Qualifying. A new event to the Super Modified calendar was the Big Bang. However, the format was familiar, being run in the same tried and trusted manner as the Bug Jam. Although strictly a RWYB, the Super Mods' passes on Saturday were allowed to count as pukka qualifying passes. First out on to the strip was Graham Ellis, who was chomping at the bit to in get his first pass in 18 months after Kev Perking deputised so superbly last season and also the last two events. As it was a RWYB however, traction proved to be somewhat lacking, despite the best efforts of the Santa Pod crew. Somehow Graham wrestled the erant Olds to a superb 7.74 despite going the long way round! By the end of qualifying though, Graham's weekend had come to an abrupt end as on a subsequent lap the Chevy engine took a disliking to a con-rod and unfortunately put the Cutlass on the trailer. Next up were Andy Kirk and Kev Taylor. After some good side by side rolling burnouts the numbers were a best of session 8.71 for Kev, and a dissapointing 8.44 for Andy. Again, the clutch was at fault for the Camaro, so it was transmission out once more! After adusting the clutch levers and adding a little more base pressure, 'Rat Fink' carded a respectable 8.12 in the final session despite the new problem of fluctuating fuel pressure! Kev Taylor and the CRAP Conversions crew were again in head scratching mode trying to get the car to launch harder. Hoping to put the disappointment of Easter behind him was Craig Gibbs, but as at round 1 'Obsession' proved to be in a difficult mood as it suffered backfires through both the carbs and headers. Eventually the Z/28 laid down an 8.52 for the number 5 spot, somewhat unrepresentative of the cars potential. After a couple of problems early on Andy Hone was creeping back down towards the E.T's expected of the big Scorpio, with a slight improvement in each session resulting in an 8.05 on Sunday's race only track surface. Another strong showing was provided by Steve Rawlings who chalked up an 8.04 for the number two spot by the culmination of qualifying, despite some Andy Kirk style clutch gremlins! Rounding out the field and making a welcome return was Simon Farmer. With the team sitting out most of Saturday going through the tech procedure, the Nova was in one piece come the evening allowing a tentative out of session check out pass for the re-vamped Chevy. Sunday gave Simon two chances to qualify and an extremely out of shape 9.15 resulted, only a sterling driving job keeping the Belmont Auto Services machine shiny side up. Final qualifying positions were as follows: .
Craig Gibbs was drawn out of the hat by SMRA track rep, Barbara Kirk to receive the £50 qualifying bonus from Obsession Motorsports. Eliminations Round 1 With Graham Ellis out Andy Kirk and Craig Gibbs' round one meeting would provide the victor a window to the final. After the final qualifying session on Sunday morning, the Kirk Motorsport team were left with 45 minutes to get the transmission in and out for some last minute clutch tweaks. Just as it seemed that the clock had won the battle, a lenghty oil-down provided the Rat Fink team with some precious few minutes to scrape down to the fire-up road in time. In the race, Craig unfortunately succumbed to further ignition troubles as Andy notched up a surprising-to-the-team 8.07 for the win. On the other side of the ladder, Steve Rawlings and Simon Farmer squared off. A hesitation off the line for the Supra opened the door for Simon to proceed, however just before the lights the Nova got out of shape again. On inspection the diff pinion had failed which released the prop shaft, this in turn cut through a slick providing Simon with another busy driving job. Thankfully the Nova came to halt safely, but the damage was terminal and Simon was unable to re-appear. The final pairing found Kev Taylor paired up against the resurgent Andy Hone. With the Capri still not rewarding the teams best efforts away from the startline, the Scorpio advanced with an 7.95. Semi-Finals With Simon unable to answer the call for his match up with Andy Hone, the semi's consisted of a pair of easy bye runs. Andy Kirk took to the track first of all and trundled to a 15 second ET, with Fred following suit on a similar eased up pass. Final For the second meeting in succession, it was to be Andy Hone and the Gleeson Wright Scorpio to take on Andy Kirk in his P.S.I backed Rat Fink Camaro..this time though it was for the trophy. With the Kirk Motorsport team's hands tied due to the new found fuel pressure bugs it was down to the driver to produce the goods. The Chevy driver didn't disappoint as a holeshot 8.05 narrowly covered Fred's charging 7.97. Once again the class has been attacked by parts attrition, but with a new points leader at the top of the standings, Graham Ellis' promised re-appearance for the next event, Andy Hone's return to form, as well as the rest of the field tightening up, it's still all to play for in '05. With the Super Mod's not invited to the Main Event, there are now 6 weeks before the next event at SCR which will allow several teams to regroup for a second half assault on the championship. |
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