ROUND 1
BIANTE MUSCLE CAR MASTERS
CLIPSAL, ADELAIDE,SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The opening round of the series would prove to be a very happy hunting ground for Whiteline Racing.
This year, the team has taken on a new format with seasoned campaigner Andrew Miedecke in the driver’s seat of the 95 WesTrac Camaro, with Bob the Builder, who originally was going to concentrate on managing the team, deciding in the off season to acquire a 1970 bright red camaro from New Zealand – this resulting in a two car team – lots to get through to bring you up to speed with, so I’ll get on with it !!
Andrew satisfied with a win |
Andrew Miedecke
No. 95 – Camaro
Long time supporters of Whiteline Racing will remember how successfully Andrew was in our team when campaigning in the nascar series in the mid to late 90’s, early 2000. The friendship and respect has always remained and seemed like a no brainer when deciding to re activate Andrew’s involvement in a driving role.
Andrew brings incredible racing experience, successes on the track, a wonderful rapport with race fans and sponsors and generally just a nice guy – a gentleman.
Andrew in the lead up to his debut race, made it known in press interviews that he would be pleased to finish fourth but as you will read, his skill and determination would prove otherwise !!
With Andrew an additional team member was recruited, Ron Missen, who has extensive experience in the racing game to enhance our team knowledge to work with Mark Peacock to give our team the best possible winning formula.
Pre Season Development
Since the final round at Sandown, Mark and Engine developer Gregg Hayes have carried out extensive modifications, including the following :
- Engine rebuild and dyno testing
performed, which included fitting new
heads, new rocker gear, new manifold,
new carburetor and new distributor.
- New diff centre and spool ratio to suit
Adelaide street circuit were fitted.
- Repairs to damage sustained to
exhaust at Sandown.
- Ballast added to comply with new weight
regulations (hmm Andrew is considerably
lighter than the builder !!)
- Wheel alignment check and adjusted.
- Preparation for test day at Mallala to
further develop suspension settings and
prove new engine.
Mallala Test Day
Beginning of February, Andrew and Ron flew down to Adelaide to participate in a drive day to see if Mark was on track in preparing the WesTrac camaro to Andrew’s style of driving.
This resulted in the following adjustments :
- New front hub bearing assembles to
widen front track and include some
track adjustability.
- New front brake mounting hats.
- Front brake ducts enlarged slightly and
new high temp duct hoses fitted.
- Driver’s seat lowered to lower centre of
gravity.
- Ballast re-shaped and repositioned to
improve weight distribution.
- Rear brake calipers replaced to improve
brake balance.
- Fuel pick up redesigned to better resist
‘G’ forces in long corners.
- Type of brake fluid changed.
Clipsal Week
Andrew and son George arrived in Adelaide on Wednesday. Apart from running in Biante this weekend, the Utes were running a special event for veterans and as such Andrew drove in this category and George who recently relocated to America to work under the wing of Marcos Ambrose flew back to Aus especially to be a part of this event. Big ask for Andrew, with his races scheduled close together, in fact, one back to back.
Also created some interesting politics in the house hold with Andrew and George campaigning in opposition teams. Andrew informed me that my loyalties should lie with him, however, George’s approach was that I side with the winner and George would prove to be the winner in this category on the weekend !! (ref to Motorsport Story included)
Andrew fronts the press |
Bump in for the transporter was on Wednesday, so this combined with promotional commitments with Prince Alfred College and Coopers Brewery kept the boys very busy.
Thursday a practice session and qualifying was scheduled. The Touring Car Masters cars were the very first category onto the track at 8.15 a.m. Andrew reported back to the crew that the track was terrible, like a desert storm had gone through, making it a dirty and slippery surface. Extremely difficult in these conditions to appraise set up. In fact for John Bowe would prove disastrous sustaining severe damage to his ex. Drew Marget Mustang. The track improved over the course of the session with Andrew placed 4th fastest with 1.364, commenting he was reasonably happy with the time and that he was rusty and still had more in him !!
The crew modified shock settings, rear roll centre settings and brake balance.
