| Race report by Chris and Oscar Piastri. |
|
Practice was Friday and pretty much from the get go we found ourselves right on the pace. Only one car lapping faster than us, Ben Sterling. We knew from the club day the weekend before that he would be the man to beat so we were very happy with laptimes only one tenth from his. Christian Silva looked like the other main challenger just a little behind us.
Qualifying started off well, Oscar was 4th and I was 2nd. A few little mistakes had us 7 seconds behind Ben who was driving very well. Second qualifier saw Ben and I post 22 laps, I was only 2 secs behind now so was very happy. Oscar was unlucky, a rear tyre come unglued about halfway thru his heat so that was one he'd rather forget. In the third qualifier Ben and Oscar were into 22 laps, Oscar just 4 seconds behind and beating my 22 lap time by 2 tenths. He was pretty happy with that one! By the end of the three qualifying rounds Ben was TQ, myself 2nd, Christian Silva 3rd and Oscar 4th. Things were looking good for the finals. Our super stock laptimes were very fast, easily in the top half of the mod field. |
|
|
|
|
|
In the finals everyone suddenly realised the grid was just only a couple of meters before a very tight hairpin, this was going to be ugly, and sure enough it was. In all thre finals the first corner was a mess, us front guys barely getting up any speed before having to get around meant the guys from behind were in the back of us every time. It was also very tough to get away from positions 2 and 4 because they were on the outside of the track which had no grip and was still slightly wet from the rain.
In the first final I was hit from behind and back to 5th, Oscar was even worse back to 7th after being punted from behind and then 9th after someone crashed in front of him. Things got worse for me on the second lap as I clipped the outside board on the high speed sweeper before the back straight, breaking my steering arm and sending the car into the wall at full speed. The top deck was broken in 3 places, from arm, steering, bulkheads bent, it was bad. The car was bent up like a banana. Oscar was driving very well and had worked his way back through the field up from 9th to 4th and held that position to the end. |
|
|
|
|
|
I had managed to almost fix the T3 for the second final, it was tweaked pretty hard and I didn't have time to check everything, steering trim was on -20 to get the thing to track straight on power, but off power it was pulling hard to the right, this would be interesting. Oscar was happy with his car and was just hoping the first corner wouldn't be a repeat of the carnage before. Things were a litle better this time, however Christian got a great start and pushed me wide in the first corner, allowing Oscar thru as well. After a few corners I realised my body was catching on the front tire, something I hadn't checked after the crash. I managed to get back to 4th but often sliding wide on the sweepers and hairpins with the body under the front tire eventually saw me back to 6th. Oscar had a good run, he clipped a curb early in the race dropping to 4th behind a slower car that was tough to pass, once he got past to 3rd place he was closing fast on Cristian but came up just 2 seconds short. Ben was well out in front, the TQ position really helping him avoid the first corner carnage and drive away from the field.
The third final had Oscar once again punted in the first corner and back in 9th position. I was also back to 5th after receiving similar treatment. Oscar really had some work to do this time but he was pushing ahead well, after 10 laps he was back in 5th place and closing fast. I had managed to work up from 5th and pass Christian for 2nd place, the steering was still ugly but I was pulling away. Unfortunately, just as I thought everything was ok I touched a curb on the infield and the car did a slow roll onto its side and then slid onto its roof. I couldn't have picked a worse place for this to happen as the closest marshall was on the other side of the back straight and had to wait a very long time to cross and get my car, that 27sec lap was the end, I was back to 7th and could only manage 6th by the finish.
Meanwhile, Oscar was fighting for the podium. He was in 3rd place and had to finish ahead of the 4th place driver to secure 3rd on the podium (thanks to my crashing out). With three laps to go it all went wrong with a backmarker hitting him causing a spin and dropping Oscar back to 4th. In the end Oscar had finshed 4th by one point. I was left wondering why I woke up that morning turning a 2nd qualifying into 6th overall. Oscar was very happy with the result considering at last years Vics he raced in 540 Pro silver can class!! Ben, Oscar and I were the fastest over the weekend with Christian just a fraction slower. A little more luck in the finals could have easily seen Oscar and I fighting for 2nd and pushing Ben hard for 1st. |
|
|
|
| Stock (17.5) results |
|
1. Jason Morris XRAY T2 009
2. Chris Bismire XRAY T2 009
3. Stephen Dabic
4. Matthew Guidotto XRAY T3
5. Brenton Bull
6. Gavin Hatherly
7. Trevor Waye XRAY T3
8. Aaron Stevens
9. Scott Rawlings
10. Karl Goodger |
| Super Stock (10.5) |
|
1. Ben Sterling
2. Cristian Silva XRAY T2'009
3. Dave Calwell
4. Oscar Piastri XRAY T3
5. Anthony Iavazzo XRAY T3
6. Chris Piastri XRAY T3
7. Grant Mount XRAY T3
8. Joe Ghiringhelli XRAY T3
9. Bruce Rollins
10. Nigel George |
| Modified |
|
1. Ryan Maker
2. Sandy Iavazzo XRAY T3
3. Andy Cooke
4. Kirby Masterman
5. Tom Huggan |
|
