Aussie Retro

Race Results for;

AR8 - 15th November 2008 - Area3,

Tuggerah NSW, on a great 6 lane track built by track owner Peter Hopkins.

Report From Stewart Amos, as posted on SlotBlog.

Well, that last race at Area3, up the coast slightly from Sydney at Peter Hopkins' wonderful track at lovely Tuggerah, was once again, absolutely fantastic racing.
Well, for 3 old mates, if for no one else, sorry guys.

As I had a spare prepared Car, our old friend and old time racer Steve Hutcheson, (who also partnered Mark Fox in the enduro's), decided to come up and have a run as well. His first Sprint Race in over 30 Years!

Mark, Steve and myself travelled north to Pete's and had plenty of time to setup and for Steve to practice, we tried different tyres and bodies and after a motor change for myself and a body change for Steve, we were all fairly prepared and ready for what was hoped would be a great race.

Sadly, again, very few of the other Sydney racers made the journey and unfortunately some of Pete's regulars couldn't make it, BUT we still managed 10 starters.

Once again, a couple of new faces and another recent racer Shane, who ran with Steve K. in the enduro turned up to race as well, as he lives nearby.

SO, a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere was once again enjoyed at this truly wonderful little track. It has provided some absolutely great fast and very even racing and tonight was no exception.

We ran qualifying, 2 x 2 min' heats and a 4 min' main.

Qualifying was great, with many people turning times well under the 5 sec' mark!

Wayne Bramble's motor died, (so he had to change for the heats) and it proved to be a rocket!

Unbelievably, (well I did know the car was good, lol) I actually managed to TQ!
WooHoo!! with a 4.772, beating my old nemesis Mark Fox, by 7/1000ths! Close! And now that I think about it, one of the very few times I have ever out qualified Fox!

Heat 1 had myself lined up with James Colfax, Shane Robertson, Steve Hutcheson and Josh.

I managed to tear off into the lead in the first bracket and really had an easy run to the flag, with some very close racing going on behind, with James and Shane also making the move up.

Hutcho, was really happy, and so he should be, as his driving was great. I think he came off twice and only missed the move up by a lap. Probably, those two de-slots.

Not bad for his first real race after so many years, he even has a test car built and is planning another for our State Titles. Great Stuff. We might ALL have to watch our arses soon.

Heat 2 saw Mark Fox, Wayne Bramble, Cody Bramble, Pete Hopkins (the Track Owner) and John (another local younger guy) who was also having his first run with these cars, and had a ball, even though he didn't make the main, as the competition was proving to be very hot.

Fox and Wayne tussled it out tearing up the track, with both of them along with Cody moving up.

So, with Wayne's car running like a rocket and Fox going real quick and really driving well, it Looked like the Main would be great, AND, it WAS!

This race really was an ABSOLUTE 'HOOT', especially for Wayne, Fox and myself, as the three of us, ended up having an amazing race!

The 3 of us took off from the field, literally tearing around for whole brackets, all within feet of each other, swapping fastest Laps!

I guess on this night unfortunately for the other guys, the 3 of us just happened to all have great cars, we swapped 1st, 2nd and 3rd many times during the race, until I started to lose my edge and made a few too many silly mistakes, with Wayne managing to pull a slight edge on both Fox and myself.

Heading into the last bracket, Fox and Wayne were on the outer lanes, I had the advantage of orange a lane you really can 'Jet' on and managed to catch Fox, but had one or two de-slots and even took out Fox right near the end causing me to chase him as hard as I could to regain 2nd, but missed by a mere 3 feet. Wayne had put in a fine performance and took a well-deserved win by a Few laps.

I SHOULD Have Won this Race!!, lol, but the Brain Faded! sigh, lol

Having started racing with Mark Fox and Wayne Bramble, all those years ago, it was fantastic, to have a real tussle with each other on a great track once again.

Cheshire cat smiles, were the order of the Day with the 3 of us.
Once again, the Retro Class has provided another great nights racing for ALL those that could, or be bothered to, turn up.

AND, I fear it was Probably the LAST race we will Have at Petes Track !!

THAT, is VERY SAD !!,..let alone Bloody Boring.

May I take this Opportunity, (as I have also elsewhere), to Thank Pete, for ALL His efforts and his friendly, fun outlook and racing environment.
Best of luck and although I hate to think they have to go, I hope the sale goes well for you and your Family!

Cheers and Thanks,
Stoo.