DTC – May 2014

The preparations for this event began nearly four weeks ago. In fact, it was 20/01/2014 when Daryl Wilson began to sort the dates for this year’s events.

Due to the popularity of the Lakeside Driver Training Circuit (DTC) track, we could only get three events for the year, the first two being on Saturdays.

A quick vote at the February meeting and we had agreed to the dates, assuming a reasonable turnout on the Saturdays.
1. Saturday 10th May 2014
2. Saturday 5th July 2014
3. Sunday 24th August 2014.

Now, Daryl sent out the usual email to attract entries, and in no time we had enough to fill a small cab – Prius maybe! Goodness! – what to do? Simple, rouse on the Lotus guys and ring the Sunshine Coast Motorsport Club and see if they’re interested.

Interested, bloody hell, they swamped us with enquires. Bit keen up that way. Then, sure enough, the Lotus people began to show some interest.

To keep a long story, short, we ended up with 41 entries. 17 of which were Lotus Club members, and the remainder – 24 for the numerically challenged – from all over.
Now that is a great turnout, covering our costs and manageable on the day.

So, to the day in question.

Mildly sunny and not too cold, track warm enough for some good times, and a possible rain-storm later in the day.

Daryl busied himself setting up the timing, Jeff Jackson and I set about scrutineering all the cars and Jon Young, Matt Plowman, Shane Murphy, Clive Wade and others set about arranging witches hats, cleaning things and generally running around organising. We had a few tents this time, so it all took on the look of a Bedouin camp of sorts. Drivers briefing was short and very clear; drive fast and be careful.

The runs started about 9.00am and we managed to fit in seven on the day. Matt Plowman (Scura) immediately threw down the gauntlet with a 47.415, Gary Pitt (Elise HPE) a 46.870, Paul Tredenick (new member in his PRB composite) a 46.933. There then followed a brace of Elises and Exiges, with one lone Caterham (me) and a Chrysler Sigma (Tim Hill, President of the SSCMC) somewhere in there.

Shane Murphy and Ken Philp spent the day sorting their Sevens, Jay Bowden likewise getting used to his new R spec tyres. Ian Martin, Evan Molloy, Lindsay Close, Martin O’Brien, Vern Madden and Michael Walsh kept the Lotus ‘Moderns’ flag flying, with Ken Philp, Daryl Wilson, Jay Bowden and myself punting the oldies so to speak.

It was nice to see a couple of Escorts in there, along with a Ford Sierra Cosworth, an Audi A3, 2 x 240Z’s, a gaggle of Nissany type things, a WRX Subaru Brumby!, Ferrari 250 GTO (Yeah! Right!), Porsche 911 Carrera, MX5’s and a couple of partridges in a nearby pear tree.

By the last run, we were all pretty content with a great day’s racing, having completed seven runs, and only suffering two breakdowns. Jay Bowden with a broken diff and Paul Tredenick with a misfire in his very expensive Toyota Twin Cam engine. A few left early, either busy, tired or protecting the car.

Matt Plowman once again won the day in his outrageously quick Scura, closely followed by Gary Pitt in the HPE and then Paul Tredenick in the PRB, posting an earlier time sufficient for third place.

I would like to mention a few particular performances. Liam Philp borrowed the ‘old man’s’ Caterham and promptly bettered his time – don’t let him near the car Ken! Tim Hill punted his ugly, but effective, stripped down Sigma into 9th place. Robert Turner easily out-smiled anyone with a spirited run in the Carrera on road tyres. Gloria Wade took some great photos which will be on the web. Jon Young helped for most of the day, sans a car – thanks Jon!

And lots of people, particularly Kelly Pitt, helped with the timing. Can’t wait for the next one!

Dick Reynolds