News

Wet weekend racing

JIM WOOD

29 Apr, 2009 11:30 PM

A large crowd attended the weekend Dirt Circuit despite weather that proved to be very changeable throughout the day.

These weather conditions helped the days racing, making the surface change for each round to add to the challenge faced by all competitors.

The track surfaces changed from hard and dust free to wet and very slippery and many competitors adjusted well.

Modifieds came out in force and showed some clean and fast racing.

James Priestley didn't have the best of days and spent most of his time chasing a mysterious mechanical problem that eventually turned into a major engine failure.

Ian Ellis showed a great improvement in his driving style and with his new car managed to take out top point score on the day.

The return of Andy Maxwell showed that a lesser powered car is still competitive when driven with the enthusiasm that Maxwell showed in every heat and went on to take second place from a slightly underpowered Jeremy Walden.

Wayne Fosteris also showed promise until an engine problem sidelined him.

Alyssa Moore again showed that the females can certainly stay with the men and managed some creditable placings throughout the day.

Several other drivers had mechanical problems that reduced their ability to complete the whole day.

But those who kept going improved their times in every heat.

Street Stocks again had the greatest number of starters and all attempted to keep their wheels pointing in the right direction.

Paul Jacobs had his best day's racing and his much improved speed and tidy style saw him take the points away from another much improved driver in Justin Moore.

Justin has not long been promoted from the Junior ranks and is showing that this class again helps younger drivers to enter the senior divisions with confidence and start their winning career at an early stage.

Brett Woolatt managed to keep his big Holden on the pace to take out third overall and Stacy Harris is adapting to his new vehicle and is gradually moving up in the points.

Track manager Matt Ashman prepared an excellent track, but in his second race found that the track didn't suit his driving style, resulting in an off track excursion that seriously damaged his suspension ending his day prematurely.

Open Wheelers lacked again in numbers and Port Lincoln driver Scott Harding came up again to take out the points with his always very tidy driving style.

The two Whyalla drivers, Richard Tapley and Paul McKay are both showing improvement now that they are coming to terms with their cars and produced what could have been their best days racing and Tapley managed to edge out McKay to take out second place.

Juniors are showing much improved race times and with the addition of new driver Gile Taylor and existing drivers Jacob Pickert, Kiraly Harris and William Hosking this class is proving that the younger members can begin their race careers in a much controlled environment with safety.

Taylor showed a good style that earned him the encouragement award and promises to be a good young driver in time to come.

Harris took the bit between her teeth in a couple of races to pass in places she didn't expect to pass.

Jacob Pickert was rather subdued in his first round since his rollover, but managed to regain his confidence as the day progressed.

William Hosking was unable to compete in the earlier rounds on the day due to other sport commitments, but when he arrived at the track he adapted quickly.

With a depleted field in the Ladies division the racing was still close and the newly promoted driver Skye Walden certainly showed that she can control the car in an acceptable manner.

Melissa Tapley collected the most points in the class and Walden took home the second place from the returning Sally Brown.

Malcolm Hosking hastily built a car after the demise of his regular vehicle in an incident at another track and managed to take home the points from the evergreen John Griffiths and the ever improving Kail Hansen.

In the Allcomers race it was sad to see the big Taurus of James Priestley meet a very untimely and unwelcome engine failure.

Paul Mckay managed to hold off challengers from Justin Moore and Barry Pickert to earn his first local win against a full field.

Preparations are now underway in preparation for the next race meeting to be held on May 10 and several drivers will be spending every available minute to repair their vehicles.