2016 Off Season Wrap
With the opening round of the 2016 QTCC Championship only weeks away, it was time to find out from the drivers themselves, what they have been up to in the off season.
A number of competitors made the trek to Bathurst to compete in the Combined Sedans races over the Bathurst 12 hour weekend.
Unfortunately, a few of our guys found out the hard way that National events have slightly different set of technical rules to State based events. A number of desperate phone calls and organisation saw the required roll cage modifications made at the local Tafe and the QTCC cars joining the grid for races 2 and 3.
Well done to Karl Begg, starting rear of field in race two and making his way up to 13th by end of race 3.
Rod Tyson "experienced 10 years of motorsport in one weekend" moved up to 24th before leaving an orange signature on the dipper wall.
Brett Boulton ran faultlessly, missing race 1 and moving from 46th to 22nd over the weekend.
Warwick Douglas was also trouble free. Qualifying 42nd, 31st at the end of race 1, 28th at the end of race 2 but did not finish race 3.
Steve Hay had a great race 1, finishing 18th before receiving unwanted tv time when the Marlboro liveried Commodore lit up and started smoking on the live internet feed.
Steve Burridge had a great first race finishing 14th but didnt complete a lap in race 2 and only one in race 3 due to overheating issues from a cracked head.
Michael Woodcroft in the Torana took the steady approach, qualifying 44th, moving to 35th at the end of race 1, 25th after race 2 and 23rd at the completion of the weekend.
Back in Queensland, there has been plenty going on in preparation for round 1 in March.
New liveries, sponsors and engines a plenty.
Over at Retro Motorsport, Murray Kent and the gang are keeping their cards close to their chests but Gary Anger has been sporting a great new livery in the Commodore thanks to new sponsorship from Dog Tyred Kallangur, Prolube Oils, Brisbane to Beach 4WD Hire, All in One Caravans, Fifotos, Race Distillery, Brad Lemming Panel and Paint, Hole Signs Petrie.
Stuart Walker has picked up a couple of new minor sponsors Maxbutts Body Works & Accurate Caravans.
New engines are being built for a number of competitors including Steve Hay after his Bathurst fire, Dan Cuda in the Chickadee Commodore returning to the series later in the year and Hamish Goetz in the silver Monaro.
John Phoenix has been working on reliability issues and a finding a few extra HP from the Blue Pig to combat the bigger V8 engined cars in B Grade after engine issues late last year.
Leon Kemp has placed the maroon BMW on a diet of sorts and it looks spectacular.
The paint gun has been out at Motorsport Zone with new retro styled liveries for Karl and Chris Begg's BMW's.
Graham Streat has a new sponsor in Strongback Tilt Trays, and is repaired and hopefully ready to go for Lakeside after crashing out in round 4 last year.
Last year's champion, Brett Kennedy is working on a new VT Commodore which is expected to be ready for round 1. All of his main rivals at the pointy end hoping it's not any faster than last year's black #11.
Ian Solomon has new brakes and a revamped fuel system for the #28 BMW. Andrew Knight has given the Datsun 1600 a wash and is ready to go.
Last year's B Grade winner, Gary Hawgood has leased his car out for the season.
A little bit of action on the track, and plenty off it. With nearly 40 cars entered across both A and B Grade, we are looking forward to an exciting opening round at Lakeside Park on the weekend of March 19th and 20th.
by Martin Phoenix
