30-06-2008 NSW Formula Vee - Rd3 - Race 2 Report

A windy morning welcomed the Forula Vee grid back to Oran Park, the early start seeing several bleary eyed drivers and crew as the cars were called to the dummy grid. It caught many competitors by surprise as they sipped coffee's and chatted among each other, having to rush into their overalls. There was further confusion as the cars pulled up to the grid hatchings, the grid girls having gone on strike this weekend.

One absentee was the unfortunate Michael Stipo, the gremlins which plagued his Saturday carrying over forcing the luckless rookie to sit out the remainder of the weekend. Darren Williams too was forced to sit out, suffering an engine problem that forcing the DMW Masonary car to pit at the end of the formation lap. It was a disappointing end for Willaims', who retired the opening race having qualified a respectable 15th.

In stark contrast to the fortunes experienced by Williams was the race of Daniel Reynolds. The Wild Digital sponsored Sabre 01 had the drive of the season so far, moving from 33rd on the grid to 7th at the flag, breezing past the midfield in an inspired drive. It was an appropriate way to celebrate, the 21 year old enjoying a frustrating birthday the day before having been forced to spectate from the infield.

Reynolds very nearly caught onto the back of Tim Hamilton in the beautifully presented Rennsport Technologies car as he battled Adam Proctor battle for 5th. The two Jacers diced throughout the race, Proctor in the Glenella Group liveried car crossing the line just ahead of his Queensland rival.

Pauperis' eventful weekend continued as a rear suspension problem saw the General Auto Instruments Gebert attacking the circuit from several unique angles. A spin through the esses early in the race from Pauperis inspired Kevin Humphrey, whose unique Laksedge Engineering Kevant joined in the grass tracking action. On the opening lap David Swan, battling in his Team Stinger / Ugly Duckling entered Stinger 007, spun as the field navigated the esses on the opening lap, the chasing pack scattering in avoidance.

The majority of the action was on track, the twelve lap race running uninterrupted throughout. Race One winner Michael Kinsella made best use of the longer race, after dropping to sixth at the start after being unable to find second gear. Purvis too struggled off the line, pulling fourth when in search of second.

After a strong race in the opening event on Saturday afternoon Tim Brook went into Race Two with high hopes. They were soon dashed however as the G&C; Brook Contract Cleaners car slowed down the main straight, a spark lead marking the end of the race after nine laps.

Eastern Creek Race Two winner Ryan Stott also failed to make the finish, pulling into pitlane in his LJ Hooker Menai Jacer V2K. Likewise Brad Lewis managed just 3 laps before he too was forced to park his Ray White Kurrajong Spectre, struggling with locked rear brakes, among other things, as his frustrating weekend continued.

At the front though there was no catching Kinsella, taking advantage of the traffic to put lapped cars between himself and Hart behind, giving the blue Kinsella Engineering car its second win of the weekend. Shane Hart threw his Mick Motors / Exelite Jacer around the circuit in an effort to close, his tail out line off the bridge entertaining the fans, before settling for a very respectable second having climbed from 13th on the grid.

It was a composed race up and down the field, the 32 starters keeping out of trouble. Clean, intelligent racing with the customary swarms of cars without doubt the highlight of the race, Reynolds certainly catching the eye. It demonstrated the quality racing the formula can produce, and goes a long way to justify the categories reputation for close, competitive and entertaining racing.

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

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