News
Locals dominate at Mallala
It wasnt just the series that had changed either Smerdon himself was behind the wheel of a new car having taken delivery of the ex-James Courtney BF (now converted to BA-spec) Falcon built by Stone Brothers Racing during the second half of the 2010 season.
Whilst an immaculate example of SBR engineering Smerdon had not conducted any test laps on the South Australian circuit – a circuit he admitted rewarded local knowledge – so he was making no early predictions as the 15-strong field lined up for opening practice on Friday morning.
“This is a new car for me around here Smerdon admitted “and whilst in past years I would have been out here doing laps this year Ive been so busy I just couldnt commit the time.
“We had a fairly disappointing run at Wakefield despite the ultimate result [Chris carding second for the weekend] but I think that was just my ability to make the car twice as wide – we were really off the game.
“Mallala rewards local knowledge no question. For some of the guys that are new to the circuit theyre going to spend a fair bit of time coming to grips with the idiosyncrasies of the track. Its only relatively short but some of the corner exits are deceiving they tighten up and you run out of room pretty quickly. Hopefully we can take advantage of that knowledge and get the jump on the field early.
Jump he did and to back up his pre-event comments Barossa local Michael Bartsch [Cavalier Homes] did exactly the same thing taking his ex-Smerdon/Steve Ellery AU Falcon to position two the two local drivers comfortably clear of the field throughout practice.
Of the challengers Terry Wyhoon [Lubrimaxx BA Falcon] was slow to find his mark whilst Matt Hansen [Australian Custom Moulders] with his ex-HRT VY Commodore resplendent in the colours of the team that built it revelling in his recent miles in the Supercar Development Series moving up the order to be classified third by the close of the second practice session. Sadly that would be about the last wed see of the famous red and white Holden livery as Hansen was forced to park the car during the third and final session of the day with what was diagnosed as a broken piston.
“It started to breathe pretty heavily as that session wore on Hansen admitted afterwards “so I came in and we checked it and discovered an oil pressure issue so we pulled the pin before it got much worse.
“We were going brilliantly I was very happy especially now that weve received all the right suspension bits. We had the wrong camber kit on the car at Wakefield which happened because we couldnt get the parts we needed in time and that had a big bearing on our performance. This time round though that wasnt an issue and we were working our way forward.
“Yeah its disappointing but not as bad as a complete engine failure. Well send the engine back to Walkinshaw Racing to investigate and be ready for Eastern Creek.
Whilst the Hansen team was packing up to return home alongside them in the garage the SA Tractors/Retro Blast team of Isi Ambrosio and Dean Kovacevich was rebuilding the front of their car
“I had a bit of an off on the run to turn seven and whilst its a setback its pretty much just superficial and coming all the way from WA we make sure theres plenty of spares to fix what we need to on the road so well be back for race one Ambrosio confirmed afterwards.
The West Australian team worked tirelessly to prepare the ex-Perkins Engineering VY for qualifying but they missed their slot so were forced to apply for a rear-of-field start for race one alongside none other than Terry Wyhoon.
“I have no answer for why I didnt get past turn six Wyhoon admitted after being questioned as to why his ex-SBR BA Falcon was stranded on the circuit without completing a lap of qualifying bringing out what would be the first of two red flags in the session.
On return to the pits Wyhoon discovered a broken drive shaft was the culprit leaving the team the job of replacing the unit prior to the first 14-lapper along with a replacement crownwheel and pinion on the sister car of Michael Hector [Carrington Equipment Group BA Falcon].
The second red flag came not long after the field returned to the circuit Chris Delfsma [Century 21 Hazelbrook] rolling to a stop at turn seven after a stuck throttle necessitated a grab for the kill switch. As the course car returned to the circuit Delfsma managed to fire the ex-Craig Bastian AU and return it to the pits for attention before returning in the final moments of the session to record a time. Sadly for the Hazelbrook realtor his final lap was baulked on the last corner by Nathan Garioch [Valley Longwall International BA Falcon] who was on a slow down lap the teenager having missed the fast approaching AU in his mirrors.
Up front though qualifying was dominated by Smerdon with a surprised Michael Bartsch second just a quarter of a second in arrears of his mentor.
