Raw Motorsport

Well we are back in Melbourne. Did we do well, yes, but not as well as was reported. We managed a 12th outright in the classic competition which was better than around 30th last year, but we had a mix up on Sunday and through no direct fault of our own lost our class win to a competitor by 11 seconds.
Not to worry, it was boring winning class and category trophies every year (Right!!!!).

The car and crew returned with no dents, bumps or scratches.

As most people following us would know we have run the Michellin TB15 tyres the last 3 years waiting for rain. This year we pushed on with 4 Dunlop D02’s and 2 TB15’s as backups for the rain. No rain, so the Dunlop’s lasted the trip and to very good effect.

With the freshened engine, tyres and a great team we had a very good result.

Thanks go to Paul Girt (my navigator) for keeping things cool during the stress times, Porsche Centre Melbourne for the car preparation and on going roadside and night assistance during the event, and also to the car’s sponser, Dial Before You Dig, who this year ran 4 cars finishing, 1st, 3rd, 7th and 12th outright in Classic, and 2nd in handicap event.

I think this was a great result, and the TV advertising that correlated with the event seamed to help the message. We were approached a number of times with people asking if we were on the Tele.

I would like to thank John from wireless.ozcom.net who assisted us during the event with a wireless internet connection in Launceston, and even though we had some problems has been very responsive in rectifying the problem.

ok, so not a lot has happened on the website since day 2. I have had internet problems and i am writing this post from the west coast me tasmania, Strahan. Also of note is i am doing this from my mobile phone. It is going to be brief. A new format and new stages has mixed it up today. We are still blodding on, but the main field has been shaken with offs, tyre issues and mechanical problems. Last day tomorrow so fingers crossed that things in well. Thats it from me tonight. Catch you tomorrow.

Today we spent 10hours to have 3:37 secs of fun (or suffering), depending where you sit.As usual we had no idea at the end of stage as to our time (Paul and I just drive and navigate, the results just flow from that), but we were informed when we got back that we had placed 9th outright in Classic. Sad to say that wasn’t right, we were 12th, but this is only the seeding phase for day 1, so we weren’t getting excited.

As we approached the start of the stage, instructions that a car was off on turn 2 were heeded. Sure enough someone within 150m of the start had ventured offroad, up a kerb and into someones front yard. With one bent left front wheel, we later saw it being towed backed to launceston. Sobering to think how much effort and money had gone into that campaign, but we will wait to see if it is all over.

All and all we had a great run on our newly reconditioned engine from Porsche Centre Melbourne. Thanks goes to Paul Girt (my navigator) and Peter Bowen (Porsche Master Technician) who looked after the purchasing of parts and building the engine respectively.

The car feels great, and apart from a problem bedding in the brakes (we had very little brakes during and after the event) the car performed beautifully. The boys performed their magic at servicing tonight, bled the brake system, and I tested it out to give us the confidence we will need tomorrow.

As discussed yesterday I mentioned the “Dial Before You Dig” team. The team members are

Rex Broadbent/John Lilleyman -577- 1974 Porsche RS Carrera
Peter Eames/Will Logan - 573 - 1974 Porsche 3.0 Carerra
John Ireland/Mike Ribot - 643 - 1977 Porsche Carrera
Duane Rodgers/Paul Girt - 727 - 1985 Porsche Carrera

Please do not take pity on the early porsche’s as they are all many kilo’s lighter and have more horsepower than the 1985.

Anyway this is the team and we look forward to finishes from everyone.