The Bathurst round of the NSW Hillclimb Championship was run last weekend. Who competed and what were the results?

Anyone?

How did Craig Torrens go?

He won day 1 at the esses with a new record again. Well done!

On day 2 Nathan Abbot drove past him to grab a record for himself I think. Well done Nathan.

It sounds like good close competition.

Jakjones responded to this yesterday and then deleted his post. He mentioned Craig need a wheel alignment which may be the reason he didn't win on Sunday.

A wheel alignment! what for...........to go faster!

Yes it was a very close W/E of motorsport. There were a number of VW's that competed in the outright category, F/Fee and 3J Imp Pro 1601-2000.

Peter Gumley won both events (Sat - The Esses & Sun - Mountain Straight). Noel Porter won F/vee both days as well.

the 3J Imp Pro class was made up of 7 beetle entries. Heath & Christine Campbell, Grant Cook (Ben Duries car), Martin Fleck, Craig Torrens and me and the old man (John & Nathan Abbott).

Sat was very close competition between me and Craig for the Imp Pro win. I managed to brake Craigs old record on my first run, but craig managed to beat it again (2 x other times in fact) by a few tenths to take day 1 and a new class record. Heath was 3rd about 0.8 seconds back with his wife (Christine) and Grant Cook equal 4th only a few tenth of a second slower.

Sun was also very close between Craig, Heath and myself. Grant Cook didnt start sun due to engine probs, so we were 1 VW down. I took the win in Imp Pro on Sunday and shaved 0.70 of the old record set by Heath last year. Craig was a few tenths back in second and Heath was 3rd, another few tenths back.

Craig had a massive moment over the top of mcphillamy park at nearly 200kph on his 3rd run. He clipped the wall at speed after slidding over the finish line and did a bit of damage to his beetle (repairable). Craigs alright but the rear drivers side will need a bit of massaging. Craig and I were taking some big risks in trying to beat each other, so these things have to be expected when you drive flat and not like softies.

On another note, my new Pobjoy "super steroid" engine is for sure a new rocketship. I am very very happy how the engine preformed on the track as well as the 1000 odd klms I did driving it on the road to run the engine in before the event.

You will be able to read all about it (as well as photos) in the next issue of VMA .

Nathan

[ Edited on 20/3/2007 by bat69 ]

Thanks for the story. Exciting stuff.

Have you got an in-car video? It would be great on Youtube!

My poor beetle :cry

It was quite scary seeing Craig lose the car, especially as it was at a very fast section of track. We could see Craig's tacho shift light shining through the back window just before the finish line and he was in 4th gear which is a 'big' speed - around 190km/h. I really hoped I didn't hear a 'crunch' just after he slid out of view, but.... 'crunch'

Unfortunately, another competitor two cars ahead of Craig 'misted' the track with fuel - I don't think the flaggies saw it due to their position. So, no red flags, no track inspection... The car competing just before Craig (datsun) also lost it, but didn't do as much damage.

It's only Craig's second panel damaging 'lose' in 15 years of competition and will be fixed very quickly :thumb


[ Edited on 21-3-2007 by VWCOOL ]

the light was set at 8000rpm !!

pity about the fuel on the track............the Datsun also hit the wall.

Glad to hear that you were not hurt Craig.

8000rpm, 190km/h...what was the tyre height?....LOL!

Glad you are alright Craig:kiss

Congrats Craig & Nathan!

So Nathan the new Steroids goes alright....?

Glad to hear your alright Craig!

How much damage?

Hey guys - I have had some password issues but that is now sorted thanks Andrew. I have got a couple of photos from the Bathurst Weekend from both days.

It was great to see close racing but not so good to see Craig cope the wall. It was good to see that he was not injured and will be back quickly.

As for fuel on the track I have got some photos of that too but that is a different story.

Here goes for the photos - to read the write up and see all the photos look out for the next issue of VWMA. If anyone one wants to get some photos PM me or email
flashpix@optusnet.com.au

some more .............

some more

The last one is of Craig having a hot go at it into the essess on his record breaking run for Saturday.

[ Edited on 28/3/2007 by flashman ]

Top stuff, flashman

Great pics. Pity about the car old fella. Are you sure it's not a balast issue? :kiss