TOURING CAR MASTERS
Hidden Valley, Darwin 18-20 June, 2010
The preparations for Darwin got into full swing immediately post Winton. It was a huge task for Mark ‘birdman’ because not only was the preparation required for the 95 Camaro of Andrew’s but the 85 Camaro was set to debut. With the distance to be travelled it also meant the cut off time to finish and load up was reduced by several days, with Bob taking off in the b-double early Monday morning on the 14th June.
On the right Tony Edwards also made the road journey
with the transporters, in his u-beaut ute with his very fast
monaro on tow, pic courtesy Rob Lang. |
Bob travelled with a number of other transporters, preferring to travel in daylight, with first stop Cagney Station, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek then into Darwin. Starting off in jeans and a warm vest, didn’t take too long into the journey to revert to shorts and a short sleeved shirt !!
Back to pre race meeting preparations. For 95 the WesTrac camaro driven by Andrew it had the diff ratios changed to suit Darwin, Diff centre type changed from spool to trutrac to achieve better turn in, rear spring modifications carried out for better wind up and weight transfer control, gearbox modifications selecting wider ratios to suit tall diff ratio, fitted different brake bias control making repeat setting easier, moved tacho to eye line for more consistent start line control, routine maintenance on brakes, repairs to minor body damage from Winton done by Pro Paint n Panel and a change to the wheel alignment settings to improve handling.
Now onto 85 – Whiteline Racing camaro driven by Bobby. As you may recall this car was imported from New Zealand to Australia so had some unique issues with regard to bringing it into line with Australian Racing Standards, for this reason along the tasks listed I will denote with S.A.R. which will reflect this.
The diff was changed from locker to spool, modification of axles to suit new wheels, modify rear brake (sar), rebuild rear springs and mounts, fit diff tailshaft yoke and joints, fit tail shaft hoops (sar) reposition gear shift, total engine rebuild including new heads, cam, manifold, carburetor, new drive system for alternator fitted, water pump and power steering pump, fit compact alternator and race type power steering pump, fit lightweight radiator and oil cooler, fit new front hub/bearing assy to suit new wheel, modify front brakes (sar) remove roll cage and fit new one (sar), fit imitation back seat and hood lining (sar), fit new seat belt (sar) alter seat position to suit Bob, fit window net (sar), re configure brake master cylinders to suit new brake sizes, install new ignition box (sar) fit catch can (sar) fit remote isolator switch control (sar) fit tow eyes (sar) adjust wheel alignment to suit TCM tyres.
Phew !!! lots of jobs !
Andrew and Bob comparing notes, pic Rob Lang. |
The pressure was on to get finished off and loaded up for the early Monday morning departure. Testing for the 85 car would have been the ideal scenario but the lack of time just couldn’t accommodate it.
On arrival into Darwin the transporters were unloaded and our pits set up. Andrew and Ron flew in late Thurs night Fri morning, with Andrew particularly jet lagged after a business trip to South Africa.
Friday two 20 minute practice sessions were allocated to Touring Car Masters. Practice 1 at 10.00 a.m. In this session Andrew would complete 11 laps in his WesTrac Camaro, with his quickest on the 7th lap and 7th fastest with a 1.19.32, some 1.5 seconds off quickest, John Bowe with a 1.17.6. The team had previously discussed trying a different rear spring set up to achieve turn in, less mid corner under steer and less diff windup. It worked, but the price being the traction it was creating was resulting in slower times.
In the second session held at 2pm Andrew completed 9 laps, with his quickest on the 2nd lap 1.19.4, so still no improvement and this was with rear sway bar and rear shock setting adjustments post practice one.
Ron, Mark and Gregg gearing up for race time.
Pic Rob Lang |
On return to the pit, the team decided to go back to original set up.
Practice for Bobby in his inaugural run was not without its headaches. The first session at 10.00, only 2 x laps were completed, which were done in 2nd gear with an electrical miss apparent. Times aren’t even worth mentioning. On return to the pit, the electrical fault was found to be suspect wiring in the connector plug to the main ignition supply.
