2023 Formula Classic – Round 8
Rob Janney Memorial – Wanneroo Raceway 16th September
Fourteen cars entered the 8th round of the 2023 Formula Classic season.
Arthur Abrahams did not show up for qualifying suffering with a medical issue. Dan Gate put his Ralt RT4 on pole position with Allan Jones, Simon Alderson and others all pressing on hard trying to get close to his pace.
Race one started and ended badly, very badly, for three drivers. Dan broke a drive shaft off the line causing the field behind him to dive left and right to avoid the near stationary car at the front of the grid. John Hurney took to the grass on the infield to avoid the stricken Ralt as did Ricky Virago. Ricky’s Lola broke traction on the damp grass as he tried to return the car to the bitumen causing it to spin violently across the track and into the pit lane wall. Glenn Swarbrick, who’d made his usual brilliant start was a helpless passenger as his Macon crashed straight into the spinning Lola. Craig Thompson, who was on Glenn’s heels at that moment had nowhere else to go other than into the back of the Macon. The race was immediately red flagged whilst the carnage was tidied up. Fortunately no one was injured in the incident but the three cars involved in the incident were all badly damaged.
The race was restarted under the pace car, John Hurney had an uncharacteristic spin, during the course of the race, in his Van Diemen into the sand at the end of the start / finish straight bringing out the yellow flag in that sector. Allan Jones picking up the race win from Lance Carwardine in second spot and Andrew Gifford third.
The grid for races 2 and 3 were somewhat depleted however Dan was back with a new driveshaft fitted and he proceeded to win both the two remaining races. Allan, Simon and Lance, were all chasing him down final podium positions.
Outright results for the meeting were;
1st Allan Jones 61 pts
2nd Simon Alderson 57 pts
3rd Lance Carwardine 52 pts
Handicap results for this round;
1st Daniel Gate 24 pts
2nd David Drearden & Lance Carwardine 22 pts
The next round is at Collie Motorplex over the weekend of Saturday 30th September / Sunday 1st October.