A month and a half had passed since Dave suffered the disappointment of not even being able to complete qualifying at his last race meeting. With a brand new sump on the car and all oil leaks taken care of, he was ready and determined to make up for this disappointment.
Qualifying
Position: 7th
Fastest Lap: 1:53.15
Under overcast skies a field of 17 took to the track in the Under 2 Litre Improved Production grid. In his usual manner, Dave took his time during qualifying to get some temperature into the car and the tyres. On his 5th lap he started putting in some faster laps, and on his 6th he did his fastest ever lap of Eastern Creek with a very low 1:53 second lap.
Satisfied with this lap, Dave was happy to return to the pits and park the car on the next lap when the session was red flagged as a result of a stranded car between turns 4 and 5. The Corona was parked and given the once over to ensure everything was ready for race 1, then Dave and the team sat back and completed preparations for the race.
Race 1
1. #4 Bob Jowett – Ford Escort – 1:47.70
2. #33 Jacky Yick – Honda Civic – 1:47.32
3. #31 Ashley Birks – Holden Gemini – 1:47.88
DNF #21 Dave Youl – Toyota Corona – 1:53.98
Dave lined up on the grid next to regular rival Peter Street (8th) and right behind Ashley Birks in the Gemini (5th). Making a reasonable start, Dave maintained his 7th place and found himself behind David Noble in the Corolla through turn 1. The field made its way through lap 1 and sorted itself out to have Dave in 7th place closely following David Noble in 6th.
Over the next few laps Dave closed further on Noble, as Street and Bohm (Mirage) closed up to make a battle group of 4 cars. Noble in the Corolla had just enough extra grunt over Dave in the Corona to be able to slowly pull away down the straight, only for Dave to make up the ground again around the back of the circuit.
On one occasion Dave almost lost his position to Peter Street as he was baulked through 6/7 by Noble, to bog down a little in 3rd gear. Peter took advantage of this and got up the inside around 8. Dave clenched his butt cheeks and stuck to his guns around the outside, and held the inside line into 9 to retain the position.
The same continued for the next couple of laps, until, coming into turn 4 Dave tried to change from 4th gear back into 3rd, only to find a gearbox full of nothing. Similarly to swirling a knife around in a tub of butter, there was nothing positive to be found. Dave let the car roll to a stop in the infield, and waited for the tow back to the pits at the end of the race.
Fortunately the problem was only a 20 cent plastic bush at the bottom of the gearstick. A quick call to fellow competitor Geoff Fear of SSS Automotive confirmed that he had the required part and that the Corona would live to fight again (albeit from the rear of the grid) in race 2 and 3 on Sunday. Many thanks to Geoff for his help!
To read about Dave’s fight back through the field in the Sunday races, click here.
Race 2
1. #33 Jacky Yick – Honda Civic – 1:48.13
2. #31 Ashley Birks – Holden Gemini – 1:48.80
3. #41 Ryan Jagger – Toyota Corolla – 1:49.45
9. #21 Dave Youl – Toyota Corona – 1:53.65
Starting from 18th on the grid, Dave was keen to have a good start and make up some positions there while the race was still young. He made up several spots on the first lap, and from there steadily worked his way through the field to finish in 9th position, only a couple of seconds behind Peter Street in 8th.
Working through the field was not easy however, with a number of competitors making Dave work hard to progress. Notably Len Cave in the Honda Integra was particularly determined to hold his position, but a good run onto the straight and an inside run into turn 1 gave Dave the position.
Satisfied with this result, race 3 couldn’t come soon enough!
Race 3
1. #4 Bob Jowett – Ford Escort – 1:48.22
2. #31 Ashley Birks – Holden Gemini – 1:48.82
3. #41 Ryan Jagger – Toyota Corolla – 1:49.84
5. #21 Dave Youl – Toyota Corona – 1:53.54
This race was shortened from a scheduled 10 laps to only 6 as a result of a number of unfortunate incidents in the preceding races – including a nasty smash in the Over 2 Litre Improved Production race. Fortunately nobody was badly injured, however Phil Page’s RX7 was very badly damaged.
The short race meant that the start was even more important. Dave was able to pass a couple of cars off the line, and was inside Kingsley Lake coming into turn 2. A little understeer meant Dave drifted wide, but fortunately Kingsley gave him plenty of racing room. The two of them then were side by side through the next two corners, before Dave had the inside line into the left hander turn 5.
A couple of early retirements meant that Dave quickly had a clear track and was able to set after David Noble in the Corolla with whom he had been racing on Saturday afternoon. He was quickly caught, however passing proved to be far more difficult. While the Corona was stronger through the back of the circuit, the Corolla of Noble had just enough extra grunt (probably as a result of less weight as well) to pull ahead whenever Dave managed to get along side through a corner.
Noble resisted the pressure well for 3 laps and held on to claim 4th position, only 0.2 sec ahead of Dave. Whilst Dave was disappointed to not be able to pass the Corolla, he was very satisfied to be able to work his way back through the field to this position. A great race, and a fantastic way to end the season.
In car video part 1
In car video part 2
Thanks again go to our supporters who have helped out during the season, particularly those who helped out over this weekend Nathan Fragar, Tony Koomen, Andrew Best who has helped out with bits and pieces season long.
Final thanks need to go to our sponsors, without whom, we wouldn’t be able to race. Al Palmer Repairs in Penrith have helped out all year, and more recently Cromer Exhaust have also come on board. We look forward to your continued support in the future.
