17-06-2008 McHenry’s Results Doesn’t Match his PI Speed

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It certainly wasn’t the best of starts to his 2008 National Formula Vee Series campaign, however Mark McHenry was able to draw a number of positives from the negatives during last weekend’s opening round at Phillip Island Raceway in Victoria.

In what was his second drive of the Jacer Australia factory car, after debuting at the Oran Park Raceway Day Night Race Meeting where he finished in second place, McHenry held strong hopes of continuing his front running form in the opening round of the National Series.

After qualifying fifth, McHenry was on track for being able to contend for spots on the podium, but the opening race on Saturday was an anticlimax as it was declared a non race due to a crash back in the field.

The second race on Sunday morning saw McHenry start from his qualifying position due to the opening race being a non event, and he made a blinder of a start to move into second and while fighting for second with another competitor the two went into the opening turn side by side. Unfortunately for McHenry two into one doesn’t go and he spun off the circuit as a result which dropped him down to the back of the field. In wet conditions McHenry was able to work his way up to 15th place at the fall of the chequered flag.

McHenry in the third and final race was able to make up more ground in the field to work his way up to finish in ninth place after starting from position 15 on the grid.
Although it wasn’t the best of weekends for McHenry, the 34-year-old was still pleased with the speed that the # 67 Glenella Quarry supported Jacer F2K7, which is normally driven by Adam Proctor, showed.

“My results didn’t reflect the speed we showed, but that’s just the way things go from time to time,” McHenry said.

“I came out second best in the battle for second with another competitor during the second race, and in the third race despite finishing ninth I managed to record the fifth fastest lap time in the field, so there is plenty of encouraging signs.

“The factory Jacer Australia car is awesome, and I’m much looking forward to the remaining rounds of the National Series as the goal is to reach the podium and I feel very confident that I can achieve it.”

Round two of the National Series is to be held at Oran Park Raceway on August 30 – 31.
McHenry would like to say big thanks to Glenella Quarry for all their support and Jason Cutts from Jacer Australia for his assistance throughout the weekend.