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Well it was touch and go there for a minute as to whether or not we would even be able to compete this weekend. The Aust 1 Cat Powered Freightliner only cleared the wharf on itsreturn from New Zealand on Wednesday night, even though the ship had arrived the previous Wednesday. Due to quarantine protocol requirements it was held up for a week. A special fumigation wash arranged on the Wednesday the key to securing its release. Continual rain in Sydney had delayed processing and we were pretty nervous leading up to the event. Bob the Builder flew up to Sydney on the Wednesday to attend the wharf to co-ordinate the release procedures. To have missed the first round would have been costly to us in terms of the series. Once released the Freightliner was taken to the workshop of Direct Power Steering owned by Charlie and Steve Zammit for repairs to the bonnet, bumper and front grill. We are very grateful for their offer of assistance and further cements the comradely attitude that exists in the greater part of the category. Stan Seton was also there to lend a hand to transport the container of spares taken to New Zealand out to the track. At one stage, quarantine was suggesting that the contents of the container may need to be emptied, thankfully, their initial visual inspection satisfied them and it was cleared to go.
Thursday morning Terry, Jeff and Al arrived from Auckland and the Builder picked them up in the people mover supplied by Daimler Chrysler – they headed straight to Direct Power Steering’s workshop. The SuperTruck was loaded up and brought out to the Oran Park track. T he crew were somewhat weary from travel, but also the weekend prior they had been to Hamilton for the New Zealand V8’s - everyone had an early night. In the meantime, Mick had driven up from Adelaide in the replica highway truck with the ‘A’ trailer on it – our home away from home. Friday morning the team headed out to the circuit – with some wet weather conditions still hanging around. Bobby participated in an early practice session and reported back he was very happy with the performance. The track was good and so were his times clocking in the 54.9 lap times. On return to the pit as part of general checks, the crew found however, that both of the front brake rotors were cracked. The time needed to replace them would see him miss the second session.
Ready to rock and roll, Bobby took part in the third practice session and was getting quicker and was now in the 54.4 lap times, this was despite discovering the intercooler had cracked reducing the boost from 60 psi to 40 psi. We had on board a spare Dura Lite intercooler and the team went about replacing it. The time required to do this would result in us not taking part in the media rides. Friday night, Mark and myself flew in from Adelaide. Bob was really good driving on the M5 by now, so decided to pick us up from the airport – we normally train it down. The rest of the crew stayed back at the Motel and indulged in their duty free rum – spending some time with Tony the night care taker at Hunts Motel where we stay. Saturday morning, conditions were fine and sunny – we headed to the track early for Bobby’s 8.00 a.m. drivers briefing. I cruised back into Narellan to buy the groceries for the weekend and cooked up some egg and bacon muffins which got the seal of approval from the crew. Chris from Beaurepaires and his partner Alison were on hand to assist. Chris was kept pretty busy over the weekend, rotating and fitting tyres. Breaky out of the way, I then set up merchandise.
Saturday would only see 1 practice session and the qualifying session. There was a race scheduled for co-drivers but not the main category. Saturday’s practice session was at 10.40 and the Builder would take the Aust 1 Cat Freightliner around for 11 laps. Times were quite down on Friday’s practice session, however, the state of the track was a bit tricky. The no. 6 Ben Rose entry had ruptured a fuel line and was leaving diesel around the circuit and in the previous F3 session, mechanical issues with some of the field saw oil on the track. Plenty of slip sliding, but the Builder was fairly confident the set up was on track. Quickest out there with a 55.13 at this stage. Qualifying was held at 12.30 and in this session we would complete 12 laps, being the only truck to get into the 54’s – the next quickest was the newly refurbished ex. Rodney Crick Volvo at 55.19 which has a capacity of 14 lts as opposed to our C12. The Crick entry did three more laps than the Aust 1 Freightliner but was unable to tip the Builder off the perch and we would win pole position. Also putting in quick times in third and fourth were the Zammit and Coulter entries. Steve Zammit and his team have done some serious work in the off season and have presented a magnificent 401 Kenworth for this season.
On return to the pit after the session, even though Bobby was able to secure pole, he commented the new tyres fitted were creating push and found he would have to get off the ‘gas’ to hang on to it at different sections of the circuit. The team would implement a hardened rear bar which was felt would combat the handling issues. The team then sought approval to run rear of the field in the co-driver’s race to ensure the modifications made to the Cat Freightliner were on track. The co-drivers race was at 4.30 and the intention was just to do a few laps, however, the Builder decided to remain out there for the entire 7 laps. On return he commented that the brakes were fading towards the end, but apart from this felt good. Saturday night the crew dined in at Hunt’s restaurant and hit the hay bales early.
Sunday morning saw an early start at the track – a big day was ahead, an early morning practice session with four races. Plus Bob had not had the best preparation overnight – some very inconsiderate party goers at the motel partied literally all night long – if we got an hour’s sleep I would be amazed. Anyhow, we had cold Red Bull energy drinks in the fridge and morning breakfast muffins cooked up. Jeremy from Westrac was on hand for engine support which was great. Prior to the practice session, the crew had the brakes off, grinding the wear so it was even, this was due to the fact Bob had commented that the brakes had faded. With Falk starting in 2 alongside the Builder, and so hot on the pace, cornering and braking would be the tactic that would win races. The brakes need to be at their peak so the Builder could go into corners hard leaving braking to the absolute last minute. Conditions were warm and sunny with the 10 minute warm up held at 9.00 am. The Builder found the conditions slippery but this is not unusual first thing in the morning after the night air has hit the track – normally takes a few laps to get sorted. On return to the pit, the Builder was not perturbed to be only third quickest, with Falk and Coulter respectively putting in quicker times. No-one was under 55’s – we had been doing 54’s yesterday.
