|
TOMKINS TOUR COMES TO AN END IN SYDNEY
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. December 9, 2007. By Ben Graham
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series driver Gary Tomkins had the final hit-out of his three-race Australian tour Saturday night (Dec 8) at Sydney’s Parramatta City Raceway, with a high noise reading earning Tomkins a black flag in the main event while running well inside the top five.
“That’s a new one for me” said a somewhat frustrated Tomkins post race.
The local authorities mandate a strict noise limit to be adhered to (98 dB) and after reading 108 dB in his second Heat race, Tomkins’ Super Rooster Bicknell entry again recorded a high reading in the Feature leading to the mandatory black flag.
After his win the weekend prior in Maryborough, Tomkins and his Australian team came to Parramatta with high expectations, with Parramatta a venue renowned for its multiple grooves and slick racing surface. However, an as yet undiagnosed engine problem left the Tomkins’ car sluggish off the turns, making passing all the more difficult.
“It just didn’t seem to want to run right for some reason” Tomkins said. “But I’m not taking anything away from these guys, they were tough tonight and it would have been tough to beat them regardless. We had a good car but it just want good enough to win it and the black flag I guess just put us out of our misery a little bit. But what are you going to do, that’s racing. It’s the same everywhere; if you’re not right you’re not going to win”
The night was soured by a serious crash involving local Sprintcar driver Steven Grassmayr, who had to be airlifted to hospital by helicopter. A two-hour delay while extracting the injured Grassmayr from his car meant the expected three-wide groove was now much narrower, with Tomkins electing to set his car up to run the bottom.
“The way the car felt I just thought that was my best chance to try and run down there and we were as good as we were going to get running down there. I don’t think moving up would have helped at all”
“The groove did get a little wider but it was still quite fast and its tough to win on a track like that. Somebody’s got to do it but if you’re off a little bit your not going to”.
The Parramatta race marked the end of Gary Tomkins’ three-week stint ‘down under’, with the Clifton Springs resident returning home Monday.
“I had a good time. We’ve been to some great venues and met a lot of great people. I’ve had a good time racing and I hope we’ll be able to come back some day”
Summer Slam Rd 2
Parramatta City Raceway Dec 8
1st Mark Robinson, 2nd Stuart Herne, 3rd Tim Morse, 4th Scott Cannon, 5th Steve Wright, DNF Gary Tomkins ( DQ-noise)
For more information on Dirt Modified racing in Australia, please visit www.v8dirtmodifieds.com.au
For further details, please contact:-
Ben Graham- Dirt Modifieds Australia Media Liaison
Ph: 0413 761 733
E: graham.bl@bigpond.com |
|
