Our sixth and penultimate round of the 2019 CSCA sprint series was kindly hosted by the MG Car Club Sydney on Sydney Motorsport Park’s North (Druitt) circuit on Saturday the 14th of September.

The event was held in beautiful spring weather – great conditions for motorsport. Held just a few short weeks after round five, entries were a little on the thin side, with 74 drivers along for the drive. Club Lotus Australia brought eighteen of those along, and we mostly set up camp together, occupying a few of the garages along pit lane. The day progressed smoothly, offering plenty of track time and a relaxed atmosphere in which to improve our times.

Speaking of which, the Druitt circuit is the longer and faster of Sydney Motorsport Park’s two half layouts, introducing a tricky little cut-through after turn three that sees drivers bottoming out at the start of turn four then firing straight back uphill for a right-hander into the back straight. The rapid elevation and attitude change does a good job of challenging the cars’ balance and drivers’ peddling and introduces a new wrinkle into a series of corners we all know very well.

On to the results, and having occupied five of the top ten spots in round five, we went one better to go six in round six with Leigh Fuller, Martin Duursma, Brett Stevens, Richard Wodhams, Gino Valdes and Liam Sheppard all completing the day in the top ten.

Leigh Fuller was once again the fastest Lotus driver, clocking a 1:09.8 that put him third fastest overall, following some pretty serious winged and slicked machinery, and fastest P3.

Martin Duursma was not far behind in the Exige Cup 430, fastest M3 on a pleasingly balanced 1:11.3333 (can you tell it’s the guy behind the camera and not the wheel writing this?). Brett Stevens and Richard Wodhams occupied that same second of track time on 1:11.5 and 1:11.7 respectively, with Brett setting the fastest P2 time along the way. Martin, Brett and Richard were fourth, fifth and sixth overall.

Eighth and ninth went to Gino Valdes and Liam Sheppard, Gino pushing the Exige S to a 1:12.9 and Liam going fastest M2 on a 1:13.2. Colin Rudd just escaped the top ten this time around, setting a very clean 1:14.2 in the Elise 220 Sport.

Taking a break from Exiges and Elises for a moment, Len Goodwin steered the stunning and supremely sorted ‘64 Elan to a 1:14.8 that saw him fastest in CD1. Terence Waugh had the Renault Spider Trophy out for round six and drove it to the top of R4 on a 1:16.0.

Tim Kierath is clearly coming to grips with his Exige 410, managing to fire in a 1:16.4 that just snuck him ahead of Rex Hodder, 1:16.5 (fastest M1) in the Exige. Craig Sheppard borrowed the Exige 240R from Liam to put in a 1:16.6, with Melanie Valdes hot on his heels, just five tenths off on a 1:17.2.

Keith Edwards and Peter Deller managed the closest result of the day, Keith narrowly outrunning the Deller Commodore on a 1:19.27 that was just over a hundredth of a second faster than Peter’s 1:19.28. John Deller followed with a 1:21.2 in the Holden Calais and Greg Baker 1:23.3 in the Pulsar.

Gemma Gibson is putting in the track time and making improvements each time we head out. This round was no different, 1:27.2 in the Elise S.

Thanks to the MG Car Club Sydney for hosting round six, and to all of the friends and family who came out to support or enjoy the day with us! CSCA events always boast a great atmosphere, and in the beautiful Sydney springtime, it’s hard to picture a better day out.

Next time out, we will take a road trip to the country for the final round of the 2019 CSCA season – round seven kindly hosted by the Triumph Sports Owners Association of NSW at Wakefield Park. Entries are open now, so hit this link and join us to farewell the year’s sprinting in style.