GUMLEY TOO GOOD AT RINGWOOD!
Date: 1/8/10 | Host Club: Newcastle MG Car Club | Sponsor: Daydawn Electrical
Heavy rain in the lead up to the weekend had the locals worried but Clerk of Course John Collins reached up his sleeve and pulled out two perfect sunny days for Round 7 at Ringwood, just north of Newcastle on August 1. A good field and a strong contingent of open wheelers at the front could only mean a great event for competitors and spectators.
Defending champion Tim Edmondson has been ”Forced” (pardon the pun) to enter the spare car after damaging the Gould earlier in the year. The opposition hasn’t had it all their own way either with Peter Gumley cracking the crankcase in the SCV at Grafton and Doug Barry forced to wave his magic wand after an off before at Mt Cotton.
Gumley set the early pace in the Wortmeyer SCV until a shattered supercharger drive stopped him on the start line and threatened to put him out of the game. Peter and crew quickly replaced the damaged pulley and calmly soldiered on (with reduced boost) to take FTD of 28.30s – just three tenths off the outright record.
Edmondson (Force PC) gave chase, with local driver Peter Robinson (PRS Ford) breathing down his neck. The pair traded places all day, Edmondson pushed to setting a new class record in order to nudge Robinson back to third outright. Doug Barry manhandled the Lola F3000 around the tight layout to grab the next spot with Steve Moxon (Axtell Suzuki) and Ron Hay (RH Honda) both managing the impossible – dead heating into fifth outright!
Elizabeth Robinson (co-driving dad’s PRS Ford) gave a talented display to be next quickest ahead of Francesco Mangano (Jedi Mk4) and Searle Courtright (co-driving the Axtell Suzuki). There was a welcome return for Malcolm Oastler (Ferrabusa) after a serious “off” earlier in the year and Stuart Inwood (Nissan GTR) managed to break his class record and continues to keep an iron grip on the Top Tin Top award.
A new record also to Billy Jones (RX7), Joanne Bell has moved ahead in the Ladies Class and Andrew Frost was not only the quickest registered Junior but claimed the up to 1300cc Sports Sedan trophy as well.
Alan Barlow – NSW Hillclimb Website Editor
EDITORS NOTES:
- A disappointing footnote to the weekend. The MG Newcastle crew did a great job, and the new timing setup was something to behold and worked a treat. Unfortunately unauthorised visitors Sunday evening removed the expensive equipment and the club must be quite devastated. If anyone know or hears of anything contact the club, police are investigating.
- I know he’s a local but Peter Robinson was smooth as silk with nothing wasted in gaining third outright. Can’t be a bad teacher either as young Elizabeth was also very smooth in seventh outright.
- Peter Gumley also appeared to have it in a string in the later runs. Very economical with just a hint of power oversteer but no time wasted on sideways motoring. Peter also thanked the repair crew after replacing the blower drive pulley, even said he was looking forward to coming back next time as long as Tim Edmondson “doesn’t bring that mongrel Gould”
- Bad Luck to Team Barnes who had an engine quit spectacularly. Just in time for Neil Farr to record the event with his camera. We simply had to include that shot as well.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Courtesy ebarlowphotos.com
PHOTO GALLERY:
Courtesy Neil Farr
