Round 4 of the 2009 Australian SuperTruck Championships
Hot weather, hot racing and Bob the Builder on a mission to finish on a high note dominated the weekend, in what was billed the “Last Blast”. John Farnham has had something similar and seems to keep coming back, so I guess time will tell!!! Last run for the SuperTruck had been Barbagallo, but she came home unscathed from that event so preparation was fairly routine and included an oil change, checks of the set up and water system and balancing of turbo parts to have on standby for spares. Terry and Jeff flew in from Auckland Thursday lunchtime and the boys headed straight for the track to unload the SuperTruck and set up the pit. Conditions incredibly hot made the task a little more wearing than usual, especially for Jeff who had left snow at home! That night we stayed in and relaxed with a bbq tea. Friday we would take part in 2 x practice sessions followed by media rides at the end of the day. In the first session the builder would complete 8 laps, 2 of which were cool downs. Bob the Builder reported back that the CAT freightliner was experiencing pretty bad under steer which was creating no front tyre grip but in Mark’s words the track temperature was off the planet – 44 degrees so this can make it somewhat difficult to diagnose the problem.
However, on return to the pit, it was discovered the sway bar had cracked. Mark went about welding it where the crack was and also spot welded in other areas that showed signs of wear and fatigue. In the life of the truck it has had two sway bars and it seems that three years on the dot they give up. In the second session we did a similar amount of laps, with the Builder still finding the CAT freightliner difficult to steer up front, so a rear bar change helped, but made the rear taily, which is a better result. On return to the pit though, the crew again altered this to make it less taily for safety in the media rides scheduled for later in the day. Media rides were held at 4.15 with Cameron and Steve guests of Complete Laser alignment having hot laps, Margi Lenzi of Cleveland Freightlines, Tim McArdle went for a spin and I went for my very first spin in the truck!! Normally I miss out due to sponsor commitments, plus I am often not at the tracks through the day on the Friday, but this time, being the last time at Mallala got a shot – and it was fantastic.
Screamed most of the way, hung onto my belts for dear life and was amazed at the extreme ‘rolling’ sensation you feel in the cab – to the point you feel as though she is going to tip over. Needless to say we didn’t and it was great. Years ago with the previous race truck, I sat in the passenger seat in New Zealand for an entire warm up session that was pretty cool, but the speed and ‘violent’ braking, stop, start is something you don’t imagine watching from the grandstand. I can see why Bob enjoys it so much. Up early and headed to the track Saturday morning, early practice session scheduled for 9.35 in which we completed 6 x laps. Bob the Builder was easily the quickest out there by in excess of 2 x seconds, although reported to the crew on the 2 way that the front had a shudder. On return to the pit, a right front rotor was found to be the culprit. On our arrival at the track in the pre check session, the crew found a cracked left front rotor which had to be changed before the session. Qualifying was at 11.25 with the builder only doing three laps with his quickest time on the first lap and so far this weekend with a 1.261, his nearest rival was Zammit’s some 3.2 seconds off the pace. Waters 3rd and Hewat 4th. General check over was performed, with Terry making sure the turbos were in tact on return to the pit. No races for the SuperTrucks today, all events on the Sunday. In somewhat controversial circumstances, three of the trucks were penalized for speeding, one of these trucks being Zammit’s in the Kenworth currently leading the series. As a result of two speeding infringements Zammit’s would lose 6 x points. This combined with the Builder achieving pole meant we had picked up 8 points in the championship. At the start of the round we were 20 points behind, the result of two dnf’s throughout the season, so now the gap going into Sunday’s racing was now 12 points. Still a big gap, but racing is a funny game who know’s what the day will bring, read on to find out!!!!
Post racing Saturday ANTRO had their AGM and following this, the team headed to Rivabello for dinner- worn out and tired from what can only be described as oppressive conditions it wouldn’t be a late night. Another significant outcome from the AGM was the appointment of Rob Waters of Daynite Towing Team to the job of President, ending a long reign by Stan Seton. The No. 81 team – Skitzo and Son came up with a very innovative idea – a blow up swimming pool which the gang sat in. I was picked up at one point off the ground and thought I was going to be slam dunked but managed to squirm out of it!! Sunday was hot, hot, hot. We were at the track early to not only prep the SuperTruck, but to set up the marquee for the day ahead. Liam and Mark did a great job setting up the electrical and sound whilst Brent was installing the banners. Angie and myself set the tables. Normally I have beautiful fresh, yellow gerberas for the day, but given the heat knew they wouldn’t stand up to it, so thanks to Margi, everlasting artificial flowers were made up and looked great. Dori and Andy arrived ahead of schedule also to lend a hand with Dori helping all day with merchandise. First practice was held at 9.30 where the Builder completed 4 laps. The track was slippery mainly due to early morning and whilst slower than yesterday was some 4 seconds quicker than Hewat and Zammit. Race one was held at 10.22 and over 8 x laps. The builder would start out of pole with Zammit alongside him. The Freightliner pace truck was off and the field continued to do one more warm up lap before being given the green. Turn 1, lap 1, the builder lost his lead to Zammit, with Hewat also making a charge. Despite this, it wasn’t long before the Builder regained the lead and would continue to increase his lead, even though on lap one a shudder had developed due to a front left rotor being cracked. Not only taking the win would also prove to be the quickest out there in excess of a second.
