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Back to January 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 05-01-2012 at 08:00: A Day with the Crew | |
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The AMC consisted of seven rounds across the east coast of Australia. Events include Wakefield Park, Mallala, Winton Raceway, Morgan Park, Eastern Creek, Sandown and the World famous Phillip Island. Events range from short one hour races to six hour enduros and offers drivers of all skill levels the opportunity to gain more experience while competing for a championship. Arriving at the track early Saturday morning the team had already unloaded their Proton Satria GTi from the trailer that was towed to Queensland, from the teams base at Bendigo Victoria, behind the ever trusty Pedders Kia Carnival. Their pit area was well set out with sponsor banners all around and the crew all in uniform. Preparation is the key to success in anything and in motor sport it is what gets a team over the line. From the time they rolled the car off the trailer the team were checking tyre pressures, topping up fuel and cleaning the screens while I sat there and watched the guys at work. Qualifying for some teams was full of drama and misfortune but Phillips drove consistent and put the car in pole for class and 16th on the grid with a time of 1.38.15. Paul Nelson driving a Toyota Yaris was Phillips only class competitor who set his car behind the Proton with a time of 1.41.05. The first of the one hour races began with much excitement as all 17 cars roared to turn one. The Evo of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart led the way from pole and held off all competition to take the outright victory. Phillips had a comfortable race and managed a consistent pace for the hour. Pit lane was a buzz of excitement with teams from up and down the lane working on keeping drivers updated and trying to stay one step ahead of the opposition. For a number of classes compulsory pit stops were needed while for Phillips and the Pedders Racing team their concern was to keep consistent laps and maintain a good lead over the Yaris. Finishing race one first in class was always the plan for the team and to take 12th outright was a bonus the team did not expect. Sitting in the garage while the team took out class victory was a great feeling. The team were in a buzz and excited about the win yet already in preparation for Sunday’s race. As we packed up the gear and the team did their final checks and refuelled the car, the atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful. As I said goodbye to the Pedders Racing team I could not have found a better team to be with for a days worth of action. For the record the Pedders Racing team started strong on Sunday and finished an impressive 10th outright ahead of their class challenger to take the maximum number of points for the weekend. With the teams consistency throughout 2011 they were able to wrap up the 2011 Class E Australian Manufacturers Championship as winning team and endurance Championship winning team. Along with the teams drivers, Grant Phillips, Daryl Martin and Andrew Turpie, took first second and third respectively in the class E drivers’ championship. The team was also recognised as the 2011 Australian Manufacturers Championship Best Presented Team. Related Articles |
Spending time in pit lane with a race team is a privilege that most don’t get to experience. The weekend of the Australian Manufactures Championship (AMC) event at Queensland’s Morgan Park raceway in August saw me filling a seat in the pit garage with Grant Phillips and the Pedders Racing team.
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