Fog Calls Early End To Eastern Creek TEKA Race
from Justin sydenham
The build up to the year’s most exciting Endurance event was huge! The anticipation was high and interest continued to build right up to the event start.
pic -
Quick Pixels Photography
The Tracksa team who travelled from Rockhampton were there to set up and run the recently introduced (and proving very popular) track light system. This would ultimately replace flaggies and communicate with the drivers throughout the event. Set up proved simple, just a matter of placing the light stands in their position and turning the computer on. Both the practice track and the full track had been pre programmed into the system – ready to rock and roll!
The queue for new licenses was at least 20 deep and the pit area was full buzzing with excitement. First practice would commence on the 1024 track combining a mixture of Briggs, Honda’s and a host of new Comers. It was a good chance to experience the sleek operation of the Tracksa light system and for drivers to get comfortable with conditions.
Great to see a few new teams and a couple experienced teams join us from outside the club. Bullit Racing #50 deserves congratulations for turning up only days after purchasing their first kart. Welcome also to Don Green Racing, some boys who I expected to do well from the world of HQ Racing and Doors Plus also joining us for the first time. Saturday Night Fever # 21 was a mix of old and new drivers attracted to the scale of this particular event.
pic -
Quick Pixels Photography
A bunch of more experienced racers also attended who didn’t normally compete with TEKA, some in particular would put the regulars on notice with their speed I’m sure!
Evermill #46 a bunch of Superbike racers and The Awesome Foursome #20 experienced two strokers would also be in the mix given a choice.
After some practice qualifying was run on the big track a mix of usual suspects and a couple of surprises would fill the top spots! Buildine #9 in the Phoenix dominated Briggs and Stratton with a 0.4sec lead for pole followed by the return of Kinetic #51 man handling their Benson into 2nd place.
In the Honda class Blatt Racing #49 too quick taking the top spot! Showing some class in their return Bell Pipes #23 and Focus (by Pete Brien) #5 also returning to outshine the rest in 2nd and 3rd. WAR #35, Horsepower #777 and Norwest #47 not too far away and ahead of the rest!
In B grade Benders #22 quick enough to take top spot and well within the top half of the field. Ice Tech #16 focused on their Championship would be pleased with a good start on the grid taking 2nd, and our two stroke converts Awesome Foursome a great job in a kart that’s not theirs driving to 3rd.
11pm - The start of the race was quite clean and exciting seeing 35 karts take off into the darkness (aside from the track lighting of coarse) forming one long train! Over the next couple of hours the top teams would really only be separated by their strategies with all remaining close on times.
Unfortunately around 2am the fog became really heavy and drivers were regularly wiping the moisture off their visor. It was a skill to be able pick your breaking markers and turn in points, as visibility was becoming an issue.
pic -
Quick Pixels Photography
In the interest of everyone’s safety Steve Ellis the clark of the course stopped the race, there was no choice! GUTTED; the feeling that swept the pit area!
After waiting the hour to be fair and see if it would clear we called the race for good! And points would be awarded on positions at the stoppage, there were winners and losers; either way the event was spectacular! For those that feel like they didn’t get enough or were owed something by the gods…..stay tuned TEKA has something up its sleeve.
Thanks to all the officials, committee, and in particular John, Janelle and Elle from Tracksa for their efforts on a track lighting system that appears to be a real winner.
