2008 Island Magic
Re-counted from unreliable memoirs.
22-23 November 2008
Words The Parrot. Pics Grease Monkey
Contrary to the weather bureau’s warning of Biblical proportions for the entire weekend it turned out most delightful.
Qualifying was held in overcast conditions on Saturday morning. Rob Braune snagged pole with a 1.51.5 on lap 7 of 8. 2nd was Darren Collins and 3rd Scott Slater. Jervis only managed one lap, having overcome hydraulic lock only to have another fuel pump die on him on the out lap.
Race 1
A little weather provided the Historics with a wet track for Saturday afternoon’s 5 lapper. Stupka got the jump on Ward off the back of the grid and beat him to the line, unfortunately it was the start, not finish. Up front, the usual fast starting Braune struggled on those rotten Hoosiers. Hibbert and Clempson got off to lead with Gary Edwards hot on their heals. In the end only 1 second separated Hibbert, Clempson and Edwards across the line. They were followed by Collins in the Camaro and then Ward, Braune and Dobson with just 2 seconds between them. The Charger of Braune finding grip as the laps went by. Paul Girt in the Nc Mini had a great run beating home Tobin, Cox, Lindner, FJ, Browning and Stupka.
Scott Slater didn’t make it home due to a loose radiator cap and Brewster busted a distributor. Fastest lap Edwards 2.05.1
Race 2 – Sunday am
The day started bright and sunny. Much better than Braune felt after the night before.
When the lights went out Braune shot off from 6th place and was never headed. Collins got down the power of the Camaro and secured 2nd place. Scott Slater drove his pants off from rear of the grid to 3rd place by lap 4, passing Edwards and the rest of the field. Some great mid pack battles saw Clempson, Ward, Hibbert and Brewster all finish with seconds of each other. Dobson and Tobin crossed the line 0.8 of a second apart whilst Browning and Girt also ran right to the line. Coxy had a lonely race, but that’s him, isn’t it? Alan Brown DNF’d. Fastest Lap: Braune 1.52.2
Race 3 – The Victorian Historic Touring Car Trophy – 8 laps
The start was all action. Collins into the lead followed by Braune and Ward, with Edwards and Slater very close by.
This front running group saw lots of action. Braune ran wide at Turn 2 on the 2nd lap dropping back to 6th place. Edwards ran wide at Lukey allowing Slater through to challenge Ward. Slater got in front of Ward at Honda only to lose it again at the hayshed. Tailgating Ward on the main straight on lap 3 Slater had an eye-opening excursion dropping back to 6th before finishing 5th.
Mat Jager and Leo Tobin had a great race swapping positions five times with Clempson passing them both before having a big moment and giving it all away.
Further along Cox, Dobson and Alan Brown traded places several times and Paul Girt beat Simon Browning home in front of Mick Stupka in the indestructible Imp.
The top six cars were only 10 seconds apart across the line. Fastest Lap Braune 1.51.9
All in all a good weekend and lots of clean racing with drivers giving each other room and track position.
Well done….