“Im not doing anything different to what we have in the past Bartsch admitted “so clearly there is an advantage in having done hundreds of laps around here. Look the car is going better than it ever has and were managing to conserve tyres really well so well keep our fingers crossed for a good result in the three races.
Third was series points leader Scott Loadsman [Beautiful Tiles VY Commodore] who was looking to consolidate his championship position against the strong local competition and a closely following pack led by Justin Garioch [Valley Longwall International BA Falcon] Mark Shepherd [Warby Lodge BA Falcon] and Jim Pollicina [Poll Performance VY Commodore] – positions three through six covered by just three one hundredths of a second..
Whilst at round one the qualifying positions didnt reflect the final outcome of Time Attack at Mallala Chris Smerdon remained on top for maximum points with Loadsman leap-frogging Bartsch for second the local AU driver missing out by just a tenth with Pollicina leading home the ever-improving Nathan Garioch.
For opening round sensation Justin Garioch though his strong qualifying effort wasnt reflected in his eventual tenth placed Time Attack result an off on his fast lap dropping him to rear of field.
Off the third row of the grid for the start of race one Mark Shepherd got an absolute blinding start to charge down the middle of row two and challenge the leaders on the run into turn one. Loadsman started to squeeze the Warby Lodge Falcon the two making brief contact before Shepherd backed out Loadsman wearing steering damage as a result.
This allowed Nathan Garioch to force his way through on Shepherd a lap later with Pollicina joining the fray soon after.
Up front though Smerdon pushed hard to break away from the pack with Bartsch not far behind the duo freight-training to the line well clear of Wyhoon who quickly recovered from a rear of field start.
Loadsman held on for fourth despite an ill-handling car with Justin Garioch close behind.
Off row two for the second race Terry Wyhoon charged into the lead at turn one splitting the two South Australians on the run to the first turn [clipping Bartsch on the way through the narrow gap].
Behind him the two local stars were struggling to keep ahead of the charging Loadsman who was battling the close attention of Justin Garioch.
Loadsman ultimately got the better of Garioch who spun on lap seven after getting onto the power too early on the run onto the front straight the spin dropping him to rear of field. That opened the door for younger brother Nathan who was pushing hard in the ex-FPR Falcon and it also allowed Loadsman to concentrate on the two Falcons in front of him.
By mid-race hed caught Bartsch and threw it down the inside in the run to turn five a lap later he tried the same approach on Smerdon running deep down the inside under brakes before making contact with the Falcons right hand rear door. The impact turned the local driver around on the exit of the corner fortunately spinning him full circle and back into action dropping just a couple of spots in the process.
“I didnt expect that he shrugged afterwards. Fortunately for Loadsman the incident went without penalty allowing the Commodore pilot to take second at the flag with Bartsch taking third just clear of the recovering Smerdon.
For Wyhoon whilst the win was welcome he admitted that like Smerdon and Bartsch it came at the expense of his tyres. “We havent found the sweet spot with the car yet Terry admitted. “I was throwing everything I had at it that race and doing as much work onboard to adjust the car accordingly but nothing much seemed to work. Well go away and have a look at it for the final race but its going to be a hard one..
Those words must have been ringing in Wyhoons ears off the start of race three as the experienced Touring Car veteran stalled on the line and sat watching the field race past him with visions of Karl Reindlers firey startline incident at Barbagallo just weeks before playing through his head.
Fortunately the field made it through without incident as Terry re-fired the car to rejoin the field although a long way back.
That left Loadsman alone up front the Holden driver doing what he could on the opening lap to stay ahead of Smerdon but to no avail the local driver working his way into the lead by turn three a lead he would hold until the flag.
Behind them Wyhoon recovered to start his charge through the field but he would get no further than sixth after using what grip he had left on his way through the field in the opening laps.
Further forward the Garioch brothers were having a strong run before Justin retired on lap seven with fuel issues and Nathan just three laps before the end with a broken steering rack a result of contact with Shepherd in race two.
Whilst the Garioch boys failed to add to their championship tally Mark Shepherd was having one of the drivers of his short Touring Car career to work his way into fourth by the flag two seconds clear of Pollicina with Wyhoon a distant sixth.
For the weekend though the result was victory to Smerdon with two wins and a fourth over the consistent if not aggressive Loadsman who pipped the driver of the event Michael Bartsch for second by just a single point. Aside from round victory at home the result also saw Smerdon move to within a single point of Loadsman in the championship hunt with Wyhoon a distant but at this stage safe third.
