2019 Australia Day Classic - Retro Can-Am

[Mark Fox]

Hi All,

First race of the year saw a small field of only 7 turn up for the Retro Can-Am Australia Day Classic.

Regulars; Mark, Neil and Darryl wre joined by relative new comers; Jason (Brooksy) and Ben Benno) together with Jake from a lay-off and a previous winner Charles from a long lay-off (virtual retirement).

Qualifying

Brooksy blitzed (with a Cody loaner) and Benno also joined the sub 5 second lap club (with my loaner).

Whilst comfortably doing 4.9’s in practice I could not get it together at all which is unusual for me – the screaming Wing 12’s on the Big Track just killed my head and I had forgotten my ear plugs.

Would not have knocked off Brooksy though for sure as he was smokin fast.

01-Qual.jpg (39.71 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

B Main

02-IMG_1042.jpg (165.58 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

Well this was a real ding-dong battle Jake initially leading after the first bracket only to be supplanted by Neil in the second who then led to the start of the sixth where he had Black; his favorite (not) lane.

In the sixth bracket Charles made a minor break though to lead Neil and Jake by a lap.

Going into the eighth it was Charles by a lap over Jake who had a lap over Neil with all finishing on good lanes it was up for grabs.

Disaster struck as the lap counter on Orange failing to count all laps and so a good race finished with a bit of a whimper as totals were adjusted by excluding Orange leaving Charles the winner on the bell over Jake and Neil an unlucky third.

03-B Main.jpg (63.42 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

04-IMG_1043.jpg (122.98 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

05-IMG_1044.jpg (73.63 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

06-IMG_1046.jpg (93.43 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

07-IMG_1049.jpg (127.39 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

A Main

With Orange lap counter looking flaky it was decided to carry on until someone (Brooksy) used Orange and if it did not count then we would have a bye on it and adjust for whatever Brooksy had scored.

08-IMG_1052.jpg (147.55 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

09-IMG_1057.jpg (104.95 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

10-IMG_1056.jpg (77.43 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

11-IMG_1055.jpg (76.08 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

12-IMG_1058.jpg (91.54 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

As Brooksy started on Purple I was able to lead for the first two brackets but only by a lap by the time he had finished the death end of the track. At the end of the third it was Brooksy one lap on me and Darryl followed by Benno who had had Purple and Black to contend with in this set of three brackets. After that it got all weird re who had what laps so it was a question of just going hard and that is exactly what we all did with Brooksy leading the way. In the end it was Brooksy by 9 laps over me with Darryl 4 adrift but 3 ahead of Ben. [attachment=7]13-A Main (Marked Up).jpg

14-IMG_1054.jpg (118.1 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

15.5-Wash-up.jpg (66.85 KiB) Viewed 5301 times

Not an ideal night but fun as usual.

The track was in pristine condition thanks to James and Joe for giving it a wash and re-condition a couple of days earlier.

Next race 2nd Feb on Short Track for Can-Am and F1.

[stoo23]

Hey Guys
Sorry I couldn't attend and add to the numbers. Had Not been feeling the best and along with being temporarily penny-less the exasperating Heat, I was Totally Un-Prepared and Not in 'Slot Car Mode' at all,.. lol

Thanks for the report as Always Mark.
Even with Only 7 starters, seems like there was some Good racing !!

Great to see Charles back for a race !!,.. I hope he manages to attend a few more races once again this year !!,.. and similarly with Young Jake !!

Congrats as well to Jason on what I am sure was a Well deserved Win !!!

Bummer about Orange lane btw !!??

See you all soon.
cheers,
Stoo

[neiljb]

Thanks Fox. Nice report.
Stinky, effing hot weather. But fun, close racing.

[dtslot]

Thanks Mark, great report,,,,,really enjoyed the fast clean racing ,,and great company,,,,thanks to all..
think I sweated about 2 kg ,, sure is a harsh summer
lets hope for cooler weather next race,,,,,,,,Darryl