Race 1 was started at 10.30 and to be over 7 laps. Starting positions were as they qualified. After a couple of warm up laps, the pace car was off the green light illuminated – they were racing. With a dream start and taking full advantage of his pole position, Bob entered into turn one leading the pack, with Steve Zammit taking advantage of Falk’s untidiness moving into 2nd, by the time they came around for the second lap it was, Bob the Builder, Zammit, Falk, Lovett, Bajeema, Coulter, Amorosso, Rose, Seton, Seton, De Gee and Christian. Going around on the second lap Falk had a huge spin, sending him infield and would not rejoin the circuit until the field had passed. Laps 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 remained relatively unchanged apart from some moves at the back of the field with Falk only managing to make up a few spots. So Race 1, number one off to a great start, only problem being main rival Falk would now start up the front of the field in the next race due to the poor finishing position in Race 1. On return to the pit the Builder commented the Cat Powered Freightliner was the most responsive and the best it had been – it would do what he wanted when he wanted, further confirming to Mark and Terry the sway bar adjustments were spot on and this combined with a great start was the winning formula. The builder was 3/10ths of a second quicker in this race than qualifying and was quickest of all the field with a 54.6 in lap 2. On inspection the crew found the brakes to be cool as they had not been used heavily in that race at all.
Race 2, was held at 12pm and again over 7 laps but reverse grid starting opposite order of last race.
Race 3, again over 7 laps was held at 1.30. When the green light illuminated, it was on – the SuperTrucks took off and were three wide going down the straight with absolutely not one inch of space available – Bob the Builder was on the outside and came from the back to be in the lead by turn 1 hotly pursued by Falk, Bajeema, Seton, Coulter, Seton, De Gee, Rose, Christian. Positions remained pretty much unchanged other than Coulter making his way through when on lap 3 in turn one Falk went around Bob when he lost drive. Laps 4 – 7 remain pretty much the status quo, until the 18 entry of DeGee hit the wall in the same spot as Zammit had in the previous race, but managed to limp in not causing a stoppage. So we would finish up 2nd behind Falk, followed by Bajeema, Coulter, Rose making out the first front runners. On return to the pit, Bob commented he wasn’t getting a lot of drive, but had picked up a lot of dirt on his tyres which was giving him a lot of wheel spin. Despite coming 2nd the Cat Freightliner was again the fastest machine on the circuit with a 54.79 on lap 4. On checking, the team found the front left brake rotor to be cracked and needing replacing prior to the Super Prix. The Super Prix was held at 4 pm and to be decided over 15 laps. Just prior to the race, I think we had all four weather seasons in a few minutes. Huge gusts of wind, thunder and some rain making conditions slightly dampened. We quickly packed up merchandise as everything was blowing every which way. Starting at the back of the grid throughout lap 1 Bob the Builder and his Cat machine would make up excellent ground going into lap 2 in fourth. In turn 1, Bobby would momentarily go back to fifth to Rose but would regain fourth further around the circuit. Laps 3, 4, Bob would be on the chase for Bajeema in third with Coulter in 1st and Falk in 2nd. Bajeema was holding Bob up badly with the front runners developing a healthy break. On lap 5, the Builder attempted an outside run around Bajeema on turn 1 but to no avail, then on lap 6 again on turn 1 made another attempt but this time was on the inside and got him, only for Daniel to get him back – the dual was making it exciting for the crowd.
By lap 10 the Builder finally got around Bajeema once and for all and he was now in the chase for Coulter and Falk. Laps 11 – 15 saw things get interesting as the leaders in the field started to encounter some lapped vehicles, however, would not alter the finishing positions which would see us 3rd behind Falk who had managed to run down the very quick SPR of Coulter. Again proving our dominance with the quickest lap on lap 3 with a 54.58 on lap 3 – it was also his fastest time for the weekend. I should explain also that technically Bob finished 2nd as the light trucks and SuperTrucks compete together but are really running 2 separate races, as the light trucks are given the handicapped advantage start. The 3 entry of Coulter was first for the light trucks, Falk was first in the SuperTrucks followed by Bob even though Coulter was in between them. The results would see the Bob the Builder in the Aust 1 Cat Powered Freightliner take out the weekend in the SuperTrucks and was the early leader in the series. The presentation was held immediately after the meeting.
There is no doubt Falk will be a force to be reckoned with this season – the ex. Rodney Crick truck is hot. Must say, the Builder kept his cool all weekend and drove exceptionally well. The truck and spares were all packed up and Mick headed back to Adelaide with the B-double combination Monday morning. The crew again dined at the Hotel and Monday morning all went our separate ways on flights across the Tasman and south back to Adelaide. AVE were there filming the event, with the program to hit SBS Speedweek May 18th and Fox Sports 21 May. Plans are now underway to prepare for the next round at Mallala Motorsport Park here in Adelaide May 16-18, which Bob the Builder predicts won’t be easy due to limited areas on the track with sufficient space to pass – there will be some effort by the field to keep the triple Aust Champ blocked in any reverse-grid races. Look forward to reporting back then… Yours
in racing and regards, Photos courtesy of Leo Rutishauser.
The Trans Tasman Series dates are : The Australian Series is scheduled as follows:
Previous Editions of Latest News April 08 Round 2: Timaru – New Zealand Championship January 08 Round 1: Timaru – New Zealand Championship
November 07 Round 5: Oran Park – Australian Championship 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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