Round 1 - Oran Park
posted 19th February 2008 What a way to start '08!
All weather conditions were experienced when TEKA rocked up at Oran Park for Round 1 of the AKA Endurance Championship!
35 teams and 80+ drivers dealt with unpredictable weather conditions through practice, and again in the race.
The anticipation was high, as was the interest from new teams. A grade was full of the usual suspects along with a couple of additions. A reshuffle for XLR8, and the same with Full Noise (now BMR Blind Men Racing soon to be in a new, guess it — chassis). Dynamite front man has joined forces with ex Kinetic driver in a new Phoenix and the rest of his team have also joined A grade (Team Pazzesco) after their sensational turn of speed last year in B grade. Also in A welcome back to Dan Misdale in JBM recruiting Mal and Graeme (previously winning B Grade with Peter in GP Racing). Good to see competitive part timers Wild Hogs back – hope you stick around!
As for B grade some of last years teams are stepping up expecting to dominate and a host of new teams have entered planning to stop them. Welcome, to possibly the most competitive new team W.A.R. Racing. Team King of Parts is back with a slightly new line up. Trouble Makers join us for the first time (hope you’re here to stay, expect trouble to follow you) and Team C & I are sure to become a force fronted by ex GP Racing Pete Holland. Horsepower Racing Too also have the credentials moving up from B2. Welcome Team Gonzo, with one of the best looking karts around and an experienced mentor in Andrew Mills watch out for them! Ice Tech is back (previously Able Door Services 2) with Mitch and possibly a new driver line up.
B2 is at it’s fullest with 6 karts competing! Three R’s are back and will have a little more experience than their competition. Welcome to SBT Racing and the sensationally turned out BBR Racing outfit! Alspec appear for the first time hope they’re in for the season, it’s gonna to be big!
After all conditions were experienced in practice Dynamite’s new Phoenix set the fastest time followed by new comers W.A.R. Racing (who were ahead of all other A grade teams).
Qualifying was combined, and for a period of 15 minutes. In A grade the Dynamite Phoenix was again fastest closely followed by Mariner’s and RAW both in BRMs. The aptly named team of Baby Bonus Racing was fourth in their PCR followed by EKA (never know what they’re in).
Dominating B grade qualifying was W.A.R. coming in fastest with King of Parts the only team really to keep them honest. The new Team C & I showing a great result managing 3rd fastest in B, followed by Ya Gotta Wanna and Horse Power Too.
Mariner 2 were fastest in B2 followed by one of the sexiest new teams BBR Racing and the hire kart boyz from Team Bugleinen.
The race started in dry conditions. Dynamite pulled away followed by RAW, Mariners and XLR8. EKA and Baby Bonus also stayed in touch! Team C & I in B Grade were running strongly along with W.A.R. who had come from the back of the grid!
Not long after the first hour the rain came, light at first becoming constant over the next hour!
Road Runner were strong in the conditions changing to wets early, Dynamite’s Managing Director Jamie enjoying the rain and preferring slicks until being forced to come with a misfire and making the change. There was one kart preferring the slicks even more (craziness) and boy they were havin’ fun, BMR – Blind Men Racing! Congratulations to the only team that remained on slicks through about two hours of rain! Old maybe, gutsy definitely! Both Horsepower karts were circulating up the front. The colour change in 888 and old face in 777 possibly bringing renewed confidence.
W.A.R. still unshakable and the Four Sale team moving up in the field. XLR8 also starting to make a move toward the front of the field remaining consistent in the rain.
Team King of Parts, Toynton and Horsepower Racing Too looked to the only ones who could challenge W.A.R. for a B grade win. In B2 Team BBR were running high in the order circulating in the top 20 for most of the day!
The run home would be interesting with at least one pace kart and drying track (ending up dry for around an hour) and the bulk of the field remaining on wet weather tyres.
In the end no one could catch the Dynamite Phoenix with Road Runner closest trailing by 32 seconds. Team Four Sale just beat home W.A.R. Racing who on their way to a solid 4th outright took out 1st in B Grade. RAW who were up the front for much of the day took out 5th place followed by JBM and XLR8.
In B grade Horsepower Racing Too a huge result in second, and Toynton a solid start to their ’08 campaign coming home 3rd. Well done to Trouble Makers in their first TEKA race finishing 4th in B.
Bring on Albury!
Justin Sydenham
For any details on this infectious category of go kart racing call Justin Sydenham on 0417 330229.
Photos courtesy of Tony Castley. View the enitre set and contact Tony directly to purchase.
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