DTC – Saturday 12 March 2016 Results
INTERCLUB CHALLENGE Round 2 – Lakeside Driver Training Centre
By Shane Murphy. Photos by Gloria Wade & Vyvyan Black.
Wow, 58 entries! Round 2 of the championship promised to be a huge affair, with a record entry list representing 12 clubs, including 11 LCQ entrants.
The Club (Daryl) really has developed a great reputation for running a stellar event, with a great support team in the wings. The team of volunteers once again stepped up to the mark, special thanks to:
Ken Philp, Liam Philp, Gail Hart – Driver Sign-on
Dick Reynolds, Steve Lennox, Clive Wade – Scrutineering
Martin O’Brien, Jason McGarry, Kris McKerron – Timing equipment set up
Gail Hart – Timing Recording all day
Jon Young – Track layout marker cones
Shane Murphy – Staging lights
A hot and blustery day welcomed us all, the track presented an interesting spectacle with a fair covering of dirt and dust from a previous rallycross event, nevertheless everyone was up for the challenge.
Having won the 2015 Challenge and leading the points score after Round 1, Lotus expectations were high. The newly introduced Pre-1986 class is gathering numbers and is sure to find good support with all clubs for the remaining events.
The day started off poorly for Matt Plowman who broke an intercooler on his Exige on the way to the track, surprisingly the cooler was damaged ‘on trailer’, perhaps a redesign is in the wings.
The official track sweeper (Car 1) was off the mark and for about 50 seconds Shane had the honour of claiming the fastest time of the day.
The large number of entries assisted everyone to have a good break between runs. We actually had six each, with the exception of Dick who managed twelve runs, as coincidentally the timer failed only on his runs and he managed to get a rerun with hot tyres.
Highlights of the day, apart from the fact that it was great fun and there were a lot of laughs included; James Pitt having his first crack at track work in his 1978 Toyota Corona and Vyvyan Black punting Karen’s Mini around the circuit, and staying on the bitumen.
The Pitts made every attempt to entertain the crowd all day with Kelly constantly challenging that pesky rev limiter, James really getting that Corona on the squealy edge and not to be outdone, Gary attempting a lap in a reasonably priced car simulation in the Corona, enough said about that.
Lowlights (disappointing but not serious) were Liam Philp breaking the diff off the start line in his Caterham and James Driscoll 1976 Jaguar D Type Replica springing a water leak and having to retire early in the day.
After our six runs and with the dust settled it was time to tally the scores, and we can humbly report that in the Club Outright and Club Road Registered it is Lotus Club over Porsche Club.
Overall points leader in the Individual Road Registered and Individual Outright classes is Martin O’Brien in his super quick Elise. Shane in his ever-steady state is second in the pre-86 class. “I have to find that extra second somewhere!”
We look forward to seeing everyone at the next round – MG Car Club Hillclimb – May 14.