On return the team would go about replacing the rotor in preparation for the 2nd race at 11.25. Given starting positions were where you finished in the first race, the builder got to start off pole. The race was over 8 laps and the builder got a great start taking the lead and never missed a beat leading and in fact increased his lead as the race went on. Bomber was providing excitement from the back of the field, making his way through the light trucks, but was forced to retire early in the race when his Kenworth was getting too hot. Race three was reverse grid and over 8 laps. With the race given the green light, Beau made an exciting charge through the field from the back, at one point with trucks three wide to be into 2nd by turn 1 and by turn 5 was in the lead with Bob the Builder in 1 and Zammit in 40 following him through. Beau would continue to lead until the 5th lap when the builder made a move entering the S’s which would see him take the lead with Beau in 2 and Zammit in 3. The entire time the Builder was behind Beau the racing was exciting - Beau’s taily rear end providing some excellent blocking tactics. The entire field were running slower in this race, however, the builder was still the quickest and now had his third win under his belt. With a bit of time now before the final race of the day Blanco catering, with Lisa in charge of our event as she has done for the last few years, served up a very yummy lunch whilst resident mcee Al Marks addressed the guests interviewing the Builder and drawing of the raffle took place. 4.50 the super prix took place, with the light trucks up front with a gap to the SuperTrucks set up reversed grid and this time over 10 laps. With the race underway, it didn’t take long for the SuperTrucks to consume the field of light trucks and by the start of lap 3, 81 Hewat, 40 Zammit and 1 Bob the Builder were 1 – 3 respectively. From laps 3 – 7 these three SuperTrucks provided some great entertainment with their close racing, when under brakes, going into the S’s the builder made a great move on Zammit and Beau to take the lead.
Once in front the builder continued to increase his lead whilst Zammit and Hewat continued to enjoy a competitive tussle, when on the final lap Zammit got out of shape, but managed to regain the field finishing in third. The builder’s quickest lap was some 5 seconds faster than the rest of the field. Scooping the pool for the day, pole, and four wins coupled with his incredible lap times seeing him 1 – 5 seconds a lap quicker than his nearest rival is testament to his multi winning championships, which brings me back to my earlier paragraph regarding this year’s championship. Had the decision by the committee been upheld, that each team would drop their two worst race results, this combined with Bob winning every race on the weekend and Zammit’s pinged for speed in qualifying the Builder would have won his fifth championship. However, as reported in a decision that arose from the earlier AGM held, this was reversed and consequently saw the builder lose by 2 ponts in the National award. So a win for the weekend, 2nd in the championship. The reversal of this decision would also effect the year’s results for other competitors also, so again, not unlike last season, the final round was filled with controversy and confusion.
After the super prix Beau Hewat put on a great display with a burnout that saw his mudguard blown off. Bob the builder was preparing for a burn out changing new tyres for old, to find that when the tyres were removed the brakes seized up and that is why he took no part. Zammit’s also did a burn out. Following the pack up, teams congregated in our marquee where the Mallala Lions Club put on a bbq dinner for the teams for the prize giving ceremony. On leaving the track Skitzo did wish us luck getting home, a comment that had us scratching our heads at first, but things unfolded!! The inside of our van had been taped up with yellow race tape a three inch huntsman spider crawled across our inside roof and on the port expressway we ran out of fuel, even though we had a half tank on the way!! Hmmmmmm it was almost like ‘schoolies week’ had hit Mallala. Lot of Laughs now, not sure on the night at 11.30 pm after three days in extreme heat it was that funny!! So with the end of another season, the SuperTruck will be garaged whilst we await further notification as to what the future holds for the trucks and release of calendar dates for 2010. I will touch base as news becomes available, however, take this opportunity to thank our wonderful sponsors, crew and loyal supporters in helping to make Whiteline Racing and it’s team the success it has been. Talk soon,
THE RACING CALENDAR FOR 09… 2009 Australian SuperTruck Series 2009 BIANTE Touring Car Masters:
Previous Editions of Latest News October 09 Round 6: Biante Touring Car Masters – Bathurst September 09 Round 3: SuperTruck Australian Championship – Barbagallo September 09 Round 5: Biante Touring Car Masters – Eastern Creek August 09 Round 2: SuperTruck Australian Championship – Winton August 09 Round 4: Biante Touring Car Masters – Queensland Raceway June 09 Round 3: Biante Touring Car Masters – Hidden Valley, NT May 09 Round 1: SuperTruck Australian Championship – Oran Park May 09 Round 2: Biante Touring Car Masters – Winton March 09 Round 1: Biante Touring Car Masters – Clipsal500 March 09: Introduction to Biante Camaro
November 08: Mallala – Australian Championship November 08: Oran Park – Australian Championship July 08 Round 3: Barbagallo – Australian Championship May 08 Round 2: Mallala – Australian Championship April 08 Round 1: Oran Park – Australian Championship 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
August 03 : Truckin' Life December 03 : New truck finshed with only weeks to spare before Timaru race!
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