RACE REPORT - Levels 17 October 2010
Masterpiece written by Nathan Pilcher
The racing season has just begun for the South Island Pre65 class. The season kicked off to a roaring start at the Timaru International Raceway on Saturday 16th October.
Qualifying was held on Saturday afternoon with a few teething problems for Nathan Pilcher #52 in his Ford Anglia. He was not being able to complete qualifying due to a fouled plug. Nigel Lavendar (our newest competitor) had some major teething problems and was late for qualifying, but the track operators allowed him to go out later on in the day to get some testing done. Maurie Bone lent his car to Bill Evans because of ill health and they didn't make qualifying either.
Sunday - Race 1:
With only two V8's in the field, it was obvious who was going to be at the front for the first race and Greg Stewart managed a better time from Brian Scott and held him out for the whole race to take the win. Gary Parker #47 in his Anglia had a spin and Bill Evans #37 also having a couple of spins coming out of the first chicane. Ray Hurst #4 had Nathan Pilcher on his tail for the whole of race one with only point two of a second time difference between the two racers coming of the finish line. Brian Scott #53 gained the fastest lap time with a time of 1:14.796. Ian Perry #88 in the Hillman Imp had gearbox problems, which dropped him down to finishing 8th.
Race 2:
At the AGM in June, the members voted to change the format of race two from reverse top half to a full reverse grid race, so the V8's started off the back, and Brian Scott impressively showed everyone the wrong way out of the first chicane after suffering from brake bias problems. Greg Stewart in the mustang took advantage of Scott’s spin, and gained a bigger lead to win the race again. Pilcher dropped a cylinder in his Anglia on lap one, which lead to an unfortunate DNF but still managed to have a great start off the start line. Nigel Lavender #30 didn’t make in out into race two after car problems resulting from race one. Parker again had a spin resulting in 7th place over the finish line. Bill Evans showed everyone that you don't need to get a good qualifying time to race well. Cliff Bruning #40 had a brilliant race in his Farina with a lap time of 1:20.761 getting him over the line 3rd.
Race 3:
Another reverse grid delayed start. Pilcher, Hurst and Perry were the first to be let off racing into the first corner three wide. Pilcher came out on top pulling out ahead to lead for the next lap. Hurst had an unfortunate spin coming out of the tight hairpin in lap three putting him back to 8th position. A spectacular battle was had between the V8’s the entire race and Brian Scott held off Stewart, enough to get second, but not enough to catch Bill Evans who won the checkered flag. Nigel Lavender fixed all his gremlins and had a great race, as did Gary Parker, Ian Perry, Ray Hurst, Cliff Bruning.
The next Pre65 race meeting is at Ruapuna Race Track on 30 + 31 October.
Come and watch the Anglia’s fly around the tight corners, the V8’s power up the back straight!
There isn’t anything better than listening to the rumbling of the cars lined up on the dummy grid ready to race.
