Previous Editions of Latest News
More about that later – back to reporting the story from the final round of the Australian Series, contested at Oran Park Raceway, Sydney. Wednesday would see the arrival of the kiwi crew of Terry, Jeffrey, Alan and Daniel, with Bob the Builder flying in from Adelaide also. With special thanks to sponsors Daimler Chrysler, the Whiteline Racing Crew were able to negotiate their way around the Sydney suburbs in a people mover – ultimately making their way to our accommodation at Hunts Hotel. Thursday was a leisurely day for the crew as the SuperTruck and container with spares was not due in until Thursday evening. John ‘Bomber’ Bomberle was transporting the Whiteline Racing Team’s SuperTruck and spares as well as his Hi Trans sponsored vehicle to the event, with the compliments of equipment supplied by Whiteline Transport. Friday morning the team hit the track, where the SuperTruck was unloaded and our pit area set up for a weekend of racing. Bobby took part in two of three practice sessions for the day. In the first one conditions were slippery, and the SuperTruck was fitted with worn tyres, but it was a case of ‘shaking’ down with changes including softening the rear bar prior to practice session two to get a gradual feel for the truck and the track. The times set which were in the 55’s were not indicative of the rest of the results for the weekend as you will read. Friday night the rest of the team including Mark, Sean and myself flew into Sydney.
In the Saturday practice the ‘Builder’ would attempt to bed in new brakes fitted to the Freightliner. It generally takes 3–4 laps to do this, but with only one lap completed in the session, this process was not complete. It was also noted the SuperTruck was down a couple of pound of boost – which means it takes longer for the SuperTruck to reach it’s maximum speed. The qualifying session would prove very successful for the team taking out POLE position with a 53.3679, with Rodney Crick in second and Daniel Bajema third. Still down on boost, which after running standard checks the team put down to a modified exhaust fitted since the last round to meet race sound limit requirements.
The Australian Truck Racing Association conducted their AGM on the
Saturday night after close of the program. As such, Bob was re-elected
Vice President after declining a nomination to become President.
Stan Seton will continue on as President with Middleton keen to
pursue the formation of a promotional company to ensure an exciting
package of racing for the new year to benefit all ANTRO members
and their sponsors. From the meeting came an overwhelming resolution
to have an active committee involved in further promoting the category
which is becoming more and more sought after with a huge public
following.
Sunday morning practice was held at 9.00am and despite the track being slippery due to early morning dew, but overall Middleton was happy with his Cat Powered Freightliner. Race One was held at 10.15am and was to be decided over 6 laps. Starting off in Pole alongside Rodney Crick the start was untidy predominately due to the fact the flag marshall was standing behind the wall – his uniform and flag were camouflaged with the colours of the surrounding crowd and would result in Crick getting a jump and went into turn one in the lead. It is questionable that the race should have been restarted. Racing between Cricky and Middleton was exciting with Middleton looking to seize and overtake in various positions however, when Bobby discovered that his brake peddle was going to the floor in the last lap was forced to drive according to the conditions and be content in second place. Despite a second place finish completed the fastest lap, being a 53.01. Crick’s fastest lap was a 53.44. Also looming in the back of the Builder’s mind was that, given his current standing on the yearly points poll, finishing each event and being consistent was paramount.
Officials have reported back about how the crowd were jumping out of their skin yelling and screaming with excitement as the big rigs did their thing. Race Three was held at 1.21pm and again over 6 laps. Both Middleton and Crick had started their move through the field when race control ordered that both do a drive through pit lane as a penalty for jumping the start. Following race rules Middleton completed the drive through, however, given the time lost could only make up five positions finishing in ninth. After the event Crick and Middleton were called up to the stewards over the incident, where it was revealed that Middleton had not jumped the start and was wrongly given the drive through. This certainly cost him the race, given that Crick was forced to the rear of the field with a drive through – we could have capitalized on this situation. But given the race was over, all we could do is prepare for the fourth race.
Crick would take out the weekend with Middleton in Second, but the greatest result would be Bob the Builder being crowned Australia #1.
The team immediately installed the No 1 stickers onto the Cat Power
Freightliner for all to see. Moving forward to the new season for SuperTruck racing is looking really positive with three rounds in New Zealand and potentially seven rounds around Australia throughout 2006.
We take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors and supporters because without it, we could never have enjoyed the level of success we have had. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and new year and look forward to keeping you up to date with developments within our team and truck racing in general in the new year. Yours
in racing and regards,
All photos courtesy of Daniel Jones of Goughs Auckland.
Previous Editions of Latest News May 05 Round 5: Barbagallo – Australian Championship May 05 Round 4: Mallala – Australian Championship May 05 Round 3: Winton – Australian Championship April 05 Round 2: Manfield – New Zealand Championship March 05 Round 1: Timaru – New Zealand Championship
Aug 04 Round 3: Barbagallo – Australian Championship May 04 Round 1: Mallala – Australian Championship Feb 04 Round 3: Pukekohe – New Zealand Championship Jan 04 Round 2: Manfield – New Zealand Championship Jan 04 Round 1: Timaru - New Zealand Championship
December 03 : New truck finshed with only weeks to spare before Timaru race!
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The
final round has been run and it’s official – Bob ‘The
Builder’ Middleton is Australia’s #1 in his Cat Powered,
Whiteline Racing, Freightliner!
Saturday
the conditions at the track were extremely windy with rain in the
morning. The only time the SuperTrucks would hit the track on Saturday
was for a brief warm up followed by a qualifying session. Whilst
the practice session was not scheduled, the category were given
three laps with only one lap done.
Other
categories racing on the day were all in line for 20 minute sessions.
It was decided that the newly formed committee would front the Oran
Park Management to explain the importance of these huge rigs being
warmed up with pre-race checks carried out in the interest of safety
and optimum performance of the category. As a result, a ten minute
session was granted to be held first thing Sunday morning. Saturday
night the team would eat in at the Hunt’s to celebrate the
Pole position and also discuss tactics for race day in which 4 races
were scheduled.
Race
Two was held at 11.40am and run over eight laps commencing
in a reverse grid format. In what has been hailed one of the most
exciting races ever run, chaos would ensue as trucks came together
in turn one with the entire field finding patches of paddock to
run off on to miss one another. 
Race
Four was the last event on the program and was a Superprix
event over thirteen laps. Unfortunately, lap one, corner one, Lovett,
Amoroso and Crick all had a coming together which would result in
Middleton having no where to go and sustained severe damage to the
rear of the prime mover – bars, suspension and the diff all
badly damaged, so much so Middleton was forced to retire and the
crew carried out make shift repairs so as the SuperTruck could be
loaded onto the transporter.
Apart
from repairs required to the back end of the supertruck, which from
the report we have now received from All Transport Crash will include
straightening of the chassis and realignment, extensive servicing
and checks of the entire SuperTruck will take place to freshen and
renew for the new year.