AUSF3: NSW F2 Eastern Creek race notes

2001 New South Wales Formula 2 Championship

Round 3 - Eastern Creek 23-24 June.

Sunshine greeted the competitors for the third round of the state championship at Sydney's Eastern Creek raceway. Eleven drivers entered this round and were looking to set their steeds loose on the dry fast circuit. But as it unfolded, most had bad luck in qualifying and race one.

Qualifying saw casualties of Don Hewitt and Kevin Lewis before a wheel had been turned. But the series saw returns from former champion Greg Hunter and Steve King. King returning in Terry Robertson's Sirch after Ben Morley detonated it a few seasons ago. Ted Dunford debut the former David Choon Reynard with a wonderful paint job. Seemed to work. He was quick straight out of the box. Dunford posted a 1m36.1716 lap, which was good enough for pole. Behind him was John Muddle with a 1m37.449 and Ian Black stopping the watch at 1m38.900. Black still was having problems with a faulty belt. Terry Robertson, Antony Wood and Tom Brickley were next all in the low 1m40's with Robin Bishop and Greg Hunter both getting under 1m50