RACE REPORT
MAKE SMOKING HISTORY Improved Production State Championship Round 1
17 February 2018 - NightMasters 1
First off, thanks to our principal category sponsors Healthway for their ongoing support this year. IPRAWA is proud to support the Make Smoking History campaign. Also thanks to additional sponsors Jasmat Steel Fabrications and JP Pallets. Please support the health message and the companies that support our racing.
The usual dramas with the first event of the year meant the number of entries was a bit below par. This was compounded by odd events, such as an emergency call-out to a driver / technician to investigate structural risks to a gas pipeline. You name it – It happened.
Confusion reigned amongst the drivers, as Ducky was in Don’s car and Wayne was in Rachel’s car. It was sometimes difficult to know who you were really racing against!!
For those who have not experienced it, Night Racing is a whole different game, as distance and velocity perceptions are impaired compared to normal daylight conditions. Race 2 & 3 were in the dark, so you could only see pairs of lights up your clacker – Not which car it was.
Notwithstanding all the excuses, it was Matt Cherry in the red Top Gear Electrical #44 Monaro who reigned supreme, taking out Qualifying and all three race victories with 62 second laps recorded in all events.
Glen Melling and Eddie Resera had challenging days, scoring no points due to mechanical / electrical woes.
A very consistent Neil Pollard came home 2nd overall in the Subaru WRX holding off Nick Mitic in 3rd. Mitic made an impressive debut in the ex Barry Baltinas BMW M3, after good performances in Formula Ford last year, which netted him 2nd in the F.Ford State Championship. No doubt, the ex Baltinas car was also well set up for the job.
Notwithstanding that, Mitic’s performance may have led Baltinas to wonder why he ever sold the M3 in the first place as he ended up 6th overall. We do however expect the brand new Baltinas M3 to be developed into a rocket-ship as the season progresses.
Reuben Romkes made a return to IP in the lovely green and black Monaro, after focusing on Formula Ford last year. He was super consistent coming home 4th, as were Dom Coniglio (Evo V11) 5th, Baltinas 6th, followed home by a much improved Brooke Newson in her eye-catching pink WRX in 7th.
In the lower capacity classes, Garry Edwards went wide in Turn 6 during Race 3 and disappeared in a cloud of dust. It appears that he rolled the BMW E30, a fact that was unknown to many drivers, as the gods of racing arranged for him to finish right-way-up. Thankfully he was ok. The race was red flagged and a 6 lap re-start event resulted.
Shane Litchfield survived a wheel to wheel touch with the Wayne Chrystal Commodore in Race 2, to win the Under 2 Litre class. Minor damage to the front left steering rod ended Wayne’s day. Then he had to explain to partner Rachel, that the car he had borrowed was not quite as pretty as it was at the start of the day. Thankfully, I joined both for a friendly beer in the Clubhouse after a very late finish to the day and was pleased to see both philosophical about the ding.
Finally, Geoff “Ducky” Duckworth bought home Don Simpson’s Honda Civic 1st in all 3 races to win the U1,600 Class.
Thanks to Allyn Cooper for the great photographs.
PHOTO 1. Matt Cherry #44 Holden Monaro won all 3 races. Photo courtesy of Allyn Cooper
PHOTO 2. Garry Edwards #93 BMW. Photo courtesy of Allyn Cooper
PHOTO 3. IPRAWA 17Feb2018 Round One. Photo courtesy of Allyn Cooper
The usual dramas with the first event of the year meant the number of entries was a bit below par. This was compounded by odd events, such as an emergency call-out to a driver / technician to investigate structural risks to a gas pipeline. You name it – It happened.
Confusion reigned amongst the drivers, as Ducky was in Don’s car and Wayne was in Rachel’s car. It was sometimes difficult to know who you were really racing against!!
For those who have not experienced it, Night Racing is a whole different game, as distance and velocity perceptions are impaired compared to normal daylight conditions. Race 2 & 3 were in the dark, so you could only see pairs of lights up your clacker – Not which car it was.
Notwithstanding all the excuses, it was Matt Cherry in the red Top Gear Electrical #44 Monaro who reigned supreme, taking out Qualifying and all three race victories with 62 second laps recorded in all events.
Glen Melling and Eddie Resera had challenging days, scoring no points due to mechanical / electrical woes.
A very consistent Neil Pollard came home 2nd overall in the Subaru WRX holding off Nick Mitic in 3rd. Mitic made an impressive debut in the ex Barry Baltinas BMW M3, after good performances in Formula Ford last year, which netted him 2nd in the F.Ford State Championship. No doubt, the ex Baltinas car was also well set up for the job.
Notwithstanding that, Mitic’s performance may have led Baltinas to wonder why he ever sold the M3 in the first place as he ended up 6th overall. We do however expect the brand new Baltinas M3 to be developed into a rocket-ship as the season progresses.
Reuben Romkes made a return to IP in the lovely green and black Monaro, after focusing on Formula Ford last year. He was super consistent coming home 4th, as were Dom Coniglio (Evo V11) 5th, Baltinas 6th, followed home by a much improved Brooke Newson in her eye-catching pink WRX in 7th.
In the lower capacity classes, Garry Edwards went wide in Turn 6 during Race 3 and disappeared in a cloud of dust. It appears that he rolled the BMW E30, a fact that was unknown to many drivers, as the gods of racing arranged for him to finish right-way-up. Thankfully he was ok. The race was red flagged and a 6 lap re-start event resulted.
Shane Litchfield survived a wheel to wheel touch with the Wayne Chrystal Commodore in Race 2, to win the Under 2 Litre class. Minor damage to the front left steering rod ended Wayne’s day. Then he had to explain to partner Rachel, that the car he had borrowed was not quite as pretty as it was at the start of the day. Thankfully, I joined both for a friendly beer in the Clubhouse after a very late finish to the day and was pleased to see both philosophical about the ding.
Finally, Geoff “Ducky” Duckworth bought home Don Simpson’s Honda Civic 1st in all 3 races to win the U1,600 Class.
Thanks to Allyn Cooper for the great photographs.
PHOTO 1. Matt Cherry #44 Holden Monaro won all 3 races. Photo courtesy of Allyn Cooper
PHOTO 2. Garry Edwards #93 BMW. Photo courtesy of Allyn Cooper
PHOTO 3. IPRAWA 17Feb2018 Round One. Photo courtesy of Allyn Cooper
