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Round 4 of the 2007 Australian Bio Diesel SuperTruck Nationals –
Mallala Motorsport Park – Adelaide, South Australia


Shaz and Bobby pleased with an overall win for the weekend.

Thanks to the argy bargy racing that took place at Barbagallo Raceway in Perth, the team had quite a bit to fix and make right again, in readiness for Adelaide.

Mark 'Birdman' Peacock, repaired the rear bumper but also modified the way in which it is attached to the Freightliner increasing the shear strength by 40%. Mark further commented that the previous bumper was designed to with stand 25 ton of force – which further emphasises the extent of the hit in Perth.
Mark also repaired rear guards, rear shockers and the mounting. The chassis has a slight 'tweek' but nothing too serious.
Different combination and size turbos were fitted so too a different Don design rear brake rotor.

The SuperTruck post Perth also attended the Paskeville Field Day and as per usual drew a crowd. The Whiteline team from New Zealand jetted in Thursday morning and despite being quite weary headed out to the track to set up our pit. On return we dined at Carmines restaurant but were all home and hit the sack early hoping our batteries would be fully charged for the weekend ahead.

Friday would consist of practice runs and sponsor rides which would give the team the opportunity to review the modifications and repairs. Conditions in Adelaide on Friday were wet and windy, however the forecast for the weekend would improve and by Sunday was expected to be 22 degrees.

Friday's first practice session Bob the Builder would complete six laps in the Cat Powered Freightliner before blowing the rear turbo. Bob commented that prior to this happening he had found a few more pound of boost to what he had which was producing more power but was short lived. The modifications to the rear end appeared to be successful even though he started out with a vibration but it is felt this was attributed to the cold tyres as it did improve as the session progressed.

Before the next session the turbos would be replaced, going back to the old faithful set. Obviously slightly down on boost, but the handling was okay with oversteer evident but manageable. The third session the team missed, however participated in media rides, completing a dozen laps. Again the cracked brake rotor problem would raise it's head, this time the front left which would need to be changed prior to Saturday's practice.
Jumping in the cabin for a couple of hot laps with the Builder was close friend and resident mcee of Whiteline Racing Alan Marks – he thought it was great and in addition it gave him a greater understanding of what it is all about when he is comparing our events. He is able to talk first hand about it.

Also worth noting was that it was a classic case of the Cat catching the birdie, 'huh', I hear you say. In the final stages of the media rides a very unlucky galah decided to wander onto the track. As it is with racing, fast and split second timing the Cat Powered Freightliner got the birdie. Certainly nothing to crow about. In Walt Disney, Sylvester never ever got Tweety Bird.

Friday night the team joined Daimler Chrysler at Zak's restaurant at West Lakes for a dinner which was most enjoyable.


Brent, Al, Shaz involved in the sound check... 1,2,1,2…

On Saturday conditions were fine and cool. The team fixed the front left rotor and fitted two new fronts and pre scrubbed rears from Perth. Handling was loose by the end of the session, but okay, despite a brake shudder and the intermittent gear changing on it's own problem had appeared again, for which the team would check all connections prior to qualifying. We completed five laps, best time was a 1.27.4 which would see the Cat Powered Freightliner the fastest rig out on the circuit.

Qualifying was held at 2.45 with Bob the Builder staying in the 1.27's clocked in practice. The best time was achieved in lap 1 and would result in a pole position start for race 1 to be held on Sunday. The gear change problem was still there, but was apparent towards the end of the session. Along side him would be Zammitt, with Bomberle and Rose on the second line behind them. Saturday Steve, Dori and Jakki would help to get as much set up as we could for Sunday, but the bulk of it would need to be done on Sunday morning. Saturday night, the team would dine at ÒAre you thinking what I'm thinkingÓ CafŽ Primo. Again not a late night in readiness for our big day on Sunday.


Al Marks all smiles with Shaz.

Sunday morning we were up and about early to prepare for the practice session and set up the marquee for the guests, which included large gatherings from Daimler Chrysler, Select Trucks and Cavpower. Of particular support to our team on the weekend was the fact that Gary Wheatley from Daimler Chrysler Melbourne and his wife Carmen joined us, so too Steve Muldoon and his wife Jane from Select Trucks in Melbourne were part of the action also.

Thanks to a wonderful army of helpers, the big top came together really well. Steve, his daughter Jenna and her girlfriend Amber, Brenton, Angie (photographer also), Mark's partner, Jakki were all great and so too Liam who did a fantastic job with the technical side of things with sound, audio and visual – just made everything so much easier. Warm up took place at 8.35 with the Builder doing a brief run a round and came in pretty satisfied with his set up.

Race 1 was at 10.00 a.m. and would be decided over 7 laps, in what can only be described glorious conditions. Taking full advantage of pole position earned in qualifying Bobby would complete the two warm up laps, behind the Select Trucks Pace Truck Argosy and would lead down the straight into the first corner in first place with Zammit, Bomberle, Bajeema and the rest of the field hot on his tail. Towards the back of the field a sensational spin by Amoroso in the No. 96 Kenworth would create turmoil with trucks headed in all directions and the Stan Seton entry hitting head on causing his windscreen to completely burst out of the cabin.


