WPS Bathurst 12 Hour Race Updates...

 

 

The Kangan Batman TAFE Hyundai Team will have their first race at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, Australia on February 10, 2008.  The team will arrive at the circuit on Wednesday  with on track action starting on Friday with 3 practise sessions and a Saturday qualifying session.  The race starts on Sunday 10th February at 06.00 AEST and finishes at 18.30 AEST. 

 

Updates from the pit garage and pictures will be posted on this page during qualifying and the race to keep you informed of the team's progress.

 

Car:	Hyundai Sonata 2.4
Race Number:	40
Team Manager:	Greg Moulden
Drivers:	Ross Buckingham
	Greg Sticker
	Jamie Augustine
	Brett Youlden

 

DAY 1 - Friday 8th February 2008 - 6:00PM

With an early start to the day we landed at the track at 7:00AM. The day started off with a driver's briefing while the crew prepared the car for the first practice session. Practice 1 started at 8:50AM with Greg Sticker piloting the car. Half way into that session a driver change was performed and Jamie Augustine took control. Practice 2 started at 2:00PM with Ross Buckingham kicking off. Crew working on the brakes meant that the session was delayed about 3 minutes, which is about the equivalent of lap. About half way though Brett Youlden gave it a steer. The sessions highlighted a brake compaound problem which the crew was able to rectify by using a different brake pad. Overall the car has been performing well and the team will work on setup during tomorrows session.

 

_____________________

 

DAY 2 - Friday 9th February 2008 - 4:30PM

 

We started the day early again this time arriving at the track at 6:00AM. The day’s events started early with a practice beginning at 7:25AM. After sorting out the previous day’s brake issues, Ross Buckingham bedded a new set of pads to be used as the spares for race day. The session highlighted enhancements to be made to the suspension, which were made for the following qualifying session. The session also saw a mandatory full refuel take place. The practice session saw all drivers reach the required lap times that are required to qualify. The next event was qualifying. The weather started to turn, with a light amount of rain covering the track. The drivers were all happy after establishing a good car setup. The car will be checked out overnight and readied for the 6:30 start tomorrow.

____________________

 

 ^{DAY3 - Friday 9 th February 2008 1.30 PM.}

^{We started the day early again this time arriving at the track at 5:30AM. All ready for the big day, the team were well prepared to from the previous days practice. The crew prepared the car and it was ready for the race at 6:00AM. Lining up on the grid, the whole team felt confident and excited at start time. The 6:30AM race start went by without incident, and the car put down a good 90 odd laps before midday. Fuel consumption figures worked out the previous day have prooved useful in determining the race strategy. A minor brush against another car in the first half of day left the front right slightly bent out of shape causing tyre change difficulties on the first tyre change stop. In all, the car is performing as expected showing it is well suited to the class. Brett started the race for a 1 1/2 hour stint followed by Greg. Ross has just handed the car over to Jamie after a 2 3/4 hour stint covering 53 laps. The car is lying in 24th place and second in class. Further updates to follow.}

 

^{4 55 PM}

 

^{2 Hours To Go.}

 

^{Brett is out in the car now following Jamie's 2 3/4  Hour stint.  The Safety car is out at the moment and the car is in 20th position and first in class.}

^{The car has just been in for re-fuelling.}

 

^{7.30 PM}

 

^Finish

 

^{After a tense final 2 hours the car has finished the race in 19th position overall and first in class!!! More pictures and a full report will follow shortly.}