“Thats it for me Wyhoon laughed afterwards “no more dramas from hereon its wins Im after and that championship trophy Theres still nine races to go¦ bring it on!
Fifth for the weekend after a solid and consistent performance was a very happy Mark Shepherd with Pollicina sixth. Despite a DNF in the final race Nathan Garioch had done enough for seventh just clear of team-mates Steve Voight (Voight Contracting VY Commodore) and Aaron Tebb (Macarthur Trucks VY Commodore). Tebb had done a solid job all weekend – after the dramatic end of race incident at Wakefield Park with John Vergotis – the Sydney Star Racing team repairing the car in time for Mallala allowing Aaron to regain his pre-season form which has seen him just off the tail of the lead pack.
For team-mate Steve Voight a head cold had kept him from his Wakefield Park form the illness forcing him to ask officials if V8 Ute specialist Chris Pither could take his place for Sundays racing – sadly for both of them it was ruled out.
Justin Garioch was classified tenth which was absolutely no reflection of his lap times or his ability to push the ex-Britek Falcon around the Mallala circuit with Chris Delsfma still struggling with fuel issues for a frustrated eleventh. Twelfth was Shaun Fennell [Graham Body Works VX Commodore] who was lucky to make race day after a once-common airbox fire during practice. “I felt like having a BBQ over the back of the circuit for the officials he quipped later.
With assistance from the other teams the Victorian was soon back in action and recording some solid runs in the ex-Imrie Motorsport Commodore.
Behind him Isi Ambrosio recorded the teams first points for the year after a strong recovery from the practice off and subsequent contact with Michael Hector in race two whilst Hector himself admitted he had a ball in his second ever motorsport event the Falcon pilot acknowledging the work of Wyhoons Image Racing crew to make him more comfortable in the car.
“They moved the seat and changed the gear shift to suit and it made a world of difference he beamed post race. “Id also set a benchmark for myself this weekend and I was about three seconds a lap faster than that so all Im up rapt and really looking forward to Eastern Creek.
Round #3 of the Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series will be run at Eastern Creek on July 15-17. For more information on the Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series please visit their website; www.v8touringcars.com.au
V8 Touring Cars is proudly supported by Kumho Tyres (www.kumho.com.au).
2011 Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Cars
Rnd#2 Mallala (Shannons Nationals) – May 13-15
Qualifying
1. Chris Smerdon – Smerdon Racing BA Falcon (1:09.6633)
2. Michael Bartsch – Cavalier Homes Barossa AU Falcon (1:09.9101)
3. Scott Loadsman – Beautiful Tiles VY Commodore (1:10.4286)
4. Justin Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon (1:10.4374)
5. Mark Shepherd – Warby Lodge BA Falcon (1:10.4498)
6. Jim Pollicina – Poll Performance VY Commodore (1:10.4592)
7. Steve Voight – Voight Contracting VY Commodore (1:10.6250)
8. Nathan Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon (1:10.9666)
9. Aaron Tebb – Macarthur Truckserve VY Commodore (1:10.9711)
10. Chris Delfsma – Century 21 Hazelbrook AU Falcon (1:12.0094)
11. Sean Fennell – Graham Body Works VX Commodore (1:17.7523)
12. Terry Wyhoon – Lubrimaxx BA Falcon (NTR)
13. Isi Ambrosio – SA Tractor/Retro Blast VY Commodore (DNQ)
14. Michael Hector – Carrington Equip. Group BA Falcon (DNQ)
15. Matthew Hansen – Aust. Custom Moulders VY Commodore (DNQ)
Time Attack
1. Chris Smerdon – Smerdon Racing BA Falcon (1:11.0695)