Angie and Brent take time out to strike a pose.

The position of the front runners would be the status quo for a couple of laps when he would lose the lead into 'White line' corner to Zammit thanks to no grip. Clearly unhappy, Bobby would apply constant pressure onto Zammit and would take back the lead, again on White line corner in lap 5. Laps 6 and 7 would see the lead increase taking the chequered flag for the first race of the day. In addition to winning the race, the Cat Powered Freightliner was also quickest with a 1.28.9 completed in the final lap of the race.

On return to the pit, the team discovered that the no grip and buzzing wheels was due to the new tyres not scrubbed up enough and in addition the tyre pressures were way too high – they would adjust the pressures and the sway bar before the next race. Though out this newsletter I make reference to 'White line Corner' - I say this as this was the corner where our marquee facility was. I asked the Builder why a lot of his moves were on this corner – is that he was wanting to put on a show for our guests or was there another reason !!! The Builder advises me that this is the widest part of the track, allowing trucks to go three wide and so passing attempts are best on this part of the circuit.


The stage is set in the Whiteline corporate facility.

Race 2 was held at 11.30 and would be again over 7 laps, however, this time would be required to start reverse grid at the back of the field. Once the pace truck was off the race was on with a fairly hectic state of affairs down the main straight into the first corner. All entrants were side by side with heavy braking but all got through unscathed. Bobby had just about the entire field in front of him. On White line Corner Bomber made a surge through the traffic and managed to get into third, while Bobby had got around Amoroso, followed the field through as Bomber had and was now in fourth with Bomber in his sights.

At the start of lap 2, it was Coulter, Bajeema, Bomber, Middleton and Zammit with the rest of the field following. Again in White line corner Bob the Builder managed to round up Bomber and was now chasing Bajeema and Coulter, the whole time dealing with severe understeer and a broken rotor. By lap 4 Bobby had rounded up Bajeema and Coulter to take the lead which was a great effort from the back. The rest of the race he would lead and take out another win for the day, followed by Coulter, Bajeema, Bomberle, Zammit and Amoroso. Again apart from winning was the quickest out there with a 1.28.8 achieved in lap 5.

On return the team would be faced with another rotor for replacement. There was a reasonable break until the third race, but in this time, Bobby would be interviewed by resident Whiteline Racing mcee Mr. Alan Marks. Following this interview, Bobby would head off in the pit mobile to the Enffue facility to address their corporate facility.


Jeff clearing the way for The Builder.

Race 3 was held at 1.50 and was over 7 laps. Again starting from the rear the first lap was busy. On White line corner, Bobby managed to get around three rigs and was in the chase for the front runners. By lap 5 had managed to find his way through the traffic into 5th behind, Bomber, Zammit, Amoroso , and Bajeema. Several overtaking moves were 'blocked'. On lap 5 in White line corner whilst running beside Amoroso the Builder went into a spectacular spin. Re entry to the track was hampered when Bobby found restarting the Freightliner a problem. Eventually he got the truck restarted, but by this time the entire field had gone around so he was back to square 1. Clearly fired up, Bobby went on a mission to peg off the field and in the two remaining laps did just that managing to finish in 5th, behind Bomber, Bajeema, Coulter, De Gee with yet again the quickest lap at 1.28 in lap 6, surprise, surprise – the lap of re-entry after the spin !!

The final event of the day for the SuperTrucks was quite delayed, due to the fact that both ambulances required on the circuit were in transit to hospitals due to a competitor injury and a spectator issue. Consequently racing was suspended until such time an ambulance was in attendance.
The SuperTrucks did not take to the circuit until 5.30 and was meant to be over 10 laps, but was reduced to 8 laps due to the time issue.

This would increase the difficulty of this race, as not only are the SuperTrucks at the rear but they are handicapped also, generally needing all of the laps to make an impact. Laps 1 - 3 would see the group of SuperTrucks chase and round up the light trucks and by lap 4, Bomber, Bobby and Bajeema had made their mark and were sitting in 3rd, 4th and 5th place respectively behind Coulter leading the race and De Gee.
By lap 5 Bomber and Middleton had moved into 2nd and 3rd behind the very quick Isuzu FSR of Coulter. Bobby tried several times to make a move on Bomber, however, found that he was 'protecting' his lead extremely well. This would remain unchanged with Coulter taking the win followed by Bomber, Middleton and Bajeema. Bobby whilst quickest out there with a 1.29.7 in lap 2 was not able to reach his ultimate race times, due to the fact he could not get around the Bomber. Throughout that race Bobby was dealing with a severe vibration which was again a rotor and a drop in boost, which was found to be turbo issues.
The team would need to replace the turbo's prior to loading up the Freightliner which meant the crew worked away until 8 pm that night.

