DMCC On Road Gas Nationals Oct 2008
Race Report - 11/2/2008 9:45:02 PM
5th Round of Sarda Gas On-Road SA Championships
Durban (2nd time) 2008- Report by Trav
200mm
After the disappointment of a rained out Durban nat at the beginning of the year, inlanders and locals alike were keen to sample some more Durban poison. Karl and Warick especially, were more than ready to delve into the depths of Totti.
200mm offered a lot, with duels expected throughout the field as well as some unfinished business that needed tending from TRAP. Even though there were a few notable absences, all assembled were looking forward to a great weekend of racing.
Practice
The inland drivers (Bulls Suporters, HAHAHAHA!!!!) had clearly being packing away some ballistic pace since TRAP, as they all were up to pace remarkably quickly (Stan?). Munsie and Warick were finding a solid groove, but were quickly being challenged by some inspired locals. Of the locals, Mike, Dean, Al, John, Tony D and Clint were keeping up with the northern speed. Dave was diabolic (clearly time for another eye op.) and I was trying desperately to cram a years missed practice into one day.
From all accounts (Elias- Security guard), Stan was setting some impressive laps in the darkness and managed to train our security guard in the art of refuelling (an art Karl clearly hasn’t learnt; more on that later).
Sprints
With all Saturday sprints having to be rolled over to Sunday, it was a blessing in disguise that we had a low entry. We were still able to have 4 rounds of TOP class sprints.
Race 1
We witnessed a 4 round long duel in this class between Mischa, Craig, Chris, George and John. All these drivers drew on club experience to find the racing groove and pump in some ballistic times.
On the balance of racing it was clear that Mischa had setup his car to be easy to drive, and showed this by winning the overall tussle with some consistent times, only just missing out on an A-main spot; 1st in the B’s for Mischa.
The rest, however, had gone for the all-or-nothing, out-and-out pace approach. They appeared to be easily quick enough, but were either too busy battling with each other, or on roofs to keep it together for a full 5mins. Awesome lap times, great driving, but Mischa proves the quickest way around the track to be is to finish an uneventful, but consistent round.
Race 2
This race had come with speed to rival that of the A’s. Clint, Wim, Dean, Tony D and myself were pumping in some awesome times. That is, for the first 4min 30secs or so. I managed to get in a banker in round 2, but had to come from the back of the grid and lost plenty of time coming through the field. The rest of my day was a story of wrong transponders, wheels falling off and running too rich and out of fuel. Good enough for a 5th for me. Tony was grappling with having to have Dave tune his motor, and an unknown reason for a lack of normal pace. Tony ended up 6th. Clint showed unreal pace in the first round, coming from the pit to challenge for the lead in 1 lap; but also had an unidentifiable binding problem somewhere in his car making the engine top out at 300F. Dean was having some unfortunate luck, but, almost miraculously, put in a stunner in round 3 to place him in 7th place. AWESOME DRIVE DEAN!
Race 3
All we need to mention here is names, and one gets an idea of the racing on offer. Mike, Munsie, Warick, Stan, Alan, Derick and Midnight himself (Ian and Rowan gone AWOL). The day was a story of 3 races within this one race. In each round we had a break away by Mike and Munz. They were being chased by Warick and Alan who always lost about 5/10secs at the start and then pegged the leaders back. At the back with diabolic luck were Stan (who always only finished building his car 30secs into the race), Dave, and Derick. It would be true to say that these guys have all had better days at the track for 200mm. Mike eventually took 1st, followed closely by Munz, Alan and Warick.
Looking forward to the final and it was clear to see that anyone from 1st to 7th had a shot at the win.
Final
B-Mains
As had been promised by the sprints, tight, ferocious racing was to ensue. True to it’s billing, there was a colossal first corner incident involving ¾ of the pack. From what remained, George, Craig, John and Mischa were off at the front but were closely followed by a very smooth Chris “PITMAN” Potgieter. Throughout the race, the first 5 were on the same lap, even though Mischa was having radio problems, Craig had a problem of some kind with his car and George and John’s cars seemed to be magnetised to the pipes (Still lightning quick though).
The clear driver of this class however, was Craig. He was the only driver capable of reeling in his exuberance from the sprints, whilst maintaining the ability of putting in 2 or 3 blitz laps at a time when required. He took the eventual victory followed by George, John and Mischa, Chris keeping them honest the whole way.
A-Mains
What hap promised to be the race of the weekend, petered out slightly when the time came round. It all started in the warm-up, when Karl left Warick’s car on and blew one of his 4 digit price tag servos. This forced a radio call (giving my dad time to realise there was no fuel in my car) and delaying the start. When the race finally did get underway, Warick had to start late from the pit. In the first few laps the running order was Mike, Munz, Myself, Al and the rest (I was driving, kinda hard to keep track). If I remember, Dean and Wim were having a monumental battle and Tony D was only a handful of seconds off Alan.
How quickly a race can change.
Mike put his car on it’s roof and blew a motor a few laps later. This left Myself and Alan 2 secs behind Munz, the three of us biding time for the moment. Then I stripped first gear, leaving Munz up front, followed by Alan and Tony D.
Remember I noted Karl’s ability with a fuel gun. Well I’ve been asked to make mention of his ability to Niagra a Four digit price tag servo (YES; Warick’s second one in 10mins. Apparently a skill Joelsie also Posses when applied to Stan’ 1/8th).
From here on in, it was a story of Alan trying to erase a 5second lead and Munz trying to retain it. It was an awesome race to watch, and proved that drivers don’t have to be 2 tenths of a second apart to give a great spectacle. Munslow eventually won it, followed by Alan and Tony.
Congrats to Mike on his Sprint Championship win, and Munz on the Enduro title. A special mention goes out to Ivan, who’s largely unmentioned work goes unnoticed, and unappreciated. That is, until everyone else has to pick up the slack. Thanks too go to Tony, Clint, the Scouts and Terry.
We hope to see a return to record breaking attendance the next time we see you all, either at Border, DMCC or TVR/Trap.
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