Hednesford - Round 1 21/03/2010

D-Day had finally arrived! The Gods were looking down on me as we woke up to a beautiful Spring morning, a complete change to the previous day's constant rain

Dad was the designated tow-er for the day and we arrived at Hednesford about 11.30 in convoy with Pete (#31) and Mal (#32). The next hour or so passed in a blur of unloading, working on the car, drivers meetings, weigh-in, checking the transponder etc. Although hectic it did mean I didn't have time to get too nervous! After saying hello to everyone who'd come to watch it was suddenly time to go racing, finally.

Heat 1, out on track, tyres warmed, grid formed up and then....disaster! My belts weren't tight enough and couldn't be adjusted any further so that was that. 25 years of waiting and so close but my debut would have to wait. I spent the race watching from the infield as Steve Dakin in the #99 took the win.

After a frantic panic in the pits trying get the belts sorted we got them ready - huge thanks to everyone who helped. The car needed a push start as the battery decided to die but we were ready for Heat 2. I was a little slow reacting to the green but I decided to concentrate on getting used to the track. Made a few mistakes, particular on the West Bend where I was going in too hot but overall I was beginning to find my feet.

About halfway into the race oil was layed onto the track causing a spin on the West Bend in front of me with a number of cars involved, I decided to go high just as the cars in front decided to do the same. A stamp on the brakes, a heave to the left and I slipped through the smallest of gaps but boy it was close. The caution came out and I sat, back on the West Bend, laughing like a madman at what I'd just done.

The rest of the race finished largely without incident. I was lapped but took the chequered flag, and for that I was immensely proud. Richie Wilkes #1 took the win.

The Final came about very quickly and we were still having problems with starting the car and then keeping it going. I took the green after receiving a push start, again I was slow on the drop but settled into a decent pace and began catching the little group of 4-5 cars in front. I'd just began to plot my move when another spin in front forced evasive action and the caution came out. Sadly that was to be my downfall - the car cut out and wouldn't restart and that was my race done, just as I was beginning to settle into the track. The race was won by Richie Wilkes in the #1 again.

So I survived the meeting, as did the car, I ran some decent laps, avoided a couple of wrecks, ran in the pack and took a chequered. I couldn't have asked for more in my debut meeting, the first time I've ever raced and without any chance to practice on the Hednesford oval.

Check out the Photo section for a gallery from the meeting.

Thanks again to everyone who came along, it was great to have all that support. Roll on the next meeting in May and I hope to see you all there again!