Forgot your password?
New user?
30-06-2008 NSW Formula Vee - Rd3 - Race 3 Report
Document Actions
There was no repeat of the confusion on the grid as the cars took to the line, 32 Formula Vee's gleaming in the early afternoon sun, the grid stretching back to the uphill exit of the final turn.
Off the line it was Hart who got the jump, his Jacer F2K8 dynamite off the line. “I blew my race engine last weekend so we put the spare in for this weekend” was the claim from Hart, beaming after sealing victory in the 15 lap event.
With Reynolds charging Hart controlled the race. “I had an eye on him in the mirrors, I tried to pace myself.” Hart briefly dropped to second after the Safet Car as Reynolds in his red Wild Digital car muscled through, though dived back up the inside into the sweeping first turn on the final lap. “Not quite,” was Reynolds philosophical conclusion “still a very good result. I actually got my first taste of the lead” said the level headed 21 year old who continues to impress. “The car really started losing front end grip as the race went on,” going on to say the best he could do was to hold on, despite leading in the closing stages. Daniel was composed after the race, satisfied with his weekends work and thankful to have enjoyed the success he's clearly capable of, and more than happy to plug those who've helped him. “I'm still really happy with the way the car went. I've known for a while that I'm capable (of running at the front). I lacked top end power for all of last year and the beginning of this year, thanks to VW Performance for giving me a great engine.”
Following Reynolds across the line was reigning champion Jason Cutts, the Carrier Transicold Jacer under his spell all weekend. The wiley Cutts evn backed off in the opening race so as not to interfere with the championship battle, though taking the opportunity to thank Dean Cavanagh for the opportunity to proudly display the number 1 plate for the first time in his distinguished career.
It was not all flowers and chocolate though, a coming together between young charger Aaren Russell in the Go Karts Go Elfin and John McDonald in his black beauty Filesaver Document Management sponsored Mako sparking debate after the race. Sporting a damaged hub which had been unceremoniously confined to the trailer Russell lamented, “we just got hit in the rear end. It destroyed our weekend.”
The contact occurred on the entry to turn two, McDonald diving underneath the 16 year old Russell. “He went straight across in front of me,” was the retort from McDonald, dismayed after the race as he struggled to contain his frustration. “He's a very good little driver, but his race craft is somewhat strange.”
While Russell's race was over McDonald was able to continue, minus the nose. His eventful race continued as he attempted to accelerate out of the final corner, brushing the wall in the process.
Dylan Thomas' eventful weekend continued, an off at Turn 2 bringing out the Safety Car to allow the stricken CXC Consultants Exchange Stinger to be towed clear. Thomas was classified at the finish, though 3 laps down in 26th place.
Tim Brook, clearly inspired by the exploits of Reynolds in Race Two drove through the pack from 30th to 9th, benefitting from the intervention of the Safety Car as is bunched the pack back up. His red and blue G&C; Brook Contract Cleaners LE-100 running well, though the team are confident that once niggling problems with the steering and gearbox are resolved Brook will be even more of a force at the front of the field.
The 1200cc force all weekend had been Phil Contessa in the easily recognizable Team Contessa Racing Mako MkII. Contessa though got slightly over zealous in the final stages of Race Three though, dropping a wheel over the curb and damaging the underside of his car. It opened the way for Sean Birk, who was happy just to finish, to claim the 1200cc victory, and with it a trophy for the Briko Racing cabinet.
Adam Proctor was also an early casualty, his black Glenella Group Jacer failing to complete a lap. His demise opened the championship, though Kinsella's excursions meant he was unable to exploit the opportunity to the full. A spin on lap 2 dropped Kinsella well down the order, another off track excursion through the esses further hampering his chances of catching the leaders. The advent of the Safety Car helped somewhat, though with Matt White caught up in the leading bunch Kinsella was forced to navigate McLaughlin, Freemantle and White before he could close on Purvis.
It all proved too much, a late dice with Purvis slowing Kinsella enough to allow the front four to pull out an unassailable lead, Kinsella sneaking by Purvis' Purtek Motorsport liveried Polar RW06 into the final turn.
After 15 laps though there was none who could deny Shane Hart a well deserved victory. Having controlled the race and battled with Reynolds after the Safety Car released the field it was a hard earned debut win for his new Jacer F2K8. The result throws open the championship battle, as Proctor dropped points while Kinsella recovered well. Reynolds too drove superbly to always be in contention, while Tim Hamilton endured a challenging weekend, though consistency helping his points tally. Nick Herford will be looking for better luck out of his ex-Ian Chivas Jacer, while in the 1200cc Championship Bernie Cannon will be eager to drive again, while Sean Birk tries to close further still on Contessa.
We must now wait another month before the cars hit the track again, when they return to Oran Park for Round 4 of the State Championship. With so much at stake and so many drivers still in contention it will prove to be a fascinating weekend of racing, just like what was on show in Round 3.