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WA Front Engine Racing Car News March 2009

Well Phillip Island was despite its very poor weather, a terrific meeting. Lots of hard luck stories and just as many highlights.

I learned a new laugh whilst I was there too. I was talking to an old time touring car driver who referred to another competitor as "unable to get into his car with his wallet in his pocket". Can you guess which Former World Champion F1 driver he was talking about? Yep he is an Aussie.

Back to the Event! From the JKL brigade we had Charlie Mitchell, John Rowe and I and that was it waving the WA banner in racing. The Group S guys and Regularity had a few more so might not have felt so lonely. The Barnes brigade was hard at it and has assembled a great selection of photos on their website which is well worth the visit. You get some insight into the rain and fog prevailing over the circuit. It was that bad, trust me it wasn't pretty and many competitors chose to skip events because of the visibility and risk of losing it. I managed a great lose coming through the kink at the Hayshed and had second thoughts on why I was out there but I must say that I am glad for the practice, not too many overtaking chances at Barbagallo but put 50 cars on the track and add water and even I had a good chop at it. Yes it is true the BMH lost its tail on the trip over due to some careless loading but all was fixed prior to the start so it didn't matter. Other hard luck story was from John Davies with brake problems that wouldn't go away. Bugger wasn't it John. I am sure the rest of the FER guys had a trouble free time, wet but trouble free. The Group N guys had it real tough, there Marquee disappeared overnight in the high winds and some cars were damaged. They spent the Sunday out in the rain and wind and it was terrible. I was doing fine up in the main pits rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, eating all the delights with lots of hot coffee. The racing was a little disjointed as we only had three races and none were handicapped so no chance of us getting up against some of the more lethal cars albeit I am sure everyone had their own personal triumphs, mine was going past the 'Stovebolt Special' which is Powered by a bent Chevy 8 and then shaving 5 seconds off my best at the circuit.

Follow this link to the Phillip Island Photos
Barnsie's Photos

So what comes next?

Centenary Celebrations at Boulder and Lake Perkolilli

Kalgoorlie for those with the pre war cars or interested visitors, be brave and bring along your partners on the tour. I have heard that the Langtrees tour is enlightening too the female gender. See the VSCC website for event details.

Here is the link to VSCC site with all the details
Kalgoorlie Weekend

Northam Flying 50

Yes only two weeks away and there are 120 plus entries. Will be another great event I am sure. Sorry I won't be in the FER pit this year as I will be over with the Group N crowd, they have promised to teach me a trick or two. I am not too sure because my seat has drive is at the other end of the car and to compound it, it is only 1300cc!! The only similarity between the BMH and the new car is that they are yellow, but I will be sure to see the JKL action as a spectator for a change. There will be several new cars attending Northam 2009 and talking to their owners some a very interesting indeed. Well worth the hours drive to see them.

Barbagallo - April 19th.

This is our first racing event for this year and is only one of three, so don't miss out. Alistair will be there in the Dodge hopefully with his new Log Book! Yes it is that close. Ed has the new clutch ready to go into the J2.

Winton/Albany

Well you cannot have both so choose now as they are the same June long weekend. Winton entries are now on the web so be quick as the fields fill fast. Albany negotiations are still going on and I am sure will be resolved soon so keep an eye out on the website for entry details and get an entry in early. I don't want to see any sad faces, entries are limited.

Thomas A. Benson

NEXT MONTH

News to come

A new Group L sports on the way back. Its Tasmanian and F--d Powered

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