In the 2nd practice at 2pm, again Bobby would only complete 2 x laps. The miss had gone, however, the Whiteline Camaro had developed a power surge and the oil light was coming on intermittently. Halfway into the first lap the oil gauge plummeted dangerously low, so she was brought into pit lane.
Fortunately, overnight engine developer Gregg Hayes had arrived in Darwin after a successful drag meeting event in Queensland with his own car. He was able to ascertain that the adjustment on the excelerator pedal was fully preloaded which caused fuel to flood into the motor, diluting oil in the sump.
This was rectified and in addition to normal checks, Gregg disconnected the oilers, which causes the engine to run hotter creating more oil pressure.
Friday night was a quick meal at the local tavern.
Up and at the track early for our 9.55 qualifying session. Andrew in the WesTrac Camaro would complete 11 x laps, achieving his best time in lap 4 with a 1.17.9 and was now 6th fastest. On return to the pit, Andrew was visibly disappointed to be off the third row on the grid, but felt the first race would be a good guide to where our issues may lie – is it braking, cornering, straight line speed – those kind of questions can best be measured against opposition on the track.
For Bobby, Gregg’s modifications resulted in 6 x laps completed, but still a long way to go, lots of set up issues to be addressed. Bobby found himself in very unfamiliar territory right at the back of the field, in 28th.
Crew Chief Mark ‘birdman’ busy as per usual, pic Rob Lang. |
Quickest was John Bowe with 1.16.1 followed by Jim Richards, Gavin Bullas,
Brad Tilley, Leanne Tander and then Andrew.
On return to the pit, the 85 car was now flooding so this would be rectified. With Andrew nothing major to be done, just discussion and further ‘tinkering’ to find a couple of vital seconds.
Race 1 on Saturday was scheduled for 1.45 and was to be 12 x laps, but with a delay due to a stalled car off the line, the race was reduced to 10 x laps. When the race did start, they gave the field a lap, not as a warm up lap but as a cool down lap !!!! Sitting on the start line had meant engines in cars had got quite hot, so by circulating the air through the front grill would help cool the cars down for the race.
With the green light up, the field was away with Jim Richards getting an excellent start to take the lead, closely followed by Bowe, Bullas, Tilley and Andrew in fifth. Andrew doing well to get into fifth after having experienced severe wheel spin on the start line. In the early stages, whilst Jim and JB were never threatened, Tilley and Bullas enjoyed a good tussle for third and fourth, when eventually the field settled and Bullas would be third. From start to end, Richards, Bowe, Bullas, Tilley and Andrew would be 1 to 5 respectively with a fair gap back to the rest of the field. In the meantime, Bobby got a good start in his first race in the 85 camaro, finishing all 10 x laps and managing to round up a couple. Flooding still not quite mastered, but we were certainly now heading in the right direction. Now with a few laps under his belt, Bobby has been able to start to report back to the crew what is required to get a better handling car that will go around corners, having actually completed some laps. So bad was the ability to turn corners, he actually did go off the track for a brief stint !
On return I asked Andrew what his thoughts were as to what areas on the track we were being dominated, to which he advised, coming out of corners we don’t have the same traction as the four guys in front. This was now the challenge for Mark and Ron to come up with a solution with review of tyre pressures at the top of the list. The very fact the first four cars are Fords is also a factor, in that they also have bigger heads in their engines. Two races for Sunday, so plenty of opportunity to improve and get more out of the WesTrac Camaro and who knows, maybe the Fords with more power just might run out of brakes – you’ll need to read on to see !!
Despite temptation to catch up with mates from WesTrac and Mercedes Benz who were here with customers for the Darwin event we stood to our ground and headed back to our accommodation and early tea. We had two big races on Sunday with the first an early one at 9.10 a.m.
The Whiteline Racing team drivers, Bob and Andrew, pic Rob Lang. |
Prior to race 2, the 95 Camaro of Andrew’s had it’s working side tyres changed, whilst the 85 Camaro of Bobby’s had new front brake pads fitted and the front sway bar was adjusted, in addition the back shockers were hardened all designed to give him a better handling machine to drive.