Qualifying was held at 2.30 with fine, warm conditions. The team fitted new tyres for the session with 8 laps completed, with Andrew’s fastest time on lap 4, with a 1.332, placing him in fourth position, with Bowe, Bullas and Richards 1,2 and 3 respectively.
Throughout the day, further p.r. commitments were full on with formal photograph and signing sessions and time with Prince Alfred College students. In the evening the Touring Car Masters held a meet, greet and welcome to the 2010 series in the Wine Underground, Pirie St, Adelaide owned by Porsche racer Rory O’Neill – a great time was had by all.
At lunchtime, our very close friends from the west landed into Adelaide, Terry and Vicki Harwood, along with some other special West Australians to enjoy the weekend of racing.
Shaz, Jo, Dave, Bob & Andrew |
Race 1 was not until 4.30 on Friday but arrival at the track was early to work on the car but again for Andrew and Bob to fulfill promotional commitments in addition Andrew was backwards and forwards to his Brute Ute pit in preparation for his race immediately after his muscle car race.
A nine lapper and starting out of 4 in fine conditions, Andrew managed to get a great initial launch, thinking he could have got into the lead by turn 1, but the clutch slipped temporarily causing the Camaro to lose drive forcing him back into 8th. The clutch issue did not resolve itself until half way into the first lap and by the end of lap 1 had managed to make up a position and was travelling in 7th. Throughout the course of the race, made up an additional three places finishing in fourth. Best time for this race was achieved on lap 3 with a 1.333. Bullas, Richards, Tilley were 1st, 2nd and 3rd .
On return to the pit, discussions between Andrew and the crew resolved that a new clutch would be fitted and this would take until 10.30 that night to complete.
Andrew, George, Bob, Vicki and Terry headed home and a quiet bbq tea – there were two more days of early starts and lots of racing to be done !!
Race 2 on Saturday saw a reverse grid of the top 8 for starting positions, resulting in Andrew off the 3rd line in 5th. A 9.55 a.m. start and over 9 laps. The clutch problems from the previous day had been eradicated and Andrew got his WesTrac Camaro off to a flying start, placing himself into 3rd even before turn 1. By the end of the first lap had moved into 2nd and not far into lap 2 had moved into the lead and was soon 8 seconds in front. Maintaining a healthy gap, Bullas who had a moment nearly ending up into the wall, Tilley, Mason, Bowe and Richards were all battling it out . Bowe would break clear and was on the chase for Andrew, reducing his lead by 6 seconds then 4 seconds when they went over the line Andrew 1 and John Bowe 2 – a great result for WesTrac. Andrew’s best time was in lap 5 with a 1.32.
Needless to say we were all over the moon – hugs and tears all round with Andrew still declaring he still has more in him to do even better !! He says this with a glint in his eye that oozes determination !
Saturday night our team dined with Mr. Jim Walker of WesTrac and the special group that had travelled from the west. We went to the Wine Underground of Rory O’Neill’s which has magnificent restaurant – the food, service and wines were just amazing and highly recommend it. With another early start scheduled for Sunday Andrew, George, Bob and myself left immediately after our meals.
Sunday was again a 9 lap race and starting positions were where you finished in race 2, so this meant Andrew was off pole!!! Alongside him was Jim Richards. Jim and Andrew have enjoyed many years of racing together. The race commenced at 8.50 in sunny conditions. With the race underway, what started out a sluggish start seeing Richards nab the lead, all changed when Andrew muscled his way through to grab the lead back. Laps 1 – 8 saw Andrew, Richards, Bullas and Bowe leading the field. Andrew was driving like he had stolen it with Jim sitting on his tail just waiting for an error to pounce, but Andrew drove faultlessly with the added pressure in the beginning of lap 9 when the first four came up on lapped traffic, however, Andrew read the traffic well and came through with a wonderful win.
 Andrew and Bob after the win
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Andrew’s quickest lap was on lap 6 with a 1.3186. Behind Andrew was Richards in 2nd and Bowe in 3rd, so again a 1 and 3 for the WesTrac camp.
With the results of the three races combined, meant Andrew won the weekend and took to the podium to collect the honours.
