SCHUMACHER and Corally.
The Inaugral Gold Coast EP Grand Prix was held today at the Gold Coast track and what a great event it was. The gates were open nice and early so we could get set up and have some practice. Nominations were taken with a minimum of fuss and there were drivers entered in 4 classes – as it turned out there was about a full heat in each class with the mod being a composite mod/10.5 class.
It’s all history now but Schumacher cars came 1st in 2 classes and Corally cars came first in the other 2. Major breagging rights were held by Schumacher however as they had all three podium spots in one class.
540.
A strong 10 car field with the top half being experienced racers and the bottom end being newer drivers – some from a new club recently formed at Gympie – welcome guys and it was good to race you and meet some of you. Scott Perkins opened up with a good win in the first Qual in his mi4LP – good enough to hold TQ right through qualifying – nothing Heavy or the other guys could do about it. In final 1 Scott siezed a motor off the line and that was that – all the good qualifying for nothing. Heavy went on to win all three finals even moving to the back of the grid for the last final.
Young Chase Gregory managed a couple of seconds to give him the second podium spot and Scott came back in the last 2 legs to grab enough points to give him 3rd overall. 3 Mi4 LP’s on the podium. For the record mine was built by the book with the exception of grey belts and went on the track Sunday with no adjustments or changes necessary all day. I ran Sorex 32 B medium premounts all day with just Simple Green.
Stock
On paper at least a strong line up for stock but a couple were strangely off the pace today. In the end the qualifying went to Bob Vardy from Scott Perkins and Peter Beckett. Clinton Livingstone languishing down in 6th after a frustrating day searching for speed.
Bob (Schumacher) won the first 2 legs to lock up the title from Peter and Stephen Haliday.
Mod.
Can’t say I watched a full mod race all day as I was busy talking but I can say that Simon Nicholson (Corally) was untouchable by those racing today. Corey was the closest about 11 seconds away and leonard about half a lap away – that was how qualifying finished. Simon wrapped up all three finals and Corey snagged two 2nds to run out second overall with Leonard third
F1.
Martin (Corally) stamped his authority all over this class during qualifying and it was Bob who was the closest (about 11 seconds adrift)
In the finals Martin and Bob won one leg each to make the third leg intersting but Martin was too strong and won it by about 10 secs – so the overall finishing order was Martin, Bob and Leonard.
Chase ended his trophy haul for the day by picking up the top junior award as well.
The club has been in decline since the council banned nitro cars from there a year or more ago and Logan club have picked up the idea of running these EP only events to try to save the track as it is far too good to let go. The plan is to run a event about once a month or so – a sound idea I reckon – most of the racers there today appeared to be very happy that the track was back.