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Weather conditions were magnificent, however, with Mothers Day to be celebrated on Sunday this would certainly effect the crowd. As one person said, ‘it’s a day for florists and restaurants.’
We have also made up 2 impressive display ‘A’ Frames, showing the specifications of the truck, the truck being built, a series of shots showing the team at work at the track and a colourful poster. We have had excellent feed back and the Super Truck is in strong demand for promotional events. The race team started to arrive from New Zealand on the Wednesday prior to the race weekend. Terry, his Dad Gary, Jeff Kernohan and the team from Raffs Tyre service, Alan, Krystal and Alex.
Friday was primarily for practice so as the teams could trial and test set ups for this circuit. It was also a big day for media rides. All those who participated were glowing from their experience – I believe something they will always remember. In terms of the handling of the Freightliner, Caterpillar powered No. 15 Super Truck of Middleton, he would report that the first practice for approximately of a lap he felt power wise the best it had ever been, having just had a full engine rebuild and the engine had been fitted with redesigned injectors from New Zealand. This, however, was short lived as the engine developed a miss and Bob coasted back into the pit area for further assessment. On checking the engine, it was found to have two bent push rods in the No. 4 cylinder. These were replaced and the truck taken out for another slow lap, again a miss developed and this time No. 2 cylinder bent one push rod.
Qualifying on Saturday, we did not make due to an electrical fault with the ECM on the engine.
Race 2 starting out of position three, Middleton managed to finish in 2nd position. During this race the truck developed ABS brake problems and this combined with a diff lock engaging fault would cause the truck to drive off one wheel like a normal road vehicle. Race 3 was a 10 lap feature race and reverse grid of the previous finishing order. We again started from the rear row of the grid alongside Mark Porter from New Zealand. The ABS brake problem had been rectified from the previous race, however, the diff problem did get worse causing the truck to get very side ways on many occasions. Despite all of the above challenges Middleton in the No. 15, Whiteline Racing Super Truck still managed to grab a 2nd. The next meeting is at Oran Park, New South Wales, 25th, 26th and 27th June.
We will have our race head back on the engine by then and the diff repaired, so hopefully we will have some first place results to tell you all about. The team certainly looked the part in their new uniforms and interest in posters, stickers and merchandise was strong, despite a reduced crowd.
Yours
in racing and regards,
Special thanks to David Batchelor Motorsport Photography for Images 2-4 on this page.
Previous Editions of Latest News 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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Leading
up to the event, the Super Truck made an impressive display at the
S.A. Sporting Car Club exhibition held at Wayville Showgrounds in
Adelaide, which assisted in promoting interest for the Super Truck
meeting.
Thursday
was track set up day with the transporters, spares etc taken to
the track. The pit areas were erected and the scene was set for
practice on Friday. 
After
checking everything that was visable from the outside of the engine,
the crew decided to remove the cylinder head for further inspection.
It was found the head had 4 bent valves and cracked valve guides.
As there wasn’t a spare head available the same as the original,
a stock standard head was installed. This was then used for the
remainder of the meeting.
The
first race the Super Truck started rear of the field
due to non-qualifying and managed to finish in third place. 
Following
on from this, the Super Truck will travel the Nullabor for a demonstration
run at the V8 Super Car event at Barbagallo, come back across the
Nullabor for the grand opening of Cavpower’s new Truck Workshop
then back to Perth to compete in Round Two of the Australian Super
Truck Series.