RACE REPORT - 2006 NSW STATE TITLES (by Steve O'Connor)
The
2006 IC NSW Titles has been run and won over the Easter break at the John Grant
International Raceway at Moorebank. As usual PDNR had a good turnout of drivers
for the event. PDNR have been well represented at all major events throughout
Australia in the past few years, but this NSW Titles would be our best ever
turnout at an AARCMRCC event. We had four drivers contesting 1/8th scale, eight
drivers in Nitro Tourer and five in Pullstart. I would have to say without a
hint of bias that we were the best represented club at the event. We also had
many members come out for a look and give our drivers support over the course
of the event which is also a great sign that our club is in great shape.
The weather was looking very unkind as Thursday practice was a washout, Friday came around with clear blue skies much to the relief of all the racers. The race format was 5 min practice in heats, followed by 3 rounds of 10 min qualifiers for the Friday. 3 more rounds of qualifiers for Saturday with all finals to be run on Sunday.
PULLSTART
Grahame Jones - First major outing in a touring car, had engine problems early in the qualifiers. Once the engine was sorted car setup issues became apparent. All issues seemed to resolved by the Sunday and was looking for a big result in the final. Had a good start in the final and lapping nicely until the throttle linkage came loose. Spent the last 20 mins driving around at ¼ throttle, had an interesting battle with Peter Willis towards the end of the race. Qualified 9th Finished 5th
Peter Willis - This was Peter's first time out racing other than PDNR events. Drove around pretty well and will be better for the experience. Car lacked speed in the final but stayed out for the 30 mins, entertaining racing with Jonesy in the last ten minutes of the race. Look for a better result next time out. Qualified 8th Finished 7th
Mark O'Connor - First trip to Morebank for Mark and in an unfamiliar car. Had a very shaky start then settled down and drove well. Had a few electrical problems and missed a couple of qualifiers. Was on song in the final and sitting in 3rd when the engine decided to impersonate a hand grenade. Will return for the Winter Champs better prepared. Qualified 7th Finished 8th
Joe Patane - Seasoned campaigner and one of the favourites to take out the title. Drove like a weapon in the Qualifiers and held TQ after Round 2. Looked like a possible winner going into the final if the car stayed out for the full 30 mins. A failed servo ended the dream early in the race. Qualified 2nd Finished 9th
Kevin Maton - Another seasoned campaigner, Had V-One-S Guru Micheal Turner set up the car and it showed. Some good laps in qualifying but struggled for a clean run. Come Sunday and it was a different story. Kev took the lead fairly early in the race and never looked back, drove fast and smart and took the title. First PDNR AARCMCC title winner. Qualified 6th Finished 1st
NITRO TOURER
Jack Umenburger - Back to the big stage after a bit of a break other than PDNR Events. Drove the car like a champ in the qualifiers, had a few flame outs but still managed to get a good result on the board. Made it into a semi without having to risk a bump up final. Drove well in the semi but was a little outgunned in a class field. Great result and it wont be long before he gets even better so look out. Qualified 18th Finished13th
Steve Valetta - Long time PDNR racer but just getting started on the big stage. Struggled for a good qualifier while showing some good form. A few mistakes proving costly in the ¼ final. Will be a bit disappointed with this result but there is room for improvement next time out. Qualified 26th Finished 26th
Micheal Turner - Been one of PDNRs well travelled racers and he saved his best for this event. Since switching to the RRR has been on the improve. Just missed a berth in a semi without having to bump up. Micheal blitzed the field in his 1/4 final and moved into the semi with Jack. Great drive in the semi with a mistake in the last stages costing him a top ten berth. Will be knocking on the door again next run. Qualified 20th Finished 12th
Liz Fenech - First major event and handled it like a veteran. Liz improved with each run on the track. Has now had a taste of the big time and I think it is a safe bet she will be back for more. Had a run of bad luck in the qtr final and didn't move up. Qualified 24th Finished 24th
Tony Firth - PDNR legend again didn't disappoint, has had good results at most major meetings in the last few years and this was no exception. Qualified solidly straight into a semi. Tony started his semi nearly a lap down due to an error in the pits [forgot fuel :-)] but still managed to drive his way into 3rd spot with a fast enough time to slot into the main event. Drove well in the final with a few errors costing some time. Good finish in a very classy field. Qualified 13th Finished 6th
Steve O'Connor - Another of PDNRs well travelled racers, Struggled with consistency and couldn't get a good run. Needs to negotiate back markers with more precision. Travelling along nicely in the qtr final looking to bump into the semi and made an error on the back straight and lost a shock, all over. Qualified 25th Finished 31st
Joe Patane - Another familiar face at racetracks around the country Joe is no stranger to Moorebank. Had a tough time in the qualifiers running an unfamiliar chassis. Got it together in the qtrs and held on to third spot to squeeze into a semi. The quality of the semi was always going to make it hard to progress any further and Joe ended his pro tourer run in the semis. Good result. Qualified 30th Finished 17th
Kevin Maton - Managed a few decent runs in this class but mechanical failure ended his run a bit early. Made up for it in pullstart. Qualified 32nd Finished 37th
1/8th SCALE
Kevin Maton - Lapped around fairly consistently in the qualifiers then destroyed the engine in the semi final. The car showed potential and with a decent engine a better result is just around the corner for Mr Dozer! Qualified 15th Finished 16th
Scott Tompkins - Scott's first drive for a few months, but it didn't take long to clear the cobwebs. Improved with each run in the qualifiers and a few breakages proved costly. Scott was lapping around nicely in the semi until the rear shock tower turned into a jigsaw puzzle. Certain top ten next year. Qualified 12th Finished 14th
Steve O'Connor - Car was fast but when it breaks every run a good qualifier isnt on the cards. Taken out in the semi by a backmarker, not happy. Qualified 14th Finished 15th
Steve Valetta - First time out of PDNR in the big banger. Major engine dramas until the last qualifier when a borrowed engine was installed. Had a decent run in the last round and got to do a few laps. Drove a nice clean semi and was still on the track at the end in a very messy race. Qualified 14th Finished 11th
All in all it was a great event and very well run. Well done to all drivers and club members that came out for the event. You have all done PDNR proud.
Top 3 for all classes
Pullstart - Kevin Maton 1st , David Ryan 2nd , Alan Cederblad 3rd
Nitro Tourer - Simon Nicholson 1st , Darrin Campbell 2nd , Craig Hawkins 3rd
1/8th Scale - Stewart Grant 1st , Leigh Dytor 2nd , Harry Poppodoppolus 3rd.
You can view more Race Reports at the NSWRCRCC website. Visit www.ozemail.com.au/~selectrc