The conditions were hot and dusty on both days but an easterly breeze on (stronger on Sunday) gave some relief and cleared the dust quickly.

The 2007 field was an 11% increase on last year and 25% up on 2005.  Congratulations to the Nissan Car Club and all involved in promoting offroad racing in WA.  It is to be hoped that the rise in numbers will continue throughout the year.

In three laps on Saturday the event lost 10 cars - although five of these were to restart.

Ballantyne and Triscari in 589 had an undercar fire that initially created quite a bit of concern.  Flanagan and DVM in 518 lost their motor (very careless, boys).  The crew of 747 blew a head gasket and took no further part in the event.  John Velinga and Ninna Michaelson in car 33 broke an input shaft and were unable to continue.  Greg Dunn and BJ Elliott in car 83 were lucky they broke only CV joints.  Grant Payne and Michael Gullotto in 222 ended towards the rear of the field with unknown problems.  Numerous cars suffered from overheating although the temperature was not excessively high.

25 cars fronted the Starter on Day 2 for Section 2 with Agrela and Allen in 297 holding an out-of-class lead over Cooper and Rodoni in car 68.  Owen Davies and and Brett Sandells in car 14 were lying third, closely followed by Brian Uren in car 15.  See full Start Order for Section Two. 

The tale of woe continued for Car 83.  They destroyed a tyre and in the third round bent, then snapped, a steering arm.

Round 3 saw 19 cars front up. Brian Uren in Car 15 was doing well until he hit a strainer post and broke the right A arm.  Darren Agrela in 297 destroyed a tyre and elected to park the car rather than destroy a brand new rim.  Both 430 and 888 broke engine mounts and were unable to continue.  Overheating continued to be a problem for a number of cars, including 207.  Darren Russell and Blake Pugh in 525 blew their motor.

Eleven cars completed the entire event (36%).  Statistically a poor result but probably understandable for the opening Round of the season.  Outright positions belonged to Brad Cooper and Mick Rodoni in 68, Dave and Jarred Percival in 219, followed by Brett and Kevin Renton in 74.  Full Results

Kim Epton

PS Congratulations to Ted Schultz for travelling over 1000 kilometres from Carnarvon to compete (and winning the Production 4WD Class). Brett Renton also travelled from Carnarvon to support the WAORC Series.  The "word" is that there will be a large increase in the number of entries in the GasDash to give reciprocal support.