Starting order for the second race, held at 9.10 a.m. a cooler time of the day, was reverse grid of the first eight cars from race one and was over 12 laps. As a result, Andrew was starting out of 4 on the 2nd row and Bobby was towards the rear of the field – a place he was quite content to be until he really knows what this new Camaro is all about. Green light was displayed and the field was away, however, not a good start for Andrew, losing some ground. It didn’t take long for Andrew to regain his position in front of Tander, so by the completion of lap 1 the order was Edwards, Pye, Bullas, Tilley, Richards, Andrew with Tander now back behind. By completion of the 2nd, the order had altered with some spectacular and entertaining dicing taking place, which saw Edwards retain the lead, but now Bullas was in 2 and Tilley in 3. Pye was in front of Richards in 4th. Some great action continued to ensue with Edwards holding out Bullas, Richards and Bowe until the 9th lap when Bullas rounded him up, followed by Jim and JB in the tenth, resulting in Jim in spectacular fashion taking out the race, followed by Bullas, JB, Edwards, Tilley and Andrew in fifth and an on the pace Tander on his tail.
We still hadn’t found the pace we were after, particularly coming out of the corners, but in this race the Westrac camaro was more consistent. On return to the pit, the crew would raise the rear roll centre which was thought would produce a better handling car. A love tap from Tander in the last lap resulted in Andrew’s right rear sustaining a bump and significant tail light damage held together with race tape for repair on return to Adelaide.
Bobby had a significant improvement in this race, starting on the back row of the grid managed by lap 6 to make up five spaces, dropping back a spot in lap 9. Bobby and the red machine were starting to bond and with the flooding improved was able to concentrate on handling issues, which much work is still required to produce a competitive race car.
Race 3, was held at 12.30 and conditions by this time, were hot, hot, hot !! Starting positions were based on combined scores of the two previous races. This meant Andrew was out of 5 on the grid, third row alongside Edwards. With the race given the green light the field was off, for yet another ordinary start for Andrew in the Westrac Camaro with a combination of bogging down and wheel spin. This was costly and now more than ever had his work cut out for himself. Meanwhile, Richards got a great start, followed by the very quick car of Tilley, Bullas, Edwards, Bowe, Tander, Pye and then Andrew in 8th. By lap 2, the first six runners remained unchanged but Andrew had managed to round up Pye. The front eight runners remained unchanged until the 10th lap when Bowe made a move on Edwards, but this was short lived when JB suffered serious engine difficulties and was forced to pull out. The status quo continued, until on the final lap with Jim taking out first, Bullas managed to round up Tilley, which resulted in the final order being, Richards, Bullas, Tilley, Edwards, Tander and Andrew 1 – 6 respectively.
 Team members, (L to R) Ron, Andrew, Bob and Gregg looking the part, pic Rob Lang. |
For Bobby in the immaculate red 85 Whiteline Transport Camaro, he again managed to run a full race, but was plagued with fuel flooding, in fact it stalled on the dummy grid. Consistently improving managed to peg a few positions throughout the race. Racing in lap times of 1.22’s he is a second off being part of a pack of 7 car’s doing 1.21’s so is not too far off being on the pace.
Jim Richards had a great weekend and was dominant throughout achieving excellent lap times, in fact holding the track record set on 20/6 with a 1.16.96. For a better part of the races, the top few muscle cars were doing 1.17’s to 1.19’s.
With 2 x 5th’s and a 6th Andrew was overall 5th for the weekend.
Being the perfectionist he is, was a little disappointed, but feels confident that once the team get their heads together and do a post meet analysis, some further technical development will result in a better outcome.
Andrew battled a ‘Bali Belly’ all weekend having just flown in from South Africa prior to this meet and this combined with the soaring heat, appeared to deplete his energy levels which need to be at peak in this highly competitive category.
Racing over with and the formal presentation done, work began to pack up. Most of us were flying out early hours of Sunday morning with Bob set to depart in the b-double early Monday morning. The trip up had been enjoyable with Colin Gorton driving up the Triple A semi which contained the Adelaide Porsche’s and Rob Lang in control of the Tander transporter – so no doubt the return trip will be as much fun !!
