Twenty-four contestants took to the Gunnedah Airport tarmac last weekend for the roll racing event, conducted by Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts (GME) during the Weeks of Speed Festival.
The event over 300 metres was a case of ‘mate against mate’ and ‘car against car’, featuring two vehicles with a rolling start at no more than 40kmh.
The driver in the right-hand lane initially set the pace after passing the start line.
Four rounds were conducted before lunch last Saturday, followed by a demonstration Power Skid under the “JMC Performance and Fab” banner which had 10 contestants chasing the $1500 prize pot.
Power Skid judges awarded Inverell’s Kevin Chard (driving his potent 1988 white Holden Ute/Ford Turbo ‘Barra’ motor) top skid points and the $1000 prize pot.
A couple more ‘mate against mate’ runs were conducted on the first afternoon.
Competitors were keen the next day, with a rendition of the national anthem by Alexis Swain on her eighth birthday setting the mood.
A couple of late entrants also took to the tarmac.
There were two runs of ‘run against who you like’, before the play-offs were conducted in vehicle classes and engine capacities.
The breakdown of the results had Ford’s owners taking out most of the eliminations.
Following roll racing prize presentations, drivers could nominate to have a crack at the standing start half-mile (804m) single vehicle sprint, for which GME holds the only current Aerodrome Track License in Australia.
GME event secretary Geoff Hood said, “Overall (it was) a successful weekend with visitors challenging the locals.
“(There were) visitors to Gunnedah from Tamworth, Taree, Inverell, Uralla, Wee Waa, Aberglasslyn and Failford.
“Interest has been received from Sydney to possibly assist with next year’s scheduled Roll Racing event.”
RESULTS:
Power Skid: 1st Kevin Chard (Holden/Ford barra turbo ute), 2nd Michael Robert (Ford Falcon EL);
Type 4 Sports Sedans, over 2 litre: 1st Kevin Chard (Holden/Ford barra turbo ute), 2nd Cameron Dumbrell (Ford G6e turbo);
Type 3 Late Modified Cars, over 2 litre: 1st Glen Swain (Ford Territory turbo), 2nd Daniel King (Ford, FG XR6 ute turbo), 3rd Jacob Verway (Ford XR8 sedan turbo);
Type 2 Road Registered Cars, limited modifications over 2 litre: 1st Rob Cock (Ford RG 8 supercharged);
Type 1 Road Registered, no modifications under 2 litre: 1st Geoff Hood (Mitsubishi Lancer, GME Club Car)
Ladies Trophy Competitors: 1st Shanae Roach (Ford Falcon Sedan), 2nd Stacey Mitchell-Garth (Ford Falcon Sedan).
Half-Mile sprints: 1st Daniel King (Ford xr6 turbo, 220kmh), 2nd Phil Wilson (Ford Mustang).
Stacey Mitchell-Garth.
