The sun has well and truly set on the 2014-2015 race season so let’s recap on what has been another successful season for this small but strong team.
This past season saw Squizzy and the team focus all their racing in their home state of Victoria running the 8 round Southern Speedcar Tour. They also contested all the
major blue-ribbon events held in Victoria including the 74th Lucas Oil Australian Speedcar Championship at Warrnambool’s premier speedway
SST Rnd 1 – October 18th 2014
The opening round of the Southern Speedcar Tour was held at Avalon Raceway in late October 2014. Squizzy would kick start his assault on the new season in the best possible way by winning the opening event.
SST Rnd 2 – November 1st 2014
This round at Western Speedway Hamilton would prove to be the low point of the season for the team. A huge crash whilst leading the first heat would result in no points for the night and a heavily damaged race car. Due to a slight concussion, a little overnight stay at the Hamilton Base Hospital was required for observation, but Squizzy was released the following morning.
BEASLEY MEMORIAL – November 29th 2014
One of the most prestigious events on the calendar and a race Squizzy has won on two occasions was held at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway. Squizzy qualified 2nd for the final and took the lead into turn 1. The 10v established a healthy lead but disaster struck with just 5 laps to go when the oil pressure gauge exploded in the cockpit. With oil all over him, Squizzy pulled the car infield not wanting to risk running the motor out of oil.
SST Rnd 3 – December 13th 2014
After a huge effort from the team and family to repair the car, round 3 saw Squizzy bounce back with a strong podium finish at Mid-Western Speedway Darlington although it was a challenging night. The high of winning the first heat was quickly diminished when Squizzy became the innocent victim in another driver’s crash during heat 2 and had to retire from the race. The team salvaged some much needed points after Squizzy drove from p9 to finish 3rd.
SST Rnd 4 – December 27th 2014
Blue Ribbon Raceway Horsham was another solid performance for the team. Starting the main event from p2 after qualifying well and leading for majority of the race, Squizzy was eventually passed and settled for a second place finish.
SPEEDCAR PRO SERIES – January 2nd 2015
The circus was in town and after being contracted with GRD for the inaugural series we were not going to miss the final round of the Speedcar Pro Series. The professionalism and calibre of competition is second to none.
The night started great with Squizzy time trialling in 5th from 26 cars and with two solid heat races (finishing 4th and 5th respectfully) he qualified to start the main event from p7. The final started well and Squizzy maintained his position for the first dozen laps or so until he literally got caught up with another car and they could not untangle themselves. Both cars were to restart the race at the rear of the field. With a lot of work to do Squizzy didn’t muck around and made head way to charge back into the top ten for a 9th place finish, all be it with a bent front axle sustained in the earlier incident.
G-TOWN RUMBLE – January 17th 2015
This event is one of the highest paying events on the Victorian calendar and is always hotly contested. Top qualifying for the night, Squizzy took the lead on the start and every start after that. Restart after restart drivers came together causing the caution on numerous times, and due to time constraints the race was declared a non-event after only 3 laps were completed.
SST Rnd 5 – February 7th 2015
Round 5 was held at Nyora Speedway in South Gippsland. Qualifying highest for the night, Squizzy was never challenged and lead the main event from start to finish resulting in a comfortable win.
VICTORIAN CHAMPIONSHIP – February 21st 2015
With a record number of 38 drivers entered, it was the toughest competition the team had encountered at that point of the season. Qualifying 3rd against all of the best drivers across Australia was a fair achievement but unfortunately a misjudgement in set up meant the team struggled lap after lap. The record books will show Squizzy finishing in 9th place, a respectable result considering the calibre of competition.
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP – February 27th-28th 2015
The biggest race of the season saw 50 cars from across Australia and the USA nominate to contest the event at a venue many regard as the best speedway in the country, Premier Speedway Warrnambool. For Squizzy his dream of becoming the first Victorian in 74 years to win this race would start in the best possible way, by winning the opening heat! After two more heats on night one, he was the second highest qualifier – out of 50. A 20 lap preliminary event was run on the first night and Squizzy finished a hard fought 5th.
Night 2 consisted of the final qualifying heat race, (a Bmain for non-qualifiers) and the 40 lap championship race. Showers persisted throughout the afternoon causing major headaches for organisers and teams alike. A solid performance in the last heat race guaranteed a grid 3 starting position for the main event. Due to the rain the track was damp and hooky and the team misjudged and gear selection, meaning Squizzy struggled with engine speed. Whilst he was consistent lap after lap and stayed out of trouble he eventually slipped back to a 12th place finish by races end. Although this was not the ending Squizzy and the team were hoping for it was still an unbelievable effort considering the outstanding quality of competition.
SST Rnd 6 – March 28th 2015
Back at Western Speedway Hamilton for the second time in the season, it was again not the best experience. Whilst the team finished the night in one piece and on the podium it was disappointing to again be caught up in another drivers mess during a heat and losing valuable points. Squizzy started from the rear for the feature event and drove through the field early in the race. He fell agonisingly short as he crossed the finish line less than half a car behind the winner.
SST Rnd 7 – April 11th 2015
The penultimate round of the series would prove to be great points haul for the team. Winning both qualifying heats, Squizzy started on pole position for the final and led every lap on a fast challenging track. The comfortable win put Squizzy within 19 points of the series leader heading in to the series finale the following week.
SST Final – April 18th 2015
With only 19 points separating first and second, some solid performances and a track that Squizzy loves and has done so well at over the years the team was quietly confident that another series win was possible. Unfortunately they never had the opportunity to find out what would have eventuated ass heavy rain set in and the event was cancelled before they’d even entered the facility. It was a disappointing end to the series, as the final result will always be an unknown. However is proud of their achievements throughout the season – 3 wins, 2 runner ups, 1 third and a dnf.
At seasons end the team were also acknowledged with some great awards
· Most Feature Wins (3, equal with Paul Farrell)
· Ass up Award
· Best Presented Car and Crew (4 votes, equal with Andy Pearce)
· Club Champion
We would, as always, like to acknowledge the support we get from all our valued partners and we ask that you support them when possible
· Sacrifice Scooters -www.sacrificescooters.com
· Dutton Garage –www.duttongarage.com
· Dirt Media Group –www.dirtmediagroup.com.au
· GP Truck Parts –www.gptruckparts.com.au
· Star Hotel Echuca –www.starhotelechuca.com.au
· Graham Racing Development –www.facebook.com.grahamracingdevelopment
· Echuca Bearings –www.echucabearings.com.au
· Jaxxon Wrapz –www.jeas.com.au
· APC Fasteners –www.facebook.com/apcfasteners
· Pickos Photos –www.pickosphotos.net
· Xpress Batteries –www.xpressbatteries.com.au
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