2024 ROUND 5 - ONE RACEWAY - REPORT

A long overdue return to the regional NSW Race track formerly named Wakefield Park.  The re-opened venue with many updates welcomed the race fraternity at the newly named One Raceway. SuperSports would run in combined races with the NSW Formula Cars . A 12 car field came out to qualify in damp conditions, a mixture of 10 Supersports and 2 Formula cars.

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Mark Brame in the Radical braved the conditions to claim pole from Simon Copping. Warwick Morris and Terry Knowles shared row 2, as Craig McLatchey and Aaron Lee occupied the 3rd row. The rest of the top ten were Michael Doherty, Steven King, Rodney Baker (Formula car) and Shane Varley. The unfortunate Paul Palmer retired into the pits just after 1 lap without setting a time. Rodney Baker was given a Black Flag for noise infringement. 

Race 1 started on a wet track, as the field approached the turn 2-3 complex all different racing line were visible. Drivers utilised the widened track pushing the track limits to the new preferred line . The leading pack was 3 wide as they approached turn 3. Brame proceeded to pull away from Knowles, Copping and Morris. The latter went wide at turn 3 and slid into the muddy outfield. He lost about 30 seconds trying to get back onto the track, and to his credit, he was able to rejoin.

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By mid-race distance the 3 leaders were spread apart, Brame from Knowles and Copping. There was a spirited battle for 4th between Lee and Baker, this all came to an end when baker was Black Flagged again for noise. Unfortunately, his weekend was over with the 2 strikes and your’re out rule. Morris was working his way through the field trying to recover from the earlier mishap. He was able to finish in 7th at race end. Brame won from Knowles and Copping. Lee was 4th and Doherty finished in 5th.

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As the cars rolled out for the second race the track was drying up, however as the formation lap was about to finish a massive rainstorm hit. The field was driving to the conditions as they rounded the first couple of corners in the wet, but the rain became heavier as the race wore on. Brame claimed an early lead from Knowles and Lee. For the rest of the race it was a matter of just staying on the track, there was standing water everywhere. 

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Adam Savic was the first casualty, retiring just after one lap. Multiple drivers spun, Morris, King, Copping and Brame. Some somehow rejoined by navigating through the thick mud. Others unfortunately were stuck. Cars were just aquaplaning on the main straight.  A safety car was introduced to and help with the clean up. The race finished in a controlled condition, with Lee coming home 1st from Brame and McLatchey. Knowles was 4th and Morris 5th. 

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The final race was fortunately held in sunny conditions, the track was dry except for a 30m long section just before pit exit. Brame made the best start from Lee and Morris. The unfortunate Knowles found him self right at the back with a lot of work to do. The 3 leaders immediately pulled away from the rest, as Doherty and McLatchy squabbled for 4th position. 

As Simon Copping approached the last few turns, he put his hand up to signal to the rest of the field that he would retire. Knowles was working his way through the field nicely when Varley’s car stopped just after the fishhook. Unfortunately, this brought out the safety car again and stabilised the race. The final result under the safety cars was Brame 1st, Lee 2nd and Morris 3rd. McLatchey 4th from Knowles. Doherty was 6th and King finished 7th.