Bathurst race report 2011

Over the Easter Long weekend Formula Ford 1600 made a return to Mt Panorama for the first time in 7 years! The chance to race at such an iconic track in an open wheeler was one I could not refuse. I have been going to the Great Race at Mt Panorama for as long as I can remember.. (It was infact, the first place I rode a bicycle without training wheels - random bit of trivia for you all).. And to finally have the chance to race around it at speed in a Formula Ford was irresistable.

As soon as entries were available I was immediately in contact with my team Anglo Australian Motorsport based in Sydney, and luckily I was able to secure my State Championship winning car from 2007 for the event.

Once I arrived at the famed circuit, despite not having raced for almost two and a half years, it was straight back down to business and in to race driver mode, with a track walk on thursday, no easy feat around the steep track mind you.. , looking through track data over and notes I'd made from a previous trip, while also watching videos and onboard footage over and over in an attempt to familiarise myself with the daunting 6.213 km layout as best I could.

Roll on to Friday morning, and practise 1. After  the first and shortened practise session   I was left with a few strong thoughts.. 1) "wow this place is fast" 2) "WOW those walls a closer than you think" 3) "GIMME SOME MORE LAPS THIS  TRACK  IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!"

We made some slight tweaks to the car, and some major tweaks to the driver and set off for qualifying. Due to red flags, I was only able to complete one flying lap in qualifying (GIMME MORE LAPS!!), but it was good enough to sit me 4th at the completion of the session. While it was unfortunate to not get the most out of the session, I was well in the hunt in the front group and after some analysis, I was sure my race pace would be much faster.

Having not raced for over 2 years, to say I was nervous as we pulled up to the line for the start of race 1 is an understatement! After the lights went out, I was quickly back in the zone, getting amongst the front runners and feeling racey. The top of the mountain claimed a fellow competitor and after a short safety car intervention, we were back and racing again. There was some confusion amongst the leaders of the race however, as we crossed the line to commence the final lap, I was sitting in third, looking to pick up some pieces should the front pair have any difficulties when, to my surprise. they pulled in after turn 1 (the normal entry to the pits at Bathurst) - effectively handing me the race lead, and what would become the win! It was quite a strange circumstance, but to take a win at Bathurst after 2.5 years out of a race car, to say I was happy in an understatement.

To read more on race 1 see the link below; 
http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/news/local/sport/motor-racing/bizarre-twist-leads-to-success-storey/2142915.aspx

The plan for race 2 would be straight forward, make a good start, and get my head down. The plan went perfectly, I was able to secure the lead of the race, and put in a "big" effort across the top of the mountain to ensure that I would not be caught, eventually winning by over 5 seconds. Two from two.. only one to go

Race 3 we knew would be harder, with the two front runners from race 1 being back in contention, I would try to get my head down and push from the get go. Luckily I was able to once again get a great start and hit the front, pulling a small, yet significant lead as the laps ticked by. Unfortunately a fellow competitor was able to get in to my slipstream down the famed conrod straight on the fourth lap and slip by. Almost immediately after the safety car was deployed and the race was nullified, and it unfortunately finished that way, with the Anglo Motorsport Spirit in second place.

It was an absolutely awesome experience to race at what is one of the worlds great race tracks, and to win two of the three races made it even more exceptional. It felt great to be back in a race car again, and even better to be on the top step of the podium!

I was fortunate enough to have an on board camera for the weekend, and I will try and send through some of this footage in the near future.

Thanks again everyone for your support.. I've gotta try and find my way back in to a car on a more permanent basis !!

Robbie Storey