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7
October
Competition Group
26th
Dad's Army
27th
November
General Meeting
2nd
Workshop Saturday
7th
Club Management Committee
16th
Competition Group
23rd
Dad's Army
24th
Vintage Stampede
29th
December
Workshop Saturday
5th
General Meeting
7th
Club Management Committee
14th
Dad's Army
15th
Competition Group
21st
VSCC of WA Calendar 2015
Having watched most of all the Bathurst (October) races over the last 40 years I have seen a
lot of different scenario’s unfold.
In my opinion, the 121 laps completed by Ms. Gracie and Ms. del Silvestro along with the
repair of the damaged vehicle during the intervening 38 laps should not go unnoticed. Not
only was the vehicle superficially damaged when hitting the fence, it is reported that
structural damage was also a factor.
Whereas I have seen a lot of superficial damage successfully patched up with tape over the
years, there is less evidence of successful repair (apart from last year where the event was
stopped) where the vehicle is knocked somewhat out of shape. Well done the repairers! Not
only did the vehicle keep on going after the repair seeming faultlessly, but de Silvestro had
the challenge of climbing into a vehicle with an unproven repair job and “going for it”. The
challenge was that they could not afford to be lapped over that time to be mathematically
declared a finisher.
Most of us who have been out on the track will know that complete confidence in the
vehicle is a major factor when striving for best lap times and de Silvestro must have had
some doubts initially, especially when this category of vehicle is new to her. The team
punched out 106 laps in a repaired vehicle in an amazing finish to the event that they were
quoted as “one million to one” chance of happening.
Natsoft race results indicate that their fastest lap was approximately lap 72 with a 2 min 10.4
sec lap which is a long way off the best lap time on the day. It becomes obvious that they
must have made a faultless and consistent run after lap 53/54 when the vehicle was started
up from the repair. Whether they are seen as a finisher or not, I believe it was a gutsy effort
by all.
Well Done! by Wally Phoebe