Previous Editions of Latest News
Round Two of the SuperTruck National Series was challenged in the home town of Whiteline Racing 21–23 July, 2006. Major highs and lows would all contribute to what was a excellent round of racing resulting in emails, phone calls and cards of congratulations from the approving guests of Whiteline Racing. Our kiwi crew comprising of Terry, Jeff and Al arrived on Thursday. Terry has just completed a two month stint in the U.S. racing a truck in hill climb events just making it back in time to take his place in the team. It was found the tyres were the issue, however, given that future racing would evolve around the new tyres, the team swapped back to the Goodyear’s and began the process of re-establishing suitable set ups to compensate for the handling problems that were now apparent. This involved adjustments to the sway bar mounts. Tyre pressures were also juggled with. By the end of the practice sessions, Bob the builder was able to achieve times a second less than the previous year of 1.26.7919 some 3.8 seconds quicker than nearest rival, the Hi Trans sponsored Kenworth of ‘the Bomber’ on 1.30.6060. Friday night the crew enjoyed a get together and meal at the Sailmaster Tavern. Saturday would see a practice session, followed by qualifying and Race 1 for the weekend. Practice was more about finding suitable tyre pressures, with the Builder only choosing to complete half a dozen laps. Qualifying was scheduled for 10.45 in fine but cool conditions. The Whiteline Racing Cat Powered Freightliner would enter the track with similar trim to practice. After completing a warm up lap Middleton put in two quick laps, circulated for another lap, then put in another fast lap. It was just as well we had achieved this result early in the session as the Hewatt entry had dumped diesel onto the circuit making conditions very slippery. Given we were some 2.8 seconds quicker than nearest rival the Bomber followed by Bajeema we returned to the pits pleased with a pole position for race 1. The ROH Wheels Sponsored Race One commenced at 2.40pm with six laps to be completed. Starting in pole, the Whiteline Racing Freightliner powered into the front taking the lead and by lap 2 was some four truck lengths in front of Bomber, Bajeema and Zammit, this would continue for lap 2, 3,4 and 5. By lap 6 Middleton was catching the slower light trucks and commenced overtaking traffic. In doing so the SuperTruck was fish-tailing in spectacular fashion losing a little ground with Bomber and Bajeema getting through traffic ‘drifting’. Bobby the Builder would go on to take the chequered flag. Saturday night the team talked tactics at the Port Anchor Hotel before retiring early for Sunday’s big day. Conditions for the Adelaide Truck Wholesalers sponsored warm up at 9.00am were wet and extremely slippery. Bob the Builder was experiencing all kinds of dramas and was not achieving any traction of any kind – simply no drive, too much power and no grip. With the prospect of the first race being conducted in wet conditions also, it was back to the pit for major changes to set-up. Once the crew had removed the back tyres, the SuperTruck was found to have two cracked back rotors which would need to be replaced. Race Two being sponsored by Select Trucks was held at 12.25pm and was to be decided over 8 laps. It was reverse grid, with Middleton obtaining an exceptional start. In the first lap had pegged off the entire field to go into position 1. This would continue into lap 2 and
had gained quite a nice lead from the Bomber. Luckily this was the case, as in lap 3 was involved in a spin, losing ground but was able to regain composure reentering the circuit still maintaining the lead, this was until Bob the Builder was shown a black flag and forced to enter pit lane for Fired up, Middleton re-entered the circuit and was in the chase, only to be shown the flag once more, for entering pit lane 2 seconds too quickly – again completed a pit lane drive through. Once on the circuit went all out to catch the field, regaining valuable positions but would have to be content with 4th behind, Bomber, Bajeema and Zammit. Again achieving the quickest laps time of all competitors, some 3 seconds quicker than the Detroit powered Kenworth of Bomber. Eager to move on, all the focus was now on race 3 sponsored by ROH Wheels Australia to be held at 4pm over 10 laps. Race Three. Again, the Whiteline Racing Cat Powered Freightliner would start from the rear of the field. Laps 2 – 4 would see Middleton negotiate the traffic to move into position number 1 by lap 5. By lap 6 and 7 Bob the Builder was well in front of the Bomber and took out a very welcome 1st place. Middleton’s racing times for this event hovered around 1.28’s while nearest rivals Bajeema and Bomber were in the 1.30’s. So despite pole and 2 wins, with the events of Race 1 on Sunday in the wet and then the black flag in Race 2 for Sunday we were just pipped for overall honors, just goes to show how damaging the wrong decision by