2025 Formula Classic – Round 7
Wanneroo Park – 13th September
The seventh round of the 2025 Formula Classic championship took place at Wanneroo Park on Saturday 13th September. The Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast for the week leading up to the event was grim – 15mm of rain with a 95% probability! It was therefore very surprising to see near perfect conditions on arrival at the track in the morning. A field of twelve cars were entered for the event, including a couple of returning drivers and one new entrant.
Work commitments in the Eastern States prevented Craig Thompson from running and Lance Carwardine pulled out before the event commenced with engine maladies.
There had been a little rain over night and the track was still a little damp and slippery for qualifying. Bill Norman qualifies on pole in his Ralt RT4 followed by Allan Jones in his Ralt RT5. The third qualifier was guest driver Marc Redman in a Duratec powered Stealth 03. Marty Bullock was next up in another RT4 followed by Ricky Virago in his Ralt RT5. Almost a Ralt whitewash at the front of the field.
Race 1
With cars lining up in the assembly area for Race 1 it was apparent the second placed car was missing. Allan Jones, who’d pulled off towards the end of the qualifying period had a broken bellhousing that put him out for the rest of the meeting.
Marty who’d lost a section of his front wing during qualifying pulled out of Race 1 with the repaired wing not being installed correctly.
Bill ran away from the lights never to be challenged followed Mark, Ricky and Colin Youd in his Tiga Sports 2000.
Race 2
With Marty’s wing now correctly installed he started Race 2 from rear of the grid but quickly moved through the field to be with the leading pack eventually finishing in second spot behind Bill. Marc continued to run steadily to finish third followed by Ricky, Colin and Brian Searles in his Ralt RT1.
Bruce Allan attends to Brian’s Ralt RT1 prior to the start of Race 2.
A couple of keen amateur meteorologists assessing the conditions before Race 3.
Phil wisely changing to wet weather tyres before Race 3.
Race 3
As Race 3 approached the heavens opened soaking the track. A couple of drivers elected not to run in the third event as they didn’t have appropriate tyres. Bill again led from start to finish, with Ricky and Marc in pursuit in the very wet conditions. Dave Dearden who’d been running very consistently in the mid pack finished fourth, followed by Brian Searles, Glenn Swarbrick and Phil Grove.
At the conclusion of the event Phil got his final licence signature required to ‘get off his P plate’.
Outright results for the meeting were;
1st Bill Norman 75 pts
2nd Marc Redman 56 pts
3rd Ricky Virago 55 pts
Handicap Results:
1st Ricky Virago 26 pts
2nd Brian Searles & Colin Youd 19 pts
Next Round
The next round, the Coalfields 500, will be held at Collie Motorplex over the weekend of 27th / 28th September. Entries are currently open via the MSA portal.