The 2017 season of the SuperSport String began at Goulburn’s Wakefield Area last weekend with a volume of new Radical recruits making their competition first appearance in the open cockpit great.
Chris Perini and Mitchell Neilson made their own first Radical commences, Perini in the recently up-specced Extreme SR3RSX of Radical Quotes Cup front-runner Kim Burke, although Neilson was debuting his SR3RS, the pair joined by Peter Foothills in his V8-powered SR8, the group all looking to gain knowledge from the experienced RA Motorsports squad led by past Renault-F1 engineer Chris Papadopolous.
Whilst apply gave the squads a chance to get a feel for the 2.2-kilometre 10-turn circuit – and also their new mounts – passing provided their initial big challenge, with Saturday morning dawning cold along with damp, making any track surface just a little bit testy for the 9:00am program.
Reigning Series champion Darren Barlow needed pole position as part of his Stohr from Chris Sutton in a non-RAC spec SR3, but it was initially the Radical rookies who really excelled upon debut. Neilson was a notable third outright previous to Peter Hills from the potent SR8, whilst Frank Perini was a conservative eighth, looking to save his / her push for the front side until racing commenced.
Having not faced a standing start in his or her SR3 previously, Mitchell Neilson dropped time for fifth off the start off, but he had been very quickly back up to finally with the fast-starting Perini right behind.
Peter Mountain tops too was striking, inheriting second originating from a spinning Sutton and driving Barlow hard, but his particular impressive debut came to a premature finish after a slower car or truck on the final clapboard forced him on top of the grass and he seemed to be unable to recover prior to the chequered flag.
By then Sutton received regained P2 crossing the series just ahead of Neilson in addition to Perini, both of whom got improved their clapboard times significantly, Neilson’s overall performance no doubt bolstered by the mid-race fight for finally with the recovering Sutton.
Race only two saw another Radical caught out early, on this occasion rookie Chris Perini spinner on the roll-around lap prior to the start in an attempt to obtain some tyre heat range, dropping him by fourth to six.
Off the rolling get started Barlow led early, having Mitchell Neilson impressing for third clear ahead of Peter Mountain tops who finished without having a rear wing right after late race touching a lapped car.
Arguably this highlight of the battle was the battle between Neilson and Mountains throughout the race, Neilson quicker in the 1500cc SR3 across the top, but falling towards the might of the V8-powered SR8 regarding Wakefield’s two straights. Neilson ultimately designed the decisive switch a couple of laps in your own home, whilst Perini unfortunately was battling to find a consistent velocity in the cool a . m . conditions, falling into eighth at the hole.
Sunday afternoon’s ‘Trophy Race’ was the final event for the weekend along with warmer conditions Chad Perini excelled in the #68 SR3RSX storming by seventh on the opening up lap to the foundation on the final lap of the 15-lap feature.
Up entry the experienced Barlow led area of away. Mitchell Neilson was initially finally, having found the obvious way to keep Peter Mountain tops behind him while in the SR8, the SR3 rookie made it simpler for in the end by one late in the competition which saw Inclines spin at move three.
That brought out the protection Car allowing this area to bunch up for a sprint into the flag and whilst of which gave Neilson a chance to ogre Sutton for second, touching a lapped car harmed his left rear wheel and slipped him behind Perini pertaining to fourth.
Peter Hills at some point recovered for eleventh, with the new Revolutionary drivers amassing certain solid laps for your season ahead.
Round a couple of the SuperSports season is scheduled regarding RA Motorsport’s home venue during Sydney Motorsport Park for Saturday 29 Apr where a big arena of Radical squads is expected to join the actual Series for priceless miles ahead of the Major Australia Cup circular at the circuit in 8-9 July.
Qualifying (20-minutes)
1. Darren Barlow (Stohr WF1) – 0:57.6241
2. Chris Sutton (Radical SR3 – non-RAC spec) – 0:59.1539
3. Mitchell Neilson (Neilson Raceteam Major SR3 RS) – 1:01.0219
4. Peter Mountain tops (Radical SR8) – 1:Next month.4121
8. Chris Perini (RA Motor racing Radical SR3RSX) – 1:05.4773
Race#1 (15-laps)
One. Darren Barlow (Stohr WF1)
2. Chris Sutton (Revolutionary SR3 – non-RAC spec)
3. Mitchell Neilson (Neilson Raceteam Extreme SR3 RS)
4. Chelsea Perini (RA Motorsports Radical SR3RSX)
DNF. Cindy Hills (Radical SR8) – 14-laps
Race#2 (12-laps)
An individual. Darren Barlow (Stohr WF1)
2. Chris Sutton (The radical SR3 – non-RAC spec)
3. Mitchell Neilson (Neilson Raceteam Sweeping SR3 RS)
4. Chris Hills (Radical SR8)
Seven. Chris Perini (RA Motorsports Sweeping SR3RSX) – 11-laps
Race#3 – TROPHY RACE (15-laps)
1. Darren Barlow (Stohr WF1)
Only two. Chris Sutton (Radical SR3 – non-RAC talent tree)
3. Chris Perini (RA Motorsports Radical SR3RSX) – 11-laps
4. Mitchell Neilson (Neilson Raceteam The radical SR3 RS)
10. Chris Hills (Radical SR8) – 14-laps
