1st round was at Barbagallo 19th - 24th last month October.
A good team of Kiwis ventured over and had a very good time, with the hospitality of the locals amazing.
Kiwis who travelled
David Banks Talon F5000
Grant Martin Talon F5000
Glenn Martin Lola T400
Aaron Burson McRae GM1
Frank Karl McLaren M10B
Tony Roberts McLaren M10A
Brett Willis Lola T330
Ian Riley Lola T332 a new driver and car to the ranks, a beautiful car and good bugger.
The track is amazing in that when you walk it, you can see alot of left over mirrors and bits of V8 Supercar bits in the landscape. How they go 2 abreast up the twist after 1st corner would result in most of the debris.
Track is good and changes with the sand and wind.
The F5000 were impressive when they charged into site over the hill and down the dip into the last corner onto front straight.
A few photos to follow.
PS Credits to some photos by Keith Anderson which are great shots.
Last edited by Rod Grimwood; 11-01-2016 at 07:59 AM.
Grant Martin had a very good weekend. He had the help of Mr Lush to give the car what seemed like a rebuild in the pits during practice, and only went out for qualifying had a 3rd then a 2nd and then won the next 2 races with a very good display of control and driving.
Last edited by Rod Grimwood; 11-01-2016 at 07:54 AM.
A welcome new member to the NZ F5000 ranks is Ian Riley and his beautiful Lola T332.
Ian drove very well and the car is just stunning.
There has been many hours spent in the re-build of this car and a credit to the team.
Aaron Burson and David Banks had solid performances, with Banksies car giving him a hard time for awhile and not wanting to play, but when set upon by the boys in the pits, she came out barking.
Aaron drove well and worked away on his car as he was by himself, but got a hand from Brett Willis and co. (no one pulled a plug off either).
Frank Karl in the McLaren had the ole girl fair flying and it was the best i have seen it go, and Frank was driving very hard and tidy and having a great battle with Tony Roberts who had the wing of 'Ole Orange' at some strange angles going up the hill, both going well.
Unfortunately during Sunday morning The fuel pressure adjuster on the McLaren split and sent fuel all over the engine which went up in a very spectacular fire and continued around the track for a bit and when Frank stop the flames came around the cabin, unbeknown to him the split was jetting fuel straight over his shoulder and onto his had. It was a very scary moment and thank god there was no real serious harm, but Frankk did unfortunately recieve severe burns to his right hand. When we left the airport on trip home he was fairly happy and said it was getting better already.
We wish Frank a quick recovery and hopefully the car is not too bad, as once you get the white extinguisher dust of it hopefully will be a new screen, paint and refit of fuel system and tidy.
Glen Richards had himself and the Lola T400 wound up and put in a very solid performance, with a couple of 4ths and kept Mark busy cleaning and believing what we told him.
Brett Willis had solid show and the Lola looked good on track and looks forward to next meeting At Sandown as do all the teams.
A feature was a walk around on the grid over lunch time, and this went down very well with big crowds and kids with big smiles on their faces when sitting in the cars and parents getting lots of photos. There was also a lot of bigger 'kids' with smiles when allowed to sit in cars, with even the girls getting in on the action, much to the amusement of some.
1st couple laps over the hill and down to the turn onto front straight, this was immpressive in sight and sound, the ground did shake, and the air vibrated, chill up the back material. No need for Viagra when this happens.
The Aussies with Brian Sala in the Matich A50 he won 1st couple races
Paul Zazzryn Lola T332 close seconds
Bill Hemming beautiful Elfin MR8
Rod Carroll who finally sorted his oil leak in rocker cover to run well.
And bad luck story was poor Peter Brennan with the beautiful Lola 330/T 'Lella' which dropped a valve after only 3 laps of practice, and all new gear, but hopefully has not done too much as the round thing on top of con rod was going up and down (very easily though) Peter is working his butt off to be ready for Sandown.
That is local Government people with Peter (he is at right back wheel) who loved the show and are very supportive of the local car club.
Great report of an outstanding weekend, Rodders. Came and said Hi on Sat morning, good to finally put a face to the name. All the best to you and the teams for an awesome exhibition in front of a very enthusiastic crowd.
As you said Peter Brennan was chewing rocks after grenading the thing, poor bugger, but to his credit he ponied up, turned out the team in the race shirts and got involved answering questions from everyone, even rolled the lovely T330 out for the grid walks. Good pr.
Yes was great to catch up with you GD66, glad you enjoyed, gee they sure looked after us at the track and also off the track. Me and Peter at back.
oops daughter is here to take me to airport, catch ya
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