2022 Formula Classic – Round 8
Coalfields 500 – 1st / 2nd October
The penultimate round of the 2022 Formula Classic season was held at Collie Motorplex over the weekend of 1st / 2nd October.
The initial entry numbers looked very encouraging with 13 entrants however 3 Ralts all fell by the wayside before qualifying was completed. Neil Woodward was a further retiree after race 1 with the Bifa Ford leaking oil profusely.
Dan Gate, usually the dominant driver at Collie, had a couple of issues with his Ralt RT4 on Saturday with a control arm failure in race one and overheating issues in the second race. However normal service was resumed for the Sunday with wins in both races.
Simon Alderson, another usual top performer had issues with his Van Diemen on the Saturday losing a front brake in race one. A replacement calliper was sourced overnight and Simon was back on Sunday with a third and second place finish in races 3 and 4.
Lance Carwardine suffered an unusual problem in race 1 with a piece of plastic debris getting in behind his clutch pedal and restricting its operation. The problem was easily rectified and Lance continued to a steady third place overall for the weekend.
The weekend was won by a guest driver, Tom Hamlett, in a Stealth S3D Duratech powered Formula Ford.
Outright results for the meeting were;
1st Tom Hamlett 88 pts
2nd Dan Gate 70 pts
3rd Lance Carwardine 69 pts
Handicap results for this round;
1st Ricky Virago 40 pts
2nd Lance Carwardine 29 pts
3rd Craig Thompson 23 pts