Now that the dust has settled on another National EP on titles, just wanted to write about the ‘other side of racing’, since Scotty G did such a great job reporting on the actual racing, track conditions and club facilities.

Travel Plans and QLD’ers
Initially I was not going to race at the Nationals and was going to the Metro Masters in Melbourne (due to work and time off – I had to choose one event and not both), I was persuaded into attending the Nationals.  It was a bit of a rushed affair, but I booked my flights, arranged transport and accommodation.  After waking up at 3am Friday morning for a 5am flight, I arrived in Sydney at 7:30am (Sydney time) and was trackside by 9:30am (Sydney time).  I was surprised to see the size of the track and the marquee setup for the pits.  Place was BIG! (but it did have to cater for 120+ racers).  Everyone had ample pit space (even me….Mr Outta control tools, and some have named Mr OCD – I like to be organised and layout my pit area….more on this later).  The club even hired industrial fans to try and keep us all cool in the opressive heatwave that hit on the weekend (even in the shade, with the fans going, the air temp reached 45’C on my pit bench! 
Most of the QLD’ers that attended were all at the same tables.  Some of the crazy ones…..drove down and camped it next to the track (but I appreciated it as Ken Beckett was able to keep my drinks:  Red Bulls and Coke Zero nice and chilly in his trusty fridge).  I bet these guys and girls will be glad to be back home this week in much cooler conditions and back to the comforts of their own homes.
 
Memorable moments
At every major event on or off road there are moments which people do not forget easily or wish they could forget easily….this Nationals was no different (on and off track moments).  Obviously, there are good and bad moments….here are just some of the good ones from my point of view:
As mentioned by Scotty G in his racing writeup, the Mod A2 final race between Ari and Ryan.  Ari was in the lead (about 2 secs) and Ryan was closing the gap fast.  They came around the right hand sweeper off pit straight and Ryan went for pass on the inside line (aka Marc R style at the worlds) and the two cars touched side on and unfortunately, the touch caused Ryan’s steering to lock up, putting him out of the race and ultimately the possibility of setting up a showdown for the title.  It was a defining moment of the modified weekend.
On Friday, during the heatwave and storms (all at the same time), guys were busily gluing up their tires for the racing ahead (very opportune time).  During this time, one busy modified driver was keenly gluing up his tires, and all of a sudden was rudely interrupted…….by what? another racer….NO, a bolt of lightning….NO, a loud clap of thunder…..NO, the fumes from all the glue…..NO,  a small frog….YES!  You heard it right and small frog!  His eyes were popping out of his head and he jumped out of his chair….maybe even a shriek was heard but no crying like a schoolgirl – from the school boy (see if you can guess who it was?)
As I mentioned before….those that know me, know that I am usually well equipped for all aspects of racing and also like my pit area clean and tidy.  I think its a mandatory requirement for my real job!  Anyway, I left for some food (which took forever) and whilst the rats are away the mice will play….and play did they what! (with some major encouragement from some sidekicks).  I am sure some pics will surface (before and after shots).  When I finally arrived back with food in hand, there was Ryan Maker pacing the carpark like a Cheshire cat.  I was wondering why he was doing that, but was too hungry to really care.  I got back to my pit table to find my Mi4 was now powered by an all natural source of clean energy……an apricot and almond muesli bar, new low centre of gravity weights ($2 coins) mounted to my arms, new impact resistant frt body mounts (shock springs), and just in case my sesame seeds snaps caught fire, they were placed in the lipo sack….for safety!  I could keep going on……as there was heaps more. 
 
Standout performances
Over the course of the weekend, there were two major standout performances and they were  both relatively new to the hobby and both young and keen as.  In fact, I know that one of the boys hardly slept and was like a kid on Christmas Day!  He was literally bouncing off the walls.  I even tried to wear him down and help his pit man (aka father – Geoff) regain some of his sanity by making him run drinks for me all weekend.  It did not work…..in fact, nothing did!  Oh well….to have such youth and enthusiasm again!  It was none other than Corey Broadstock.  It was his first National title event.  Corey has been only racing for a just over a year now and is developing into a great young racer!  He raced both Superstock and Modified on the weekend and did a fantastic job at both classes.  He qualified 6th in Superstock and 14th in Modified.  What a great result for such a young kid and at his first away trip and national event.  All weekend Corey drove clean and tidy, it was only due to mechanical failures from racing incidents that he did not improve his results.  I think from memory Corey finished round 2 of the modified qualifying in 5th overall!  In such a quality field that is an excellent result!
The next young gun is someone who I do not know a great deal about, but he certainly drove extremely well and well above his years.  Matthew Stamboulis (sorry if this is not spelt correct) was also attending his first ever National event and his second sanctioned event (other being the NSW state titles).  he has only been racing for about a year and is only 11 years old.  Matthew in a very competitive stock field finished on the podium in third place!  What a great achievement!  And I am sure he will have a great show and tell story for school this week.  (maybe check the Nationals coverage in Racing Lines???)
Both these boys raced well beyond their years and showed great sportsmanship and compsure throughout the event.  If this is the upcoming lots of new EP onroad racers coming through, racing in Australia will be very healthy and competitive for the years to come.
 
Mission Impossible 3 (that is 3 attempts)
Well, it was my third attempt at a national event (2006 Brendale, 2007 Little Hampton and 2009 Whelan).  My previous attempts have ended up in failure to finish the events (never making it past qualifying day).  Due to mechanical issues/failures.  This year, practice went well, I made it through qualifying without any issues, just driver issues….and even made it to the finals……qualified 19th and finished 15th.  B final is the race for the ‘would have’, could have’ and ‘should have’ group (no offence to all those like me)….the bragging rights over your mates.  I was looking forward to some hopefully close and clean racing with my fellow Mi4 driver Scotty G, but due to my brain fart and daydreaming, I drove off into pit wall and when I realised, I slammed the brakes turned and then tank slapped across the pit straight allowing Scotty G to go past with ease.  It was still good to start and finish my first nats.
 
2010 Onslaught
Next year the nationals will be held in Victoria.  I am secretly hoping for TFTR (Templestowe), but I am not sure if they are putting their hands up or not since they already have the Vic State titles in May.  So that leaves Boronia, Bendigo, Keillor and Lillydale.  My choice would be Bendigo (based off videos and feedback from other racers).  Time will tell……and will I be there? Yes/No, Maybe……too far away yet.  (but I hope so) 
 
Final Thoughts
Trips like this are always great as you get to race with the best, catchup with guys you haven’t seen in awhile or even decades (ie. Andrew Bolton I have not seen or spoken to since I was in my teens – and that was a long time ago), the stories and antics of the usual suspects and finally the different people you meet.  Til the next time boys and girls…..