In addition, the Muscle Car Masters have their own presentation, where Mascelle Tully welcomed Andrew to the series, with the comment, ‘what a way to enter the series’.
This truly was a wonderful start to the season.
Next round is in May at Winton in Victoria, work is already underway in preparation for this event.
 Bob Middleton |
Bob Middleton
No. 85 – Camaro
As mentioned in my opening, the Whiteline Racing team is now a 2 car team for this year.
I think after a disappointing final round at Sandown last season, Bob still had some unfinished business with the racing bug still clearly in his system. As such he sourced a magnificent bright red camaro in New Zealand. This was in January and we believed we had plenty of time to import it to Aus and make the necessary modifications for racing in time for Clipsal. This however, would not prove to be the case. The import permit took several weeks to issue and until this has been done, no further action can be taken.
Once the permit was received, the camaro was placed in a container for shipping across the Tasman. Due to a blunder on the wharf, the shipping container had not been tagged correctly with regard to dangerous goods and for this reason, was left off the ship !!!! Another ship was sourced, but by this time, Clipsal was literally around the corner. It landed in Melbourne the Friday prior to Clipsal. Bob drove the transporter to
Melbourne to collect her for the journey to Adelaide. With bump in Wednesday there was simply not the time to complete the modifications which now are quite extensive.
Whiteline Racings #85 Camaro |
In New Zealand the rules relating to the roll cage are different to the rules here in Australia. For Clipsal however, sponsors of the Muscle Cars, Dick Smith required a static display for his facility at the race track. For this reason the decals were placed on the car for use in promotional activities. On return from the track, it will be dismantled to rectify the roll cage to meet regulations.
Whilst disappointed about not having a run, I think Bob really enjoyed the manager role and ensuring Andrew’s debut race was fully taken care of. Had he been driving, he would have missed the excitement and euphoria of the success Andrew achieved over the weekend and the interaction with our sponsors, in particular the wonderful team from WesTrac in Western Australia.
Kind regards,
Shaz
Biante Touring Car Masters
Media Release
14 March 2010
Miedecke takes stunning win on debut
 Former V8 Supercar driver Andrew Miedecke put his competitors on notice taking a stunning win on debut in round one of the Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide (SA), this weekend.
Porsche pilot Bernie Stack charged through the weekend to rack up a perfect score from three races and seal victory in Group 2, while Phillip Showers in his Ford Escort enjoyed his first win in the category, taking out the Group 3 win.
In a drama-filled start to the 2010 season, two-time Bathurst winner John Bowe ploughed his newly-purchased Ford Mustang into the wall, overshooting the turn into the hairpin and causing significant damage to his front left corner on only his fifth lap in the opening practice session.
Bowe redeemed himself in qualifying as he put his battle-scarred Mustang on pole with Gavin Bullas’ Rain City Mustang a mere 0.3935s behind. Reigning 2009 Group 2 Champion, Trevor Talbot was the fastest qualifier in his class, while Tony Karanfilovski posted the quickest lap time for Group 3.
As the flag dropped for the opening race of the season, a fierce battle erupted at the front of the field with Bowe and Bullas repeatedly trading blows for the lead, with the wily Jim Richards in the Shannons Falcon Sprint close behind waiting to pounce in third.
Stack was through on Talbot on lap one and was never troubled for the Group 2 lead throughout the remainder of the nine-lap race - ultimately going on to finish an impressive eighth outright for the race.
On lap five, the Adelaide streets’ concrete barriers claimed their first race casualty with the Treloar Roses Charger of Garry Treloar into the wall.
Smoke from Bowe’s Mustang on the following lap signalled trouble as he quickly slipped back through the field to 17th as a result of a power steering failure.
Richards was quick to close in on Bullas and pressured him all the way to the chequered flag, but was unable to get past. Bullas crossed the line first ahead of Richards with Brad Tilley’s Falcon XY GT narrowly holding the #95 Camaro of Miedecke.
Further down the field, Karanfilovski in the #88 TIFS Warehousing Alfa Romeo dominated the Group 3 battle from start to finish.
