18th September 2006
SCSA Stock Cars
Ovalfest
Looking back now The Ovalfest race weekend seems to of been a great success, some doubted that it could work but it turned out to be the spectacle that it promised to be.
From the off on Friday the inner paddock was absolutely brimming with all manner of short oval cars, once their Friday practice was over they all moved out to the outer paddock to enable the entry of the Pickups and V8 Trophy cars, 21 of the former and the largest grid this year of 13 V8 Trophy cars.
The weekend was to see a race on Saturday and one on Sunday, practice was held on Friday morning along with Qualifying that saw places 2-10 being covered by less than a second.
The new drivers had to start both races at the rear meaning Paul Poulter, although second quickest, would be charging through on both days.
Race one started off with colin white holding onto Ollie Playle for 3 laps until ollie started punching in quick lap times and pull out a lead, Paul Poulter was marching through and was 3rd by lap 5, now pushing Colin hard with John Steward, Tony hurdle, Shane Brereton, Mike luck and Phil weaver in the very even chasing pack, these positions were held until a caution period on lap 13.
The restart saw Poulter take second from Colin, John Steward 4th with the no98 and 48 battling for 5th, lapping the ailing Mike Luck, Shane made the move on Tony and had 5th by lap 20, lap 21 then turned yellow again with Colin and Poulter coming together and leaving colin collecting the wall exiting turn1, the restart was to be the first Green white chequer for the cars, all positions were held apart from Phil mugging Tony at the start and getting 4th from him, however due to a yellow infringement Shane was knocked back two places, thus leaving it a Playle, Poulter, Weaver, Hurdle and Brereton top 5.Sunday and another glorious day, the crowds were building and a 12.30pm race beckoned. New drivers for the weekend had to move to the rear, this left Ollie on pole, Phil second and Tony Third, the green flag dropped and it was Tony’s turn to hold onto Ollie for a few laps, even the spinning Brereton on turn 3 couldn’t stop their progress, Shane had managed to miss the wall bring it around after 3 full spins and collect it up to carry on, by now Ollie and tony had pulled out a healthy lead but the very fast Poulter was moving up again, by lap 5 Ollie was 3 seconds behind with weaver, skid and Poulter bringing up the 5, by lap 9 Poulter was up to 3rd and looking to close the 11 second gap to Hurdle.
Lap 23 and Ollie suddenly started to slow, the gap closed by half to 6 seconds over the next 4 laps with Ollie reporting oil on the car, the track seemed ok so then he pressed on again, Poulter was now only 3 seconds behind Tony and starting to smell 2nd spot, Tony had other ideas and started to push more sensing his first win then on lap 27 Poulter lost it in turn 4 leaving the cars with the second green white chequer of the weekend.
If Ollie had a problem it didn’t show on the restart as he held on to 1st with Hurdle in second, John Steward 3rd, and Shane and Skid finishing off the top 5.
E&OE
