Images thanks to Gino Valdes
Round five of the 2020 CSCA supersprint series was held at Wakefield Park on Saturday the 12th of September, kindly hosted by the Triumph Sports Owners Association in conjunction with Motor Racing Australia.
With 2020 up to its usual tricks, we’d endured another short motorsport drought following July’s CSCA round three and Lotus Only Track Day double header. Happily, Wakefield Park welcomed us back warmly and put on a stunning spring day for the event.
Comprehensive COVID-19 safety procedures were in place, which shifted up the usual layout of the pits and paddock. However, thanks to the many happy spinters out to enjoy the day and the additional involvement of Motor Racing Australia, the atmosphere was excellent and the (more spaced out than usual) company and additional events out on track were enjoyed by all.
113 competitors set a time during the event, with 16 Club Lotus Austraila members out to play. At the top of the timesheets, Martin Duursma and Richard Wodhams resumed their usual rivalry, with Martin the fastest of the Lotus drivers on the day on a 1:05.15 and Richard just behind on 1:05.76. Sadly, neither had the legs to challenge Daniel Nolan in the monster five-litre Nola Chev historic race car. He ran away with the fastest lap of the day – 58.97.
New Lotus owner Jonathon Bristow settled into his Exige very quickly, setting a 1:05.87 and finishing fifth overall. Brett Stevens also ducked into the 1:05s and set a personal best along the way with a 1:05.9997.
Steve Madden went second P2 on a 1:07.78, with John Deller pushing the big Commodore to a 1:08.32 – fastest R3. Colin Rudd was the fastest Elise on the day, chasing Dellar home on a 1:08.43.
Peter Taylor, Gino Valdes and Tim Kierath ran neck-and-neck in the late-1:09s and early 1:10s. Gino and Mel’s car pulled double-duty all day and used up its pads, with Graham Allen (1:11.25, third M2) kindly swooping in with spares and help on the replacement job.
Jury Wowk is another new Lotus owner and CSCA participant, who’s already hooked and looking forward to joining us for more super sprints. Jury set a very clean 1:11.57 in an Exige S.
An unfortunate early mark for the Exige Cup 240 of Liam and Craig Sheppard left them with only a handful of laps to set a time, but nevertheless they were off to a strong start. 1:12.25 for Liam and 1:12.84 for Craig.
Ashton Roskill was his usual dab hand at the wheel of his beautifully turned-out Spitfire/Lotus Elite. He whipped the aurally-arresting automobile around the circuit in 1:13.11. Ashton finished directly ahead of a Golf R, which gives you an idea of how well he and Garth Selig of Repair and Restoration have the car working.
Keith Edwards had a good day in the Audi S3 to finish on a 1:13.56, and Mel Valdes (1:14.18) continues to gain confidence and consistency as she moves up the time sheets.
Huge thanks to the Triumph Sports Owners Association, Motor Racing Australia and the many volunteers who contributed. Your work hosting the event and managing the challenging conditions with such aplomb is greatly appreciated by all, as was the good company and fresh air.
We look forward to doing it all again at the final round of the season, which will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on Saturday the 18th of October and hosted by the Jaguar Drivers’ Club.
Images thanks to Gino Valdes