2. Scott Loadsman – Beautiful Tiles VY Commodore (1:11.6040)
3. Michael Bartsch – Cavalier Homes Barossa AU Falcon (1:11.7423)
4. Jim Pollicina – Poll Performance VY Commodore (1:11.7760)
5. Nathan Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon (1:12.0341)
6. Steve Voight – Voight Contracting VY Commodore (1:12.1673)
7. Mark Shepherd – Warby Lodge BA Falcon (1:12.3319)
8. Chris Delfsma – Century 21 Hazelbrook AU Falcon (1:12.4863)
9. Aaron Tebb – Macarthur Truckserve VY Commodore (1:12.7858)
10. Justin Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon (1:12.9015)
Race#1 (14-laps)
1. Chris Smerdon – Smerdon Racing BA Falcon
2. Michael Bartsch – Cavalier Homes Barossa AU Falcon
3. Terry Wyhoon – Lubrimaxx BA Falcon
4. Scott Loadsman – Beautiful Tiles VY Commodore
5. Justin Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon
6. Jim Pollicina – Poll Performance VY Commodore
7. Mark Shepherd – Warby Lodge BA Falcon
8. Nathan Garioch – Valley Longwall BA Falcon
9. Steve Voight – Voight Contracting VY Commodore
10. Aaron Tebb – Macarthur Truckserve VY Commodore
11. Sean Fennell – Graham Body Works VX Commodore
12. Isi Ambrosio – SA Tractor/Retro Blast VY Commodore
13. Chris Delfsma – Century 21 Hazelbrook AU Falcon
14. Michael Hector – Carrington Equip. Group BA Falcon
Fastest lap: Chris Smerdon (1:10.4337) – lap 4
Race#2 (14-laps)
1. Terry Wyhoon – Lubrimaxx BA Falcon
2. Scott Loadsman – Beautiful Tiles VY Commodore
3. Michael Bartsch – Cavalier Homes Barossa AU Falcon
4. Chris Smerdon – Smerdon Racing BA Falcon
5. Mark Shepherd – Warby Lodge BA Falcon
6. Nathan Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon
7. Jim Pollicina – Poll Performance VY Commodore
8. Aaron Tebb – Macarthur Truckserve VY Commodore
9. Steve Voight – Voight Contracting VY Commodore
10. Justin Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon
11. Sean Fennell – Graham Body Works VX Commodore
12. Michael Hector – Carrington Equip. Group BA Falcon
13. Isi Ambrosio – SA Tractor/Retro Blast VY Commodore
14. Chris Delfsma – Century 21 Hazelbrook AU Falcon (13-laps)
Fastest lap: Scott Loadsman (1:10.3755) – lap 7 (new lap record)
Race#3 (14-laps)
1. Chris Smerdon – Smerdon Racing BA Falcon
2. Scott Loadsman – Beautiful Tiles VY Commodore
3. Michael Bartsch – Cavalier Homes Barossa AU Falcon
4. Mark Shepherd – Warby Lodge BA Falcon
5. Jim Pollicina – Poll Performance VY Commodore
6. Terry Wyhoon – Lubrimaxx BA Falcon
7. Aaron Tebb – Macarthur Truckserve VY Commodore
8. Steve Voight – Voight Contracting VY Commodore
9. Chris Delfsma – Century 21 Hazelbrook AU Falcon
10. Isi Ambrosio – SA Tractor/Retro Blast VY Commodore
11. Michael Hector – Carrington Equip. Group BA Falcon
12. Sean Fennell – Graham Body Works VX Commodore
DNF. Nathan Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon (11-laps)
DNF. Justin Garioch – Valley Longwall Int. BA Falcon (7-laps)
Fastest lap: Nathan Garioch (1:10.6109) – lap 5
Championship points (after round two of five);
1. Scott Loadsman – 219
2. Chris Smerdon – 218
3. Terry Wyhoon – 179
4. Michael Bartsch – 142
5. Justin Garioch – 117
6. Jim Pollicina – 116
7. Steven Voight – 116
8. Mark Shepherd – 99
9. Nathan Garioch – 91
10. Tony Evangelou – 87
11. Aaron Tebb – 62
12. Chris Delfsma – 58
13. Matt Hansen – 44
14. John Vergotis – 39
15. Michael Hector – 38
16. Stuart Inwood – 31
17. Shaun Fennell – 29
18. Isi Ambrosio – 28
19. Steve Ingwersen – 20
20. Derrick Hocking – 17
21. Sean Fardell – 15
2011 Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Cars calendar
Rnd#1 – Wakefield Park NSW (April 2-3)
Rnd#2 – Mallala SA (May 14-15)
Rnd#3 – Eastern Creek NSW (July 16-17)
Rnd#4 – Sandown VIC (September 10-11)
Rnd#5 – Phillip Island VIC (November 5-6)