2023 Formula Classic – Round 9
Coalfields 500 – Collie Motorplex 30th September / 1st October
Ten cars entered the 9th round of the 2023 Formula Classic season. The Coalfields 500 was a two day event with four races for Formula Classic.
It was great to see Peter Marsh for the first time driving in Formula Classic in his Aztec AR9 F3 that he had recently acquired from Allan Ould.
It was also good to see Ray Stubber for the first time this year in his beautifully restored 1981 Van Diemen Formula Ford.
Qualifying saw the usual line up with Bill Norman on pole and Simon Alderson close behind, then followed by Lance Carwardine and Peter Marsh. Brian Searles had a problem in qualifying, breaking the alternator bracket on lap two, however some speedy repairs were undertaken with the help of Dave Dearden and the car was back in time for race 2.
The two races on Saturday were both 12 lap events, Bruce Mitchell’s Reynard FF2000 overheated towards the end of race one forcing him to retire the car before the race finished. Unfortunately he was not to return to the track that weekend following a burnt hand whilst investigating the overheating issue.
Sunday’s two events were the usual 8 laps, both in the morning, and thereby allowing us to leave the track at the lunch break and head home in daylight.
Bill dominated the weekend taking all 4 wins, similar Simon was a consistent 2nd with Lance and Peter scrapping for the final podium spot. Unfortunately Peter missed a gear change during the last race and ‘buzzed’ his engine, costly in he missed out on a possible podium spot but also possibly a large engine bill too.
At the back of the pack Craig, Glenn, Dave and Brian were having equal fun scrapping over the minor points.
Outright results for the meeting were;
1st Bill Norman 100 pts
2nd Simon Alderson 80 pts
3rd Lance Carwardine 71 pts
Handicap results for this round;
1st Craig Thompson 28 pts
2nd Bill Norman 26 pts
3rd Peter Marsh 25 pts
The final round of the 2023 Formula Classic season is at Wanneroo Park on Sunday 29th October.