officials would prove. There is no doubt however, who the quickest was out there for the weekend – Whiteline Racing’s Bob the Builder in his Cat Powered Freightliner. Merchandise was kept pretty busy for a good part of the weekend enhanced by the magnificent display put on by Bill and Grant of ROH Wheels Australia – the stand was very well attended. The success of the event would not have been possible with out the support of major sponsors, Gulf Western Oil, ROH Wheels Australia, Daimler Chrysler, Select Trucks and Adelaide Truck Wholesalers. In addition, corporate sponsors, BP Australia, All Transport Crash, Diesel Exhausts, Adelaide Bandag, Goodyear Tyres who also supplied a tyre fitter for both days of the event, Truckworks, Transport Connection, Complete Laser Alignment, Itchy Toe, MTU Detroit, Tyres 4 U, Mocare and NTI Insurance. Fate racing competitor Frank Amoroso was a noticeable exclusion to the weekend of racing due to serious illness and all of the team at Whiteline Racing wish him a speedy recovery. Part of our crew, Jeff and Al have remained in Aus to continue research and development of the team and are currently building a spare motor to further enhance our reliability. Terry due to work commitments has returned to N.Z. The logistics are now under way to move the SuperTruck extravaganza to the west with the most valuable assistance of carriers, Cleveland Freightlines (Frank and Margaret Lenzi), Pacific National (Thanks to David and Trevor), GKR Transport (Kevin Small) and Jolly’s/WA Freightlines (Craig and Babette Jolly). Whiteline are obviously assisting also. The team at Westrac, Terry and Marcia are working away to provide what is an excellent corporate facility for their some 300 guests. Karen Maree Kaye Managing Director of Transport and Machinery has secured major support in the west by way of corporate rides and sponsorship to ensure the success of the round at Barbagallo.
Pickles Auctions are major sponsors of the event as organized by Adrian, Jennifer and the team at the W.A. Sporting
Car Club. Some great photos taken by Angie, Kim and Al caught magical moments on the weekend some are included and others will be sent out. Again, thank you to all those who attended and supported our event – it makes the Builder and his team strive for bigger and greater things. Yours
in racing and regards, PS… Following are some of the emails we got after raceday... we love hearing from you, so keep sending them in...
And the photos...
Previous Editions of Latest News May 06 Round 1: Oran Park – Australian Championship
Sept 05 Round 6: Oran Park – Australian Championship 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 Whiteline Racing Cat Powered Freightliner completed two practice sessions, the first one with the new FAI approved race tyres from Luxenberg fitted. The team was far from happy with the session so for the second session swapped the tyres back to in stock Continentals to gauge whether the problem was tyre related or as a result of something else.
On return to the pit, Middleton explained to the crew he felt as if the diff was unloading and was concerned about a ‘banging’ noise he could hear. On inspection, the crew felt this was due to broken gear box mounts which they were able to do a temporary repair to by placing rubber blocks in their place. It was found the gearbox had been moving side to side. Middleton was the quickest SuperTruck for this race in excess of 2.5 seconds faster. 
Race One being sponsored by Daimler Chrysler Australia was held at 10.50am and conditions had not improved. To give you an indication, we had been doing 1.26’s – the entire field was reduced to laps in the 1.40’s as high as 1.59’s. Needless to say, the horror of the warm up would continue for the builder who reclaimed his ‘gardener’ title with spectacular spinning and drifting. One especially big one on what I dubbed Whiteline Corner – right where our guest marquee was situated – all watching pleased to think that Bobby was doing it especially for their entertainment !!!! Best placement we could achieve in this event was fifth, however, we would again ironically take out the quickest time for the race of 1.40. We were just pleased to return to the pit with no damage and with conditions looking as though they would improve continue to prep up for Race 2.
On return to the pit, the Builder attended the stewards office where it was revealed they had incorrectly penalized Bob. The tower was working with a superceded grid sheet to the one that was being used in pit lane. The grid sheet in pit lane was correct and that was where we started. Obviously they were full of apologies, however, from our point of view their admissions of making a mistake did not give us back the race which we were leading by an entire straight, nor the critical points for the weekend, and further, the championship.
Special thanks must go to the great crew of Mark, Jeff, Terry and Al, with additional support on the weekend from Angie, Doriana, Andy and Ellen.
Doug – Gulf Western
