Phillip Island Sprints
Competition Report By Peter Thomson
MSCA Phillip Island Super Sprint Sunday September 21st
The week leading up to the sprint was one of dismal forecasts for dismal weather, and hence a pretty dismal mood. After all the rigmarole of entering, paying up, getting accommodation, online drivers' briefings, getting the car and all the gear prepped and packed, the last thing you want to hear is that you will be just driving slowly to survive in the rain. Saturday afternoon we did the usual and met at the Avalon BP to then travel in convoy to Cowes where Nick had organised a large house for nearly all of us. It was cloudy, not looking good, and raining after we arrived. The next morning was even more cloudy and threatening as we headed to the track arriving a bit after 7am. Everything organised with cars and gear we made our way over to the check-in to get our group number window stickers, wrist bands, and for those that needed them, Dorian Timers to attach to their cars. After a wait, we had a drivers briefing at 8.40am, then things began in earnest a bit after 9.00am.
Nick was first up in Group 1 in his Porsche Macan; first to be ready and first to deal with track procedures and conditions - not a group I like being in! BUT, despite the ominous looking weather, the track was DRY! I went up top to watch, and lap after lap he was hard on the tail of a Bug Eye Sprite. On the last lap or so he finally passed the Sprite. When Nick was in, it was most enjoyable to mention the unneeded expense of a Porsche, when you could go faster in a Sprite. Nick was quicker, but given the horsepower of the Sprite he did a great job at 2'08.9" to Nick's 2'07.3" As with all of us, Nick drove faster as the day went on, and with no Sprites holding him up.
Next out in Group 3 was Chris in his Renault Megane, in which he was learning its limits, in what I think was its first outing on the track. As with Nick's, a very powerful road car, but also front wheel drive, which would be so different to his rear wheel drive MGB GT. I think you have to be pretty game to punt a car on the racetrack, knowing you have to drive home in it!
Group 4 was an awesome group with Triumphs, Sprites, MGs and few moderns, and all of us in it, along with a few from the MGCC Vic. With the track still dry it took a couple of laps to get the feel of it, then it was on for young and old. After passing Craig I was on my own for a large part of the session and was grateful for nearly catching another B that knew the exit off the track at turn four. I reckon I would have missed it. After the first session they organise each group into a running order based on individual times. I was a bit disappointed I was 2.6 seconds slower than Deahly, but pleased when there was only one car between us for the next session.
Run 2 saw everybody's times improve. Brendan was having some fun with Tony Lupton from the Vic club in a MGB GT and just bettered him with a 0.374 second faster time. Meanwhile I'm chasing the Triumph GT6 in front of me, when a black and red B with more power on the straights passed me then held me up on all the turns. Not happy, but at least now Deahly was only nearly one second in front.
Run 3 and the track was miraculously still dry. This time I was next car out behind Graham and the chase was on. One could be rude and dive bomb on the inside before they move to the apex, but not a nice thing to do, risking damage to both cars. Finally I got my chance and was along side and through just before the apex. Finally the deal was done, but unfortunately soon to be undone. Now the hunter became the hunted, with every mirror filled with the grille of a white B hard on my bumper. I finally let the pressure get to me and trying too hard, over cooked turn 2 and went spinning off into the grass with my left bumper end nicely ploughing the embankment. Luckily the car restarted and didn't get bogged, thus allowing a very muddy and grass covered car to return to the pits after a slow final lap. All was good though as my time was just that bit faster. Brendan meanwhile was still on with Tony Lupton and they reversed roles with Tony quicker by 0.374 of a second this session. So close! It is so much more fun when you are sparring with someone. Everyone had improved, making their fastest times this session. I think Craig though, will be much happier when he gets his Midget back, and I'm sure it will be quicker than the V8. I also wonder if Ross is missing his RV8 and giving us a hard time with it.
Finally after threatening all day, the heavens opened up and it bucketed down. Cars went on trailers and there were no thoughts as to doing a slow, dangerous run 4 in the rain - especially after the other sessions having been such a high!
Later that evening back at the house we watched the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix. It's just amazing watching these cars get 300 kph in the blink of an eye, and then making the comparison to our cars where we all slowly wind up to high 180's by the end of Phillip Island's main straight! Oh well….
Modern Results:
Nick Wood Porsche Macan 2' 05.66"
Chris Freeman Renault Megane 2' 17.85"
Old Banger Results:
Peter Thomson MGB Roadster 2' 07.63"
Graham Deahl MGB Roadster 2' 08.32"
Craig Ballinger MGB GT V8 2' 10.58"
Brendan Sullivan MGA 2' 11.98"
Ross Boyd MGB Roadster 2' 16.52"
