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Back to December 2011 Motorsports News Archive
| 15-12-2011 at 09:00: Pedders Team Second in Six Hour | |
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With a 21 car field the event it almost didn’t happen as organisers called it off after having only receiving 13 entries by the cut off date. Fortunately for competitors the AMC executives Aaron and Angela McGill salvaged the event once they had shown that the number attending would be greater than the 20 that they had hoped for. The Pedders crew arrived on Friday evening at Eastern Creek and quickly set about unloading the Pedders Racing Truck of its cargo, including the class leading Pedders Racing Proton Satria GTi. With only 3 hours to get organised before the gates were locked, team members Grant Phillips, Andrew Turpie, Daryl Martin, Mike Ibbott and Damian Martin worked feverishly to prepare the pit garage allowing more time for Saturday practice and qualifying. Saturday started off as a wet track and the teams wet track specialist, Andrew Turpie, soon took to the circuit like a duck to water, setting good times and clean laps in his, and in fact, the entire teams first visit to the Sydney race circuit. Next practice went to Daryl Martin who soon warmed to the now drying track, keeping his session tidy and uneventful. The following practice was headed by regular driver Grant Phillips who set the fastest lap time of all three drivers in his one and only practice session. To make the feat more remarkable, Phillips was then sent back to his hotel room to recuperate as he had been suffering from a bout of the flu for the previous few days and was still feeling the effects. Qualifying was left to Martin and Turpie, with a half hour qualifying session each, both men made the most of their opportunities and it was Martin who qualified fastest in class with Suzuki Swift entries and former V8 Ute racers of Alan Jarvis/Adam Brand taking second and another Swift team holding third position in class. Sunday’s race was started by Martin who took a cool and calm approach to his start and his whole session which included some 92 laps. Martin stayed out of trouble and clawed his way to a four lap lead over their nearest rivals in the Jarvis/Brand Suzuki Swift entry. Handing over the reins to Pedders Bendigo store owner Grant Phillips, the team enjoyed a comfortable lead as the weather looked like it might hold out for some time to come, however just a handful of laps in Phillips complained of a sudden vibration coming from the steering wheel and came into the pits. The vibration came from a broken wheel stud and the team scrambled to repair the damaged hub with the assistance of neighbouring team members from the Greg Symes and Glenn Seaton Mitsubishi Evo 9 entry. When the car was finally able to return to the track the team was now seven laps behind the class E car of Jarvis and Brand. Phillips took to the track like a man possessed and managed to take back a couple of laps and then the rains came, first it was a light shower and then the heavens opened up with chaos just around the corner. With a very wet track the carnage was just about to begin, claiming some four cars in a half hour period including the Symes/Seaton entry and one of the Suzuki Swifts. Phillips was forced to struggle with a fogged up windscreen and side windows making it visually challenging for much of his session before yet another safety car was called and the next driver change took place. Andrew Turpie then took on the challenge to claw back five laps to try and take victory for the Pedders Team who were chasing a clean sweep of the series in their first year. Turpie soon started to take back the laps needed and after almost 2 hours of racing he found himself in the right position after the final safety car and just 20 minutes to go before the chequered flag. Turpie took on the challenge with gusto and determination and with just six laps remaining the Proton and leading Suzuki swapped places four times in an action packed and exciting race to the finish, rivalling those of the top end cars. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, with just 2 laps remaining the Proton developed an electrical issue that saw a loss of power that ultimately allowed the Suzuki Swift of Alan Jarvis and Country singer Adam Brand take the win by a close three seconds. Whilst the team was disappointed in not taking the win, they fought hard and did all they could to be competitive and chase victory. To have taken 2nd place by just three seconds after six hours of racing, it is testament to the team’s ability to fight to the end and do all they can to win. The 2nd place ensured that the Pedders team took out first place in class E of the Australian Manufacturers Championship and the Drivers Championship in class with Grant Phillips taking 1st, Daryl Martin taking second and just two points behind, Andrew Turpie secured 3rd place at the Australian Manufacturers Championship awards night. The team was also recognised as the 2011 Australian Manufacturers Championship Best Presented Team. The team is now preparing for some family time over Christmas before their sights are set on the 2012 Australian Manufacturers Championship and potentially a new car and sponsorship agreement. The team would like to take the opportunity to thank their sponsors, supporters and their families for helping them to reach some amazing goals in this their first year of National competition alongside the likes of Glenn Seaton, John Bowe, Jason Bright and Adam Brand just to name a few. It has been an immense privilege to be able to represent some amazing people, amazing businesses and of course the city of Bendigo. Words by Daryl Martin |
The Pedders Racing Team proudly supported by Pedders Suspension, Valvoline, Bosch and Reliance Petroleum competed in the final round of the Australian Manufacturers Championship over the weekend at Eastern Creek in a 6 hour endurance race.^ Back to top ^
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