The reverse-top-eight grid for race two put Stack’s Gawler Body Works Porsche on pole alongside the Dukes Body Works Camaro of Alastair MacLean. Leading the field, Stack was quickly swallowed up by the larger Group 1 machines in hot pursuit.
Touring Car Masters debutant Miedecke hustled the WesTrac Cat Camaro to the front of the field for the first time and stretched out a strong lead.
Starting from well down the order in 17th, Bowe made a scintillating comeback, barging his way through the field.
Making contact along the way, notably with Bullas, Bowe’s charge was not without incident. Finally getting past the very wide Tilleys Automotive Falcon for second place on lap eight, set out after his former V8 Supercar sparring partner Miedecke, but the WesTrac Cat Mustang was no match for the WesTrac Cat Camaro.
Carving through lapped traffic, Miedecke took the chequered flag and his first Touring Car Masters race win with Bowe and Richards trailing.
Again, both Stack and Karanfilovski topped the respective Group 2 and 3 results, to head into the final race with a perfect score card.
As the lights went green for the start of the third and final race, it was a drag race between Richards and Miedecke to turn one. While Richards made a slightly better start, Miedecke was right alongside and had the line into turn one, giving the series newcomer the lead once again.
Needing only to finish race three to secure the round victory, it was heartbreak for Karanfilovski as his Alfa GTAM was sidelined before the end of the first lap.
Breaking away from the pack, the race at the head of the field intensified with the top four running nose to tail as Miedecke led from Richards, Bullas and Bowe.
On a mission in his battered and beaten Mustang, Bowe dived past Bullas. Trying to run with Bowe, Bullas held his ground alongside the renowned #18, but quickly ran out of track as Bowe held his line and the Clipsal walls loomed. The reigning champ was forced to yield and slotted into fourth.
As Bowe and Bullas fought amongst themselves, they gave a touch of breathing room to Richards who was working away at the back of Miedecke’s Camaro, looking for a way past.
Miedecke, however, was faultless and again led the field to the chequered flag.
Taking the round win ahead of Richards and Bullas, Miedecke now leads the overall championship standings.
Woes continued for reigning Group 2 champ, Talbot as he pulled into the pits on lap four, prematurely ending his race weekend and making for a difficult title defence this season.
In a thrilling performance, Stack out powered and out lasted many of the Group 1 cars to finish in eighth outright for round, winning the Group 2 class and walking away with a maximum haul of 180 points.
Graeme Cook in the Racemoves/Buik Motorworks Porsche 911 RS withstood a battering from the McAlister Ford Mustang to finish the weekend second in Group 2, with Ian McAlister rounding out the top three.
Dicing with the Ocean Seafoods Falcon XY GTHO of George Nittis and the Steve Mason Datsun 510 of Jason Humble, Phillip Showers slipped past Humble to secure the Group 3 win by one place.
Standing in for regular series runner, Cameron Mason, Humble secured second place in the Group 3 standings ahead of Karanfilovski.
The Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn will resume with round two at Winton Raceway (VIC) on 14-16 May.
ANDREW MIEDECKE:
“I’m quite surprised. Coming into this weekend I expected to be around fourth. I thought if someone had a problem, I might possibly get third.
“I’ve made some terrible starts in my career, but I got a couple of crackers in the last two races. It was great to be back out racing with Jim [Richards] and JB and also Gavin Bullas who I’ve known for a long time.
“I came into this series because I didn’t think my racing career was over, and these are the cars I would choose to drive. They’re certainly more fun than V8 Supercars.
“Racing with Bob and Shaz [Middleton] is great - I raced with them for three years in NASCAR and had some great success.”
BERNIE STACK:
“The object for me, this weekend, was to get into the top ten and stay there. I thought if I could do that, it should be enough to win Group 2.
“It’s great start to the season, particularly in front of a home crowd and with my family here this weekend.”
PHILLIP SHOWERS:
“It’s an unfortunate result for Tony [Karanfilovski] because I think he was on target to win it.
“I had great battles with Jason [Humble] all weekend. I’m looking forward to the next round; we’re in for a good season.”
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