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Well it is fair to say that the final round and decider in Sydney would prove to be challenging to say the least. By day’s end on Saturday we were wondering if our year was about to crumble. Would it? You’ll have to read on… Since Mallala and in preparation for Sydney, Mark would change a back brake rotor which made in total 6 for the Adelaide round. In addition the front suspension would be changed to suit the Oran Park circuit, a new windscreen fitted and new mufflers. She was loaded and resident team transporter driver Steve, headed North East to Sydney town. Incidently, Steve has now earnt another title of Steve McMuffin – he makes the team the best bacon and egg muffins each morning – thanks Steve !! Jeff and Al flew in from New Zealand on Thursday, so too the Builder from Adelaide. On the Thursday the team would set up out at the track and removed and installed two remanned turbos built by Terry in New Zealand. Given the on going issues we have had with turbos wanted to take full advantage of Friday’s practice sessions to see if they would hold up and produce the boost required. The team also headed out to N & K Transmissions to collect a test kit from Nick, so that on the Friday they could run through results from the practice sessions to see if any more light could be shed on the ‘changing by itself’ gear problem that has been showing it’s head throughout the season. After getting lost several times, even with gps assistance, Jeff and Al got it sorted !! Thursday night the team dined at the local pub and stayed in at our accommodation to see in Bobby the Builder’s birthday which was on the Friday.
Friday – Okay – unbelievable rain fall – in fact, the boys have told me it was like the river of Babylon through the pit. So hard was the rain, the team did not run in the first practice session. In the second practice session prior to the media rides, on the 2nd lap, Bobby spun into the same sand trap as the first round this year and revisited the scene where he hit the wall, narrowly avoiding history repeating itself. Instead of being Bob the Builder or Bob the Gardener the team had created a new title, Bob the Plougher !! This corner is a difficult one for the builder, putting him at odds with his left hand drive. Having completed some 10 laps in the wet and slippery conditions Bobby returned to the pit. Completing some 10 laps in the media session, on return to the pit, the team would replace a broken right front rotor. Bobby also complained that she was loose in the back end, so comparing set ups from last time at Oran Park, bar adjustments were made. We were also experiencing some technical issues with the electronic equipment on board. Travelling from Newcastle was Barry Corbett an excellent supporter of the Whiteline Racing Team. On arrival at Hunts, Tony who has been in charge of security there for some 17 years and a good friend to the Whiteline racing team had arranged a big black forest birthday cake for Bob – so we stayed up for a while, celebrated with the cake and turned in for the night.
Saturday morning came and the weather was bad. Pouring with rain with cloud heavily closing us in. We were scheduled for a practice session and qualifying. Practice was held at 10.55 where we would complete 10 laps. By lap 4 Bobby was some half a second in front of the rest of the field, so decided to come in. The team checked tyre pressures and whilst this was happening, Hewat, Bomberle and Zammit put in some quick times. Re-entering the track, there wasn’t enough time in the session to achieve clear laps in which to reproduce a quick lap time, so exited the session only 4th fastest, certainly out of character. Experimenting with tyre pressures, they tried dramatically less tyre pressures hoping this would achieve traction, however this would back fire and in fact saw the Builder just scrape the wall on entry to pit straight. Qualifying was held at 3.35 and conditions still not good. Completing 12 laps, the times were not good and we were well off the pace, in fact, only qualifying in 5th with a 56.2824. On return to the pit, the builder’s colourful description was “it handled like a bucket of s---“ He’d been yelling through the headset to the crew he just wanted to park it up. He said it was the worst it has ever been, had developed push and in addition no grip. To add to his woes, the No. 12 Yardy entry had blown a transmission and the oil was around the track. Bobby was one of the first trucks to go through it due to being unusually late onto the circuit for qualifying. As a rule he likes to be first out to get a clear run. Bobby commented this was one of the worst days ever. Zammit one of the contenders for the Aus title had qualified up in 2 which was a worry, but the Bomber was having a day not much unlike ours and in fact qualified after Bob in 7th.
The crew decided to dramatically change the set up with the plan Bobby would run the Cat Powered Freightliner at the back of the field in the co-drivers race to see if there was any improvement. However, Mark’s face and my ability to lip read told me this was a no go with the officials in a mix up denying him access to the circuit. This now meant we would only have the brief warm up on Sunday morning to test the changes. The feeling in the camp was not good. It is true to say we really missed Terry – he was unable to get to Sydney due to work commitments. Terry brings technical know how very important to the team and in addition the final moments he and Bob have together before races and after races are important to the Builder. The preparation felt out of wack. Stan also organised a magnificent Bob the Builder Birthday cake especially for Bob – you could see he was really chuffed. Feeling frustrated and tired, Bobby did not join the team for dinner choosing to hit the sack early in readiness for what Race day would bring. Sunday we awoke around 5.00 a.m. to the sound of heavy rain – needless to say that caused us considerable concern. The forecast was not good. However, on arrival to the track, the cloud cleared, the sun shone and the flies were in plague proportions. We had gone from gumboots and umbrellas to hats, sunscreen and bug spray.
