Last Shot In The Dark @ Oran Park - IPRA U2L

[TODA AU]

I'd just like to say, congratulation to 82911 (Greg)
Though many on this forum only have a passing interest in IPRA racing,
Some members are actively involved & doing well waving the Honda flag.
(Many of our regular customers would have seen this car at the workshop)
For those who don’t know, yesterday Greg took out the win at the "Last Shot In The Dark @ Oran Park" IPRA round.
Competing in the U2L class, he qualified 2nd on the grid & opened the day by placing 2nd in race one,
This was followed up with a 1st place in the 2nd race,
1st place in the 3rd race & finally 1st place in the 4th & trophy race.

(Photo - TRENT Wallis Photography http://www.trentwallis.com)
Driving his No.29 "MY JEWELLER" EK9 Civic Type R, he was up against some stiff competition from Bob Jowett in his K20A powered EK4.
(Background - Bob’s car is the ex-Lewis Chan EK K20A; still supported by Pro Concept)
The closeness of the racing can be gauged by the times on Natsoft & the in car footage from Geoff Fear’s 3rd place getting N14 Pulsar SR20VE. (See below links)
Though Bob was slightly quicker both qualifying & average race lap times, Greg still managed to hold him out.
Hat’s off to Greg… A truly top effort & a testament to a great driver IMO.
With 3 from 4, it’s a shame it wasn’t a points round.
Official Natsoft timing results can be seen here:
http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/re...1/08/2009.ORAN

Race 2 video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u26m56LJFa4
Race 4 video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCvc9PwrbNI

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Greg’s comments below on the race were copied from the IPRA forums
http://www.ipraforum.com.au/viewtopi...4754&start=120

Re: Oran Park Day/Night 1/08/09

by 82911 » Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:01 pm
That was by far the toughest race ever!
Huge thanks to everyone involved with putting on this event as I don't think anything can compare to racing at night...
What a blast!
A race report.....*Warning* might contain too much detail, as I'm still a little excited!!!!

My day started out VERY ordinary to say the least, with 2 massive spins in qualifying. The handling problems from Eastern creek were still with me and were in fact worse! I just could not get any rear grip. I took a punt on a spring rate change and the car was better for race 1 but still very twitchy (read.....SCARY ) .Bob Jowett seemed to be settling in to his new Civic and showing very good speed, so I really thought that i would be racing for 3rd with Geoff Fear in the Pulsar.
Race 2 and I was getting more confident with the ill handling civic and thanks to a good start was able to lead for a few laps before Bob got a better run onto the straight and passed for the lead. The next 2 laps were fantastic, with Bob going like buggery, and me trying to keep up. A missed gear by Bob out of T1 saw me give him the slightest Liberace! But that was enough for Geoff Fear to get a sniff and what ensued really cant be explained adequately here.. (SEE VIDEO FROM GEOFF FEARS PULSAR IN VIDEO SECTION) Unfortunately (for Bob) he was called for a jump start, so served his drive thru and relieved the pressure from Geoff and myself.
Race 3, and a good start, by lap 4 Bob had lined me up and got down the inside at T1, But I dug in and held the outside line, so we went door handle to door handle through T1, 2 & 3 (without a touch)before just getting around him before suttons! I managed to hold onto the lead under Massive pressure from Bob.
Race 4, It was on........... From the lights out Bob was all over me like a fat kid on a lolly! he was left , he was right, he was everywhere you never expected him to be, man can that guy steer! I drove the absolute dinger out of the little civic to stay infront. I knew an attack would come,but buggered if I knew where? Then it came, around the outside down the front straight and across the front of me! I braked HARDER to hold a tight line and we went side by side the through T1 AGAIN! This time though, Bob was on the outside and the line was dirty from previous incidents, so he wasn't able to make it stick. From that point on the pressure from Bob was turned to maximum and I was bloody relieved when the chequers finally came out.....
I would like to publically congratulate Bob for his efforts as well as the sporting attitude and driving standards that he showed towards me.
The other thank you's...
Geoff Andrews... for making sure I'm ready and the car is ready.
Gridfillers....for support and encouragement always.
My Wife and Kids.... for braving the cold so Dad can go racing.
TODA performance Australia... for an AWESOME POWERPLANT.

Looking forward to wakefield Park...

Cheers Greg... #29 U2L Honda Civic.
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(Photo - TRENT Wallis Photography http://www.trentwallis.com)
Pictures courtesy of Trent Wallis - http://www.trentwallis.com/
http://www.trentwallis.com/gallery/v...rk-OP01&page=1