01-07-2008 NSW Formula Vee - Rd3 - Race 1 Report

The dust had barely settled on the qualifying session as 34 Formula Vee's returned to the track for the first of three races. The damp conditions which plagued the morning session had cleared, the circuit dried by the sun which sat high in the clear blue skies above.

Michael Kinsella made best use of the change in conditions, flashing across the line nearly 2 seconds ahead of championship leader Adam Proctor. The Kinsella Engineering driver was in confident mood after qualifying, his enthusiasm only multiplied as he bounced out of the car after claiming the opening victory. The normally subdued Kinsella was only rueful that Proctor in the Glenella Group Jacer finished second, minimizing the inroads he'd made in the points standings. Following the pair home was the green Penrith McDonald's car of Mathew Pearce and behind him was defending champ Jason Cutts, proudly displaying the number 1 on his car for the first time ever in what was his first race since September. “I'm a bit nervous actually,” he admitted before the race, though showed no signs of mid-race jitters, climbing to second before finishing a creditable fourth in the long wheelbase Carrier Transicold Jacer.

In the 1200 class it was again Phil Contessa who took the honors, staying out of trouble while the competition self destructed around him. Bernie Cannon retired in dramatic fashion, spinning into the barrier at turn 6 and triggering the Safety Car. It signaled the end of the weekend for the Careel Bay Stay Kingfisher, the rear axle suffering heavily in the impact. Bernie was philosophical after the race, though lamented that his perfect finishing record had now been tarnished.

Having suffered a substantial repair bill after the Eastern Creek round, Brad Lewis was keen to avoid trouble in the Ray White Kurrajong Spectre. Lewis managed to avoid the opening lap exchanges, however shortly after the restart fortunes were against the ambitious red headed racer. Wheel to wheel into the final corner, a touch sent him careering into the barrier, bending the front suspension.

David Swan endured the wrath of the team manager after committing a cardinal sin. The Team Stinger/Ugly Duck Racing entry bogged down at the start, battling with teammate Dylan Thomas in the CXC Consultants Exchange Stinger. With everything locked and one eye on Tim Hamilton's Rennsport Technologies car Swan collided with the rear of Thomas, breaking the steering on the Stinger and thrusting the front of his car skyward in dramatic style Nathan Brumby compounded Team Stingers' work with an over zealous right foot. Braking heavily into the first turn the nose dug in, sheering off the car. Brumby, battle scarred, battled on, finally finishing in 25th.

The first turn caught several drivers out, with Keiran McLaughlin spearing out of contention and into contemplation as his car got stuck in the mud. McLaughlin cleverly survayed his new surroundings before deciding he'd much rather sit in his car.

Hart too was caught out at Turn 1. Hart had dropped to fourth off the grid, though battled through for the lead at the restart. Having been forced to defend on the dirty side of the track from Proctor the Mick Motors / Exelite Jacer of Hart spun off, rejoining the pack well down before finally recovering to 14th place at the flag.

The unluckiest driver on the grid though has to be Michael Stipo. After managing to make it to the grid his Mako Mk II refused to go on, a faulty battery the culprit. Stipo retired the SRD Racing Team car on the inside of the final turn, his season of frustration continuing.

Daniel Reynolds race, which has promised so much, ended abruptly with an electrical problem on the opening lap, leaving Reynolds was left to climb from the Wild Digital Sabre 01, standing disconsolately on the infield pondering what might have been.

Having started well down the order due to a collision with Pauperis in qualifying, Nick Herford in the Freemans Claims & Insurance Services Jacer drove an inspired race to be 16th at the flag. What makes the drive more remarkable is the fact he was forced to run the majority of the race with no front brakes.

It was, as is always the case, a hugely entertaining and action packed race. With driverse out of positions and rivals alongside one another the script could not have been written for a more enthralling race to follow.

From http://www.cochinos.us/blog

Click here to view more news