16/04/2025
Well, the April .e.e.r.s.1000 was definitely interesting.
Thursday saw practice, with 24h driver Zane giving the car its shakedown. Rookie drivers Nick and Shaun both jumped in next, finding the limits and getting comfortable with the track, and both having spins in T1. The car ended up 26th off practice times.
Friday was race day 1, with Lachlan first in the seat. The second the car got out on track, something felt wrong, but it was only until the green flag was flown that the lack of pace was noticeable. Regardless, Lachlan pushed through until the car sounded significantly louder through T1, where the exhaust decided to drop down, self straight piping itself. Once in, the team made the decision that the engine was finally on its way out, and so the team was split in 2. Lachlan, Nick, and Zane made the long trip back up to Perth, with Shaun and Brodie left in Perth to rack up as many laps as possible on the dying engine.
After a 3 hour trip up, another 3 hours spent pulling the engine out of the parts car, then another 3 hour drive back, the team did some work on the car to get it ready for the “new” engine. By this stage it was late at night, and Lachlan left, another 3 hour drive back up in preparation for excels the following day. The rest of the team called it a night, got some rest ready for the next day.
Saturday was race day 2, where the team got cracking onto the car, pulling the old motor out and the new one in. After countless hours and lots of modifications, the car was back on track, and significantly quicker than the day before. The car would occasionally jump into limp mode, making for another challenge, before Brodie took the car across the line to finish the race.
The team did however win the “Back from the Dead” award, a reminder to the enormous effort to get such a piece of junk back on the track.
A massive thank you to the team, other teams for helping with lighting and a helping hand when needed, and of course everyone who helped the journey so far. Lots of work left in preparation for June but there might be some cool things coming 👀
