What to expect at the Brock
Posted: Sat May 31, 2014 7:44 am
The Brock is only a week away so I reckon it's time for a little sneak preview, don't you?
The Track
The power supplies have recently been upgraded by the boy-genius Stuart Bach. He has installed four new power supplies and a capacitor so that the power is now a constant 13.8 volts no matter how many cars are on the track. It doesn't drop off AT ALL during the races either. Best of all it's nice and clean, so the motors are lasting very well. It's about 1/2 a volt more than we used to have so times have improved a little, but it's the consistency that's really made a difference.
Last year the track got really really sticky as Sunday wore on, and the cool temperature made it even more grippy. That made it very difficult to get around some corners and the racing suffered as a result. Opens were exceptionally difficult. This year, I understand that the track will be cleaned after OMO so that conditions don't go crazy again on Sunday.
Finally, there have been further improvements to the smoothness and leveling of the track (again thanks to Stuart). This, too, has made things more pleasant and more consistent. The combination of the power improvements, track conditions and smoothness should make racing even more enjoyable.
Who's going to win what?
Frankly, I've got no idea. The competition will be as tough as ever, if not tougher. Let me preview some of the classes to give you an idea.
In GTP Group 12 we will probably see another titanic battle between Adrian and Russell. Getting close to them is going to be tricky. However, don't forget that Rob Ferris won the Nationals in this class and on this track in 2011 and if he's not in the mix then I'm going to point at him and laugh.
Wing 12 will be tough, tough, TOUGH! We've been racing these on Wednesday nights recently, and the track record has gone from 309 laps to 321 laps. Also, 2.6's are now very commonplace in qualifying so speeds have gone up a lot. Queensland Mick and Russell have both done 321 so expect them to be at the front of the pack. Dan Roberts will be fast (he always is!) and he's the current National Champion so that makes three obvious contenders. But behind them (and not far behind either) is a whole pile of good racers. So many, in fact, that I think just making the main will be an accomplishment.
OMO will be interesting. I have absolutely no idea who will be at the front of this but the winner will probably be one of Rick Verbeek, Adrian Bycroft, Geoff Little, Russell Gale, Queensland Mick, Stumpy, Dan Roberts or Stuart Bach. So that's only eight guys slugging it out at the front... Good luck to the rest of us.
27 Lights will be the same only more so, because even more guys race them competitively. Take the front runners from OMO and add Andy Stringer (current KW G27 champ and record holder) Wayne and Cody to the mix. If you can pick a podium (let alone a winner) from that lot you're a genius.
Opens will be the cauldron that it always is. You throw yourself in there and hope you come out the other side unscathed. The cream always rises to the top (as Adrian did last year) but how on earth can you pick a winner from Wayne, Adrian, Dan, Cody, Geoff, Rick, Russell, Mick, Stumpy, Stuart or someone else that I haven't mentioned? Remember, folks, I'm the guy who didn't even mention Jose Mario as a contender for the Nats so if you didn't get a mention here then you are probably in with a good chance. Now, who did I forget? Lindsay, Lee, Dave Fitz, Brad, Ray.......
Good luck everyone!
The Track
The power supplies have recently been upgraded by the boy-genius Stuart Bach. He has installed four new power supplies and a capacitor so that the power is now a constant 13.8 volts no matter how many cars are on the track. It doesn't drop off AT ALL during the races either. Best of all it's nice and clean, so the motors are lasting very well. It's about 1/2 a volt more than we used to have so times have improved a little, but it's the consistency that's really made a difference.
Last year the track got really really sticky as Sunday wore on, and the cool temperature made it even more grippy. That made it very difficult to get around some corners and the racing suffered as a result. Opens were exceptionally difficult. This year, I understand that the track will be cleaned after OMO so that conditions don't go crazy again on Sunday.
Finally, there have been further improvements to the smoothness and leveling of the track (again thanks to Stuart). This, too, has made things more pleasant and more consistent. The combination of the power improvements, track conditions and smoothness should make racing even more enjoyable.
Who's going to win what?
Frankly, I've got no idea. The competition will be as tough as ever, if not tougher. Let me preview some of the classes to give you an idea.
In GTP Group 12 we will probably see another titanic battle between Adrian and Russell. Getting close to them is going to be tricky. However, don't forget that Rob Ferris won the Nationals in this class and on this track in 2011 and if he's not in the mix then I'm going to point at him and laugh.
Wing 12 will be tough, tough, TOUGH! We've been racing these on Wednesday nights recently, and the track record has gone from 309 laps to 321 laps. Also, 2.6's are now very commonplace in qualifying so speeds have gone up a lot. Queensland Mick and Russell have both done 321 so expect them to be at the front of the pack. Dan Roberts will be fast (he always is!) and he's the current National Champion so that makes three obvious contenders. But behind them (and not far behind either) is a whole pile of good racers. So many, in fact, that I think just making the main will be an accomplishment.
OMO will be interesting. I have absolutely no idea who will be at the front of this but the winner will probably be one of Rick Verbeek, Adrian Bycroft, Geoff Little, Russell Gale, Queensland Mick, Stumpy, Dan Roberts or Stuart Bach. So that's only eight guys slugging it out at the front... Good luck to the rest of us.
27 Lights will be the same only more so, because even more guys race them competitively. Take the front runners from OMO and add Andy Stringer (current KW G27 champ and record holder) Wayne and Cody to the mix. If you can pick a podium (let alone a winner) from that lot you're a genius.
Opens will be the cauldron that it always is. You throw yourself in there and hope you come out the other side unscathed. The cream always rises to the top (as Adrian did last year) but how on earth can you pick a winner from Wayne, Adrian, Dan, Cody, Geoff, Rick, Russell, Mick, Stumpy, Stuart or someone else that I haven't mentioned? Remember, folks, I'm the guy who didn't even mention Jose Mario as a contender for the Nats so if you didn't get a mention here then you are probably in with a good chance. Now, who did I forget? Lindsay, Lee, Dave Fitz, Brad, Ray.......
Good luck everyone!
see ya all there.