Previous Editions of Latest News
In what was a huge crowd, the Perth round of the series was run in perfect conditions. There had been the warm up the week prior with the running of the large Transport Expo at the Burswood Dome which was run in conjunction with the Convoy for Kids. The Whiteline Racing, Westrac sponsored, Freightliner was a big draw card at the event with Bobby “The Builder” Middleton signing many posters. Televisions were around the Dome running highlights of crashes and near misses from previous rounds.
Friday the team took to the track for set up, warm up and the media rides. One participant got much more than they bargained for, when the Stan Seton SuperTruck blew a tyre and rolled. It seems the off road adventurer was pretty excited about his experience. The SuperTruck popped all of it’s windows and sustained some body damage, but with the use of a porta power and forklift managed to be repaired, albeit pretty breezy for Stan and his co-driver for the weekend. The Whiteline Racing Cat Powered SuperTruck sustained a broken left front brake rotor and on inspection, the intercooler was found to have multiple cracks.
Other notable new sponsors on board are Friction Plus Australasia
providing Don braking systems, pretty important in stopping 5 ton
of truck with maximum boost being provided by the Dura Lite intercooler. Saturday would see a warm up session, qualifying and one race. Practice was at 9.12 a.m. and Middleton was not happy. The Whiteline Cat Powered Freightliner had no traction with the back tyres just not working. The team discussed the issue and as such made numerous set up adjustments to overcome the problem. The team would not get an opportunity to test the changes until the qualifying session held at 11.22 a.m. It would seem the adjustments were spot on, with Middleton qualifying fastest in very convincing fashion with a 1.00.9851. The closest opponent was Daniel Bajema who was some 1.3 seconds behind Middleton. Middleton commented that the intercooler was working really well giving good boost.
Race one was held at 2.30 and was to be decided over six laps. This race and race one on Sunday would give competitors the opportunity to start out of their qualifying positions. Number one off the grid, Middleton would run a perfect race with the Cat powered Freightliner powering around the circuit to take the chequered flag, winning the first event for the weekend. On return to the pit, Middleton was very pleased with how the truck was handling and apart from routine checks, there would be no major changes. Middleton would complete the fastest lap of all competitors with a 1.01.1751. Saturday night, the team would dine at Perth restaurant Elements where Executive Chef Manfred Supper prepared and served a wonderful meal. With a big day of racing ahead we retreated back to the Resort for an early night. Sunday morning would comprise of warm up and four races. The weather conditions were frosty early morning as a bright sunny winter day was in store. The crowd were arriving early with traffic banked back two wide for miles trying to get into the track even after the SuperTrucks had run their first race. Warm up was at 8.32 and whilst conditions were slippery, once Middleton had warmed up the Cat Powered Freightliner the times were getting pretty close to yesterday’s efforts so it was decided to leave the set up unchanged. At 9.40 a.m. Race one would take place and was run over six laps. Again, like yesterday, Middleton started where he had qualified out of 1 and this is where he would remain for the entire race. No damage was sustained so the crew would carry out usual checks prior to race two. Middleton again fastest on the circuit with a 1.00.7984 Race two commenced at 11.20 and again was to be decided over six laps. This time Middleton would be at the rear of the field and would have to make his way through the traffic. Having one by one and sometimes two at a time making his way up the field Middleton would take the lead and would again take the chequered flag winning the race. Amorosso would provide anxious moments when he would lose a wheel. The wheel careered down the straight, going so fast that it was overtaking trucks with the fear being that the wheel would go over the wall into the crowd, fortunately the sand pit would prevent disaster and stopped the wheel in its tracks. Middleton would do the fastest lap in this race of all competitors.