So in review for the weekend, Pole position, 1st, 1st, 5th, 3rd would see Bobby and the Cat Powered Freightliner win the weekend by three points thus maintaining the lead in the National Championship also.
Truck numbers were down – 4 were unable to take part at the last moment and a blown engine for another. Spectator numbers were down in comparison to the July round, however, this was due to the large number of events in Adelaide on the weekend – a large one being the drags at Adelaide International.
Throughout the weekend, Bobby was part of television interviews for the Speed week and Fox Sports programs that will go to air and in addition, photographer Suart Grant of Stu Art Photography was on assignment for Daimler Chrysler putting together a port folio for a story they are producing.
After loading up and presentations, our team and Daniel Bajeema's team had a late dinner at Carmines restaurant in Port Adelaide.


The team crawling over the SuperTruck before racing.

Of interest over the weekend was the fact that Chris Templar who you may remember as 'The Saint' was in Adelaide driving in the Sport Sedan Series. Chris very successfully drove one of our nascars and has now purchased the Camaro Sports Sedan from us.

It was his debut weekend and certainly made an impact on the category and is destined for big things. We enjoyed having Chris, Mirrin and Dad Tony Templar over and part of our weekend. The next morning, Al, Jeff and Terry flew back to New Zealand and preparations are well underway for the final round in Sydney on 3-4 November, 2007. In addition, planning is well under way for the New Zealand series to take place in January and April, 2008. Since the weekend we have had many calls and emails which is very pleasing knowing that a good time was had by all.

We must thank our sponsors :
Daimler Chrysler, Select Trucks, Cavpower, All Transport Industries, ROH Wheels Australia, JMJ Printing, Beaurepaires, BP Australia, Don Brakes, Diesel Exhausts, Gulf Western Oil, Adelaide Truck Wholesalers and Adelaide Sign Design. Special thanks to Beaurepaires for supplying the services of Neville for our tyre fitting needs all weekend - he did a great job. A big thank you also to Daimler Chrysler for providing a crew vehicle - much appreciated.

I look forward to touching base with you all following the final round at Oran Park and I am really hoping I can report back that Bobby the Builder is Australia 1 for his third time.

Yours in racing and regards,
Shaz


Terry tete a tete pre-race with Bobby.		Barry and Lucy Fletcher make it a family day.

Don and Andy trackside.		Bob the Builder sitting pretty on the Pitmobile.

Terry contemplating set-up.		Carolyn and Steve soak up the atmosphere.

Sean and Kimmyy make a handsome couple.		Al Mark’s wonderful truck/trailer model combination on display.

Frank and son, Reece, excited to be a part of raceday...		Amber, Steve and daughter Jenna strike a pose.

Jakki taking care of business in merchandise sales.		Theo and Nancy look racy in their Whiteline gear.

John Spykers, JMJ Print with Shaz.		Al, Dori and Andy take a break on the Pitmobile.

For guys, facination with horsepower and pretty girls starts at a young age it would seem.		Vince and George struggle to come to grips with race day action.

Bob gives the thumbs up.		Jeff getting ready to head to pit lane.

Mark from SAFF making sure the SAFF promo girls are okay !!		Hank from Daimler Chrysler looked pretty happy to be trackside.

Nick from Diesel Exhausts had a busy day with his grandsons.		Doug of Gulf Western Oil enjoying race day with Maree

John and Marja all smiles on race day		Leading hand at Wing Flexible, Torie and partner enjoying a first time experience at the super trucks.

The Select Trucks group enjoying race day together		Holly, Cheryl-Ann, Johnno and Dennis part of the race day action.

Di and Gunter - new fans to truck racing.		It was a case of family affair for Steve, Brett and Bev Shearer.

Al asks Bob all the probing questions.		Shaz’s turn in the barrel with Al.

Sean, Kimmy and Virginia taking it all in		Virginia and Luch up close and personal

‘Whiteline’ Sue and husband Klaus part of the day’s fun.		Tonya of NTI Insurance and husband Tony enjoying their first ever truck racing experience !!

Paul ‘Butts’ Butler and wife Annie part of the Whiteline Extravaganza.		Charlie and Rosemary of Adelaide Truck Wholesalers get their heads together.

Steve hands Al the model ‘Whiteline’ Truck - revving up the tent		Ellen,George, Brannan and Leah make it a family affair.

Al loves posing with beautiful ladies. Seen here with Robyn May.		Truck racing brings friends together.

Operation Brake Rotor Repairs in action.		Father and son combo: Mark and Liam.

Paul and Julia all smiles.		Ellen and Leah in a special mother / daughter pose.



Wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall.

A pretty relaxed Mark ‘Birdman’ Peacock in between races.		The Cook family trackside.

Chris ‘The Saint’ Templer in his debut Sports Sedan race.		caption

Racing makes us all a little nervous.		Bob the Builder looking very pleased with another great team effort.

Flying High for CAT and Freightliner.