28^th April to 1^st May 2022

Racing Wanneroo Raceway Perth, Western Australia

Most people might not know, a 2-day motorsport event is actually a 4 day deal for race teams, with set-up commencing on the Thursday morning.

Yes, we arrive to the circuit on a Thursday for setup (bunking in), unloading the truck and setting up our garage ready for the weekends action. Depending on the circuit there is also a track walk slot of around 2 hours for V8 Supercar support categories, normally on the Thursday or Friday.

Our Perth visit was a little different, after setting up at the track, we made the trek to the far side of Perth to visit our partner “Aletek’s” Perth office.   Meeting the Aletek team on arrival, we unloaded the Gates® V8 Superute and cleaned the vehicle after it’s journey across the country.   Once clean, we drove the vehicle into their main warehouse area and setup for display.

The Aletek Perth Team were a great bunch, Brett, Michael & Russell looked after us with some refreshing drinks and a BBQ.   Their clients started rolling in just after 4pm and were quick draw to the race vehicle, asking lots of questions and taking photos.  

Come Friday we headed to the track and started all the normal checks ready for our practice session.   Team Manager “Brendan” loves ensuring the Gates® V8 Superute is ready for action and goes through a routine of a number of checks.

I’ve not driven at this circuit before but loved the sweeping bends and the elevation changes the track provides.  With a 20min practice session you need to be on the ball and start working out your braking points quickly, ensuring you at the right speed to turn following the lives through the corner you feel are best for your equipment.

For qualifying we made some minor changes and sorted our tyres for the session.  Although there is a couple of hours in between sessions, it comes around quickly.  I pushed hard early, with my first full lap being my quickest.   Resulting in a P12 starting position.

Saturday morning Race 1 was a normal start, although in turn 1 I held back a little which cost me a couple of spots in the opening lap.  On the next lap I managed to move back up one spot, only to have spin a few laps later.   Composing myself as I re-joined and kept my head down and pushing on, crossing the line in P13.

Race 2 was a slightly better start for me, gaining a position on the opening lap.  On lap 3 I gained a couple more positions moving up to 10^th, but 2 laps later I did it again, having a spin on my own which dropped me back 3 spots before I was back on and charging.  Fighting on, I kept into it while my team manger reminded me to keep my head down a focus forward.  End-result was good considering a spin coming back to finish 11^th.

Sunday Race 3, and after a morning briefing with team manager “Brendan”, we had a new plan for today’s races and tried a minor setup change.  The start I was more focused on pushing hard through turn 1, which paid off.  Up to 9^th place on the opening lap, putting a couple of cars that had been quicker than me all weekend behind.  On the next lap, I left a gap which resulted in them both getting back past me.  I pushed on keeping with them but dropped another spot a couple of laps later.  While pushing to get back, omg I have done it again, having a spin in exit of turn 1.   The car had stalled and it took a moment to get it going again, not able to see back around the corner I radio called to ensure I was clear and hit the gas as the call came, “CLEAR, GO GO”.  Not one for giving up I pushed on, which paid off, coming home in 10^th place.

Not something we want to see during any race meeting, a team member injury resulting in medical team visiting our garage.

Our Team Manager “Brendan Avard”, while working hard on the Gates®️ V8 Superute, suffered a major cut to his right knee.  While checking the vehicle over, he went to get out from under the car and hit his knee on the inside of the rear bumper, resulting in a large cut.

Brendan held the cut closed while having team members offering him chairs, drinks and comfort while Gavin raced to get medical team.  The medics were there very quickly and did a great job and decided to take Brendan back to the at track medical centre.

Being a true passionate racer, Brendan hobbled back from the medical centre to take up his place as Team Manager for the last race and was keen to see me take his earlier advice into the last race.

As soon as the race was over, he then allowed us to take him off to a local medical facility for treatment. Receiving 4 internal and 7 external stitches, before being chauffeur driven back to our Perth accommodation for a relaxing drink and BBQ.

Love your passion Brendan, and on behalf of all the JKD Racing Team and Partners, we wish you a speedy recovery.

Race 4, frustration was kicking in a bit, 3 races and I had spun in all of them, something I have never done.   I had chat with Brendan about strategy for this last race, his key words were “Don’t Spin”….   Did I listen, not a hope, of course I did do it again with complete disbelief this time, as the spot was between turns 3 & 4, and area I felt strong in as the weekend had progressed.   Brendan & spoke in detail about the start and turn 1, what worked in race 3 and what I could try for the last race.   The lights went out and I was on fire, getting through to P7 on the opening lap, holding my position well I had series leader come up from behind into turn 1, out braking me I turned in behind him and pushed to maintain a gap and stick with him.  On the next lap around I lost one more spot in the exact same corner, chasing to keep with Formosa, I had my spin between 3 & 4, shaking my head in frustration, I called on radio and said “yep, done it again, sorry team”.   This dropped me back to 12^th, as I kept into it, but on lap 11 as I pushed in the clutch for a gear change, there was an almighty bang, and I had no drive, could not select a gear and could smell the clutch.   All I could do was roll down the hill with the momentum I had and role in to pit lane to end our weekend.

It was a weekend of highs and lows, but we learned more about the car and I got a new nickname from the team. “whirlpool”

Bring on round 3, our home track Winton Raceway.