Race 1 was held at 10.45 and over 8 laps. Starting out of 5th, after two warm up laps, the pace car was off and they were away. Into turn one on the first lap was able to make up 2 positions and got into third. Here would be where he would remain until the third lap, where again in turn one was able to make a move on Rose and took over 2nd position behind Zammit. Laps 4 to 8 saw the Builder close the gap on Zammit on several occasions, however, was never able to safely negotiate a take over manoeuvre and in addition was very conscious of the importance of finishing each of the races in order to retain the championship. So finishing 2nd behind Zammit, Bob had put in his quickest time so far for the weekend with a 56.0456 – even better than qualifying. Bomber still not out of the championship finished 5th in that race which was beneficial to our cause. Race 2 was held at 12.30, again over 8 laps – we were starting back of the field. The quick Beau Hewat No. 81 entry started out of pole as he was black flagged in race 1, so due to reverse grid was benefited by this outcome. After a couple of warm up laps, they were off, and in the first corner, Bobby had moved into 9th, then 8th all on the initial lap, then by the third lap into 5th behind Hewat, Lovett, Bomberle and De Gee and was on the chase, with rival Zammit some several placings back. Next thing the yellow flag was produced when the O’Connor entry hit the wall entering pit straight. The tow truck was required and saw laps 5, 6, 7 and 8 completed under the safety flag resulting in the end of the race and the chequered flag. Prior to the yellow flag being produced the Cat Powered Freightliner would put in the quickest lap of the field with a 57.0623 on lap 2.
Race 3 was held at 1.45 and over 7 laps. Again starting from the back, competitive racers in Amorosso, Coulter, Rose, Zammit, Bajeema were all in front of Bobby at the start. Turn one was looking really ugly and Bobby was being held up and unable to do much with his position until lap 4 where a successful move was made on Lovett. In lap 5 running side by side with Bajeema, Bobby pegged him off and was now after the Bomber who was next in front, but 6th behind Amorosso, Rose, Coulter, Zammit and Hewat. Unable to improve on this would finish in 7th with Zammit and Hewat relegating Coulter back into 5th. The Cat Powered Freightliner was again quickest out there with a 55.4515 achieved on lap 5. The final round for the day was the Super prix. This was to be 10 laps however, due to the program running behind schedule was reduced to 7 laps. In the super prix, we not only start from the rear but handicapped also.
Zammit and Hewat both managed to get under the builder but with Seton and De Gee relegated down the field, meant he would remain and finish in 5th. Whilst conservative, Bobby’s sights were clearly set on the Championship as opposed to a weekend win. So qualifying 5th, a 2nd, a 5th, 7th and a 5th, Bob would tie with the Rose entrant for 2nd place for the weekend with Zammit winning the weekend. Bomberle came 3rd. So for the third year running Bobby the Builder in his Cat Powered Freightliner would be No. 1 in the series. Not exactly a relaxing weekend or without incident, but the end result was what we wanted – and that is top placing in the series. On return to the pit, the rear bumper was straightened and bolts re fitted. We went about sorting through what needed to remain in Sydney for transport by sea to New Zealand for the Trans Tasman Championship. Throughout the weekend AVE were filming and interviewing teams for production of the Speed week segments to be aired some time soon. That night the yearly presentations took place at Camden Golf Club and was partially hosted by Bobby McGee with acknowledgements and presentations by Andy Fisher of Australian Bio Diesel – Enffue and Club President Stan Seton. Rob Curkpatrick was in attendance also. Jan Little was there to present the awards in Doug’s memory - great to see her part of it all. A good night was had by all with Jeff taking home the Aus 1 trophy for Terry who was missed big time in Sydney. Bob and I received very special gifts from ANTRO in recognition of our efforts for the club which were well received – thank you. The Trans Tasman Series dates are : Heading over to New Zealand will be exciting for us and our team given they are from there and it will give us the opportunity to fly the flag for Cat Dealers Gough. The Australian Series is scheduled as follows and will kick off in Sydney:
Special thanks to Beaurepaires for providing Brad for our tyre fitting needs over the weekend and Jeremy from Westrac for assisting. Nick from N & K Transmissions was of great assistance and it was pleasing to see him and his son at the circuit. Mark from Enffue was his usual helpful self and it is clear he enjoys the truck racing scene. Trevor Page Racing head, Trev picked up the Builder and our crew from the airport Thursday – thanks again – you are always a great help to our team. And congratulations must go their way, the main driver for the team, Steve Coulter took out the Aust 1 for the Light Truck category in their very quick No. 3 isuzu entry. Thanks too, must go to Ben Rose at TRN where the SuperTruck and B-Trailer are currently stored. Ben is removing the gear box and transmission for repairs prior to being shipped to New Zealand. Daimler Chrysler also assisted by providing a team vehicle to ferry the crew from airports, the track and accommodation. I look forward to touching base with you all post our first round in Timaru and apart from thanking everyone for their continued support of our team I wish you and yours a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and new year to follow. Yours
in racing and regards,
Really good photos courtesy Rob Lang, Grease Monkey Concepts.
Previous Editions of Latest News October 07 Round 4: Mallala – Australian Championship August 07 Round 3: Barbagallo – Australian Championship June-July 07 Round 2: Mallala – Australian Championship
November 06 Round 4: Oran Park – Australian Championship October 06 Round 3: Barbagallo – Australian Championship July 06 Round 2: Mallala – Australian Championship 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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