Mar 2022
Event: NSW 6HR
Location: SMP GP Circuit
Notes: This was the first event for me in a while and I was pumped, having missed a Supersprint event in January due to officiating duties.
The 6HR returned this year to it’s previous two day affair with Practice on Saturday and the main event taking place on Sunday. Much preferred. This year too I was promoted/accepted into the “Southern Sporting Stars” team. With the “Southern Motorsport” team filling my position with some new faces.
Saturday With the car prepped we headed out for 3x 10 lap sessions. Admittedly I was nervous. I hadn’t run the car in a while and I still had not completed the master cylinder replacement. So again I would be prepping the pedal before requirement – not ideal. Though after a few sessions I got into a rhythm and the confidence returned.
The car was running well, conditions were dry and there didn’t appear to be much traffic. I elected 1:58.50 this year. A second and a half slower than last. Sydney had been experiencing weeks of rain and I wanted to be sure if conditions got a little damp I would still be able to put some points together.
Four cars in the team this weekend. Me in the Subi, Greg (Nissan), Mechelle (Gen3 WRX), Alex (Mercedes). Four cars in a team is a risk. Should one car have an issue, then 3 have to pick up the slack. This was the case for my team back in 2019, when I was ill on race day and everyone had fill the gap. Then we had five in the team, so not such an ask.
Sunday The main goal was to beat Southern Motorsport – they had six drivers (and cars) but by the time the green flag fell they were down to five, after Mat had an oil pressure alarm in the Gemini and had to withdraw.
Our team assistants only showed up as the event started, causing bit of confusion and a little rushing around in the garage.
The day started with Greg kicking off for us. After his first run all seemed to be going ok, then Mechelle had contaminated fuel forcing a shuffle in the running order. But we were ready, and absorbed the change without issue.
Mid morning would see Brad with multiple issues, and forced to withdraw, leaving Southern Motorsport with four to complete the day.
When the first set of results were release mid morning we were trailing the Southern Motorsport team by a few points. Time to step it up. Track conditions were ideal with the weather remaining dry.
Head down and my third and fourth session were pretty good bagging some good points. The chase was on.
When the checkered flag waved, we had cleared Southern Motorsport and managed 6th outright with Southern Motorsport finishing 9th. I managed to accumulate most points for the team, so I was well happy with that and very pleased with the car. It might be time to think about a gearbox upgrade as it’s getting a bit clunky in third and fourth. But right now I’ve got a smile on my dial. While we didn’t manage a podium, but got the club bragging rights. Maybe next time. The Mountain Men from Bathurst took the win this year. Which made a nice change, as the previous two years had seen NSWRRC take the win.
Here’s to a better 2022 for events.