Round 1 of the NSW State Title was held at Eastern Creek International on March 21-22. The HRT home base became party central once again with the grand Hyper poo bah Johnnie Crooke rocking into town on the Thursday evening with Deano and also joining us was our QLD based Hypermax Racer competitor Dave McAdam. As per usual we were up half the night having a ball telling jokes and god knows whatever else… Giova Racings John Pellicano rocked up to share the love in this Hyped up atmosphere..

While I had to work on the Friday, the rest of the Hyper crew went to the creek to attend the practice day, pumping out some respectable lap times in the process.

Saturday, day 1 and a wait till 11.30 for the qualifying session. Dean Crooke would normally blast to the top of the timesheets, not this time, Alan Dodge was ssssmokken, a 1.50.4 to set the pole by just over a second to 2^nd place Dalton Rowell with a 151.5, closely followed by Dean Crooke with a 151.6. My Hyper rebadged legs 11 could only manage 6^th quick with a 1.54.5. Queenslander Dave did an 8^th quick 1.56.5. I had a huge lose at 130 klm p/hr around turn 4. Looked pretty good from all reports. I’ll take it as that was my only highlight for the session.

Race 1.

With rain coming down the course was declared wet. A flurry of tyre changes going on then presto, just before we go out, the tracks considered open. 6 of the 8 maxes raced back for slicks, which turned out to be the right choice by race end. I personally was going to sit the race out…..buggered if I was getting the white suit dirty. Thank you to Dalton for offering to lend me his rain suit, just couldn’t get it above the waist. Then Dodgey was the saviour by lending me his old black suit. Out front Dalton and Dean had a titanic battle with Dalton crossing the line for 1^st, Dean 2^nd and Todd Gardner crossed in 3^rd. Koooeee back to myself in 6^th as the last of the slick runners with Dodgey and Mark Vickers in 7-8 on the wets.

Race 2

Alan Dodge was on fire. From the back of the grid whooshka, He’s at the front in what was an awesome display of clean driving between 3 heavyweights. Dodgey, Dalton, Deano, that’s how they crossed. Mark in 4^th, Dave sneaking up the field in 5^th, Todd 6^th, myself 7^th and Anthony rounding out the 8.

 Home time and off to the Peachtree for dinner. Dam good feed, lots of laughs and back home with Pelly making the trip over to assess the data from the day on legs 11. Hmm, couldn’t get the dam thing to download so a nose cone adjustment was made to see the difference.

Sunday, Race 3.

Legs 11, handled much better, couldn’t believe the difference, couldn’t gain in pozzies though only coming home 6^th. Alan Dodge once again 1^st, Dean in 2^nd, Dalton 3^rd. These 3 were inseparable. Mark was finding some form for 4^th and Dave came home 5^th.

 Race 4

Dean Crooke took this one with Dalton hot on his heels in 2^nd. Alan so close in 3^rd. Dave snuck up to 2^nd early really finding some form except for a spin at turn 7. For HRT we give in, the old Arrow AX8 pumped out high 1.51s here and this weekend we couldn’t get close. Better luck next time. Shhiittt….We were all buggered by the end of the weekend, wow, Dave had a hidden talent, he cooked us all dinner, absolutely beautiful. Dave you’re welcome anytime… As usual Pooh Bah Crookey and myself were laughing at things we just can’t mention here! It would’ve been a dangerous mix growing up together. All headed off into their sunsets the Monday morning. In the 250 Inter class, Warren Mcilveen was on fire as usual. He and Sam Zavaglia give so much racing room when they come to lap the maxes. Jason Laker gets better and better with each outing in a twin, the v8 supercar of superkarting. The 125 class was taken out by Jeff Reed in a dominant display that netted 4 from 4. Well done Reedy. Until next time, yeah yeah..