At 1.00 p.m. Middleton attended the Westrac Corporate Facility to address staff and guests. There he answered questions in relation to the SuperTruck, the race meeting and thanked guests, sponsors and supporters for their assistance. Then it was back to business, with the final event of the day to be held at 3.05 and over ten laps. Starting rear of field and handicapped by some half a lap, Middleton knew who was ahead and what was required. Thundering around the circuit Middleton would weave his way through traffic managing to work his way into second place and in what would be an exciting finish right on the tail of Mackin. Again Middleton was quick, completing a 1.00.5645, the winners best time was a1.063158 – so had there been more laps – probably just one more, the mammoth task of being one would have been in Middleton’s sights. Whilst 2nd overall in this race, Middleton was first in the SuperTruck category. Middleton and Whiteline Racing had enjoyed an excellent meet, quickest qualifying, four wins in the SuperTruck category, 1 second from the handicapped position overall and in SuperTruck category, his track record of 2004 still in tact and no damage – we were happy campers. Oran Park is the next scheduled event on 17/18 September, 2005. Prior to this meet general checks of the valves, turbos and drive lines will take place. Our merchandise sales were excellent and made possible by the wonderful support of Jodie and Bradley Harwood; Manfred Supper and Leah Cushnie; our crew catering and needs were superbly taken care of by Vicki Harwood. Long time sponsors of Whiteline Racing, Margi and Frank Lenzi owners of Cleveland Freightlines were there to offer their support. And as always, the team at Westrac headed by Jim Walker with special thanks to Terry Harwood and Marcia Brickwood for their wonderful assistance, professionalism and support of our team. A winning team with winning sponsors, crew and supporters. Lots of excellent press coverage in this issue, some of which relates to the wins at Mallala which missed the last newsletter together with press coverage of the Perth meeting. Prior to the meet the combination of written media and television commercials certainly added to the success and the great attendance of this round. A lot of the thanks for this must go to Karen Maree Kaye and her team at West Coast Print and Promotions producers of Transport and Machinery Magazine. Special thanks to Goodyear/Beaurepaires for again assisting with the very important task of correct tyre fitting and maintenance for this event. Adrian, Jennifer and all associated with the W.A. Sporting Car Club were extremely helpful and supportive of the SuperTruck category and our team for which we are most grateful. Perth is always a highlight of our racing calendar and it gives me much pleasure to present such a positive result from this round. Talk to you after Oran Park. Yours
in racing and regards, We had a few great letters from friends and families that always come and support us... here's a couple from this round...
Previous Editions of Latest News 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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Our
kiwi crew (Terry Bee, Jeffrey, Dave) arrived on the Wednesday of
race week, in what was a long flight from their home towns. Big
Al from Goughs in Palmeston, N.Z. had arrived the week prior, spending
a few days in Adelaide, then helping Bobby with the Expo set up
in Perth held the weekend prior to the truck racing. Mark ‘birdman’
Peacock flew in Friday – nearly not making it. Friday afternoon
Mark came close to severing one of his fingers and was possibly
requiring micro surgery, but after some stitches and a bandage which,
when held up, resembled Yosemite Sam in a standoff, was west bound.
Sean, Shaz, Leah and George all made the journey Friday night, nearly
missing the flight !!
At
the right time entered new sponsor Dura Lite, where Manufacturing
Manager Grant Geary produced an intercooler giving the Whiteline
Freightliner maximum boost. Grant made several trips to his workshop
from Barbagallo to modify the intercooler to suit arriving late
for his son’s sixth birthday - we are very appreciative of
Grant’s efforts and Dura Lite.
Middleton
is the current track record holder, having clocked 1.00.3805 8/8/04,
so his qualifying time was just out of his best time ever recorded
at this circuit.
Race
three took place at 12.46 a.m. over 6 laps. Middleton again
would take his place on the grid at the rear of the field. Middleton
was having difficulty getting through the traffic in this event,
often baulked into corners. Bajeema managed a better run and was
able to clear the traffic earlier than Middleton. For each lap Middleton
was baulked behind traffic he was losing three seconds per lap.
By the time Middleton made it into second place, the race leader
had a handy lead and the Whiteline Racing team would have to be
content with 2nd place in what was a very exciting attempt to reach
the lead. Again Middleton was the fastest truck out there completing
a 1.00.9753 in the last lap once free of traffic. The race leaders
quickest time was some 2.08 seconds slower, so traffic clearly cost
Middleton the race.