Prior to all going our separate ways, we were able to catch up with Terry and Quentin from WesTrac in Perth and their guests for a get together at Char’s restaurant at Esplanade in Darwin.
Also in town were Steve and Grant from Mercedes Benz Adelaide with a group of Adelaide operators.
A great atmosphere in Darwin, friendly folk really appreciative that the teams made the journey to put on a show, but have got to say the heat, given we are in full winter now was a shock to the system !! Not to mention the midgies, that don’t sting, but ‘wee’ on you, giving the look that mozzies have eaten you alive – if you didn’t have bushmans lotion on you were in strife !!
Look forward to talking to you after the Muscle Car Masters event at Eastern Creek in September.
Kind Regards,
Shaz
In Memory
Sadly on Friday when we were in Darwin, our Crew Chief Mark, or as you all know him “Birdman” lost his brother when Michael Peacock passed away, after much suffering, from cancer. Michael’s funeral and farewell was held on Thursday 24th June, 2010 in Adelaide in what was a very moving service.
On behalf of
Bob, Andrew, Ron, Gregg and myself, the team at Whiteline Racing pass on our deepest sympathies to Mark and his family at this very sad time.
Andrew catching up with Mick Webb from Jim Richard’s team for some friendly banter, pic Rob Lang. |
Touring Car Masters Media Release
20 June 2010
Triple Crown trifecta: Richards leads 3 triples in
3rd round
The Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn delivered a triple-action Top End trifecta with three drivers each taking a clean sweep of three race wins in the series’ three classes for round three at Darwin’s Skycity Triple Crown event (NT), this weekend.
The trio of Jim Richards (Group 1), Cameron Tilley (Group 2) and Tony Karanfilovski (Group 3) each scored maximum points with three faultless performances across the sizzling three-day event.
Entering the weekend as the series leader, John Bowe threw down the gauntlet on day one, setting the fastest times in both practice sessions, despite bemoaning heat-induced car issues.
Bowe’s dominant trend continued into day two for qualifying, with the Ford hero on top of the timesheets, again ahead of Richards’ Shannons Falcon and the Rain City Mustang of Gavin Bullas.
In a sign of things to come, Cameron Tilley’s 1970 Valiant Pacer was the fastest qualifier of Group 2, while Karanfilovski’s TIFS Warehousing Alfa Romeo GTAM was comfortably ahead of Phillip Showers’ Ford Escort.
RACE ONE
Bowe started from pole position as the race one favourite but, after a delayed start to retrieve the heat struck cars of Greg Keene and Graham Alexander, it was fellow racing icon Richards who streaked off the start line to lead to the first turn.
As the pack jostled behind, Richards stretched out an early lead, while second-placed Bowe worked hard to shake off a spirited challenge from Brad Tilley and Gavin Bullas, before fiercely chasing down the Shannons Falcon Sprint.
Legend versus legend; Bowe dug deep and was all over the back of Richards, but unable to find a way around the Falcon Sprint and, separated by just two tenths of a second as they crossed the line, Richards took the opening race win.
Pic James Smith |
Hot on their heels were Bullas’ Mustang and Tilley’s XY GT Falcon for a Ford 1-2-3-4 across the line.
Further down the field, it was the Pacer of Cameron Tilley who took out the Group 2 win after battling valiantly with several of the bigger powered Group 1 cars, while Tony Karanfilovski’s exotic Alfa Romeo GTAM scored the win in the under 2-litre Group 3 stoush.
RACE TWO
Kicking off Sunday morning in less scorching conditions, the top-eight reverse-grid race two boasted an all GM-built front row, featuring pole sitter Tony Edwards in the Romac UPC Holden HQ Monaro alongside the Bob Cat Chevrolet Camaro of series newcomer, Bill Pye.
In a storming drive, Edwards maintained total control over the field and led for the first nine laps of the 12-lap battle, while his pursuers - Richards, Bullas, Tilley and Bowe - fought frantically among themselves.
Richards set a new lap record (1:16.9629m), but it was Bullas who finally rubbed past Edwards on lap nine.
Gregg assisting Bobby on the dummy grid prior to race time! pic Rob Lang. |
Edwards wasn’t going down without a fight and powered his HQ back ahead of the #1 Mustang in a memorable drag race down the long Hidden Valley straight. However, he came undone as he out braked himself at turn one, allowing Bullas, Richards and Bowe the opportunity to slip by.
The final two-laps delivered a nail-biting dice between the leading trio, with Richards getting by Bullas on the last lap to take the chequered flag.
At the end of the race, the top three, from Richards back to Bowe, were separated by a mere six tenths of a second.
Punching well above his weight in the Tilleys Automotive Valiant Pacer, Cameron Tilley once again took the fight to Group 1, finishing ninth outright and taking his second Group 2 race win for the weekend.
In Group 3, dramas for Showers’ Escort left Karanfilovski a clear run to his second race win of the meeting.
With his regular sparring partner missing, Karanfilovski continued a satisfying David-and-Goliath-style contest with Bob Middleton’s new 1970 Chevrolet Camaro.
RACE THREE
Wrapping up the Touring Car Masters’ Top End assault, the final 12-lap race saw another unstoppable charge from racing legend, Richards.
A dream run for Richards in his Shannons Falcon Sprint, the seven-time Bathurst winner led race three from flag to flag, scoring maximum points with three wins from three races and delighting the Territory fans.
But it was the awesome sideways shenanigans of Brad Tilley’s Ford XY Falcon green machine and the Holden HQ Holden of Edwards that offered up some of the biggest slides, lunges and thrills as they diced among the top five.
After starting his weekend in dominant fashion, it was a spectacular and disappointing end to Bowe’s weekend when his oil line broke on the penultimate lap, spewing oil across the track as he attempted to return to pit lane with his WesTrac Cat / Wilson Security Mustang engulfed in a huge cloud of oily smoke, throwing away an almost certain podium finish for the weekend.
As a result, Bowe dropped from the championship lead to third, while Richards’ perfect performance elevated him to the top of the series standings with reigning champ Bullas in second.
Well ahead of the Group 2 class once again, the Valiant Pacer of Cameron Tilley took its third race win while an intense battle raged between the Mustangs of Ian McAlister and Chris Stillwell, Trevor Talbot’s XU-1 Torana and Bernie Stack’s Porsche 911 for the runner up positions.
Scoring his first round win this season, ahead of McAlister and Stillwell respectively, Cameron Tilley rocketed himself back into championship contention climbing from eighth to fourth in the series points.
Despite finishing in fifth place for the round - his first time off the podium this season, Group 2 series leader Stack maintains his stranglehold at the top of the class standings.
The third driver to take three straight race wins in Darwin, Karanfilovski’s Alfa GTAM delivered an upset in the Group 3 battle as his perfect score for the weekend lifted him to the top of the class, dethroning Phillip Showers’ Northern BM Ford Escort.
Now on its mid-season break, the Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn will return as the headline category for Australia’s largest muscle car event, Muscle Car Masters at Eastern Creek Raceway (NSW) when the series resumes with round four on 4-5 September.
JIM RICHARDS
“We haven’t had three straight wins in the Touring Car Masters ever before and we haven’t had a win for a while either, so it’s been a great weekend.
“We’ve come away with only a few scratches at the end of three races and given how hard we’re battling out there, it really is fantastic racing. Really brilliant!”
CAMERON TILLEY
“When I go racing, I don’t really think I’m in Group 2; I’m out to go racing the front guys every time.
“I had some good battles with some of the Group 1 cars, this weekend, and to finish ninth outright with the class wins is a great result.”
TONY KARANFILOVSKI
“It all went to plan for us here. After a disastrous run at Winton it was good to turn things around.
“It was a good battle with Phil until he unfortunately had some dramas. I was also racing with Bob Middleton all weekend: it was pretty rewarding to be able to race with the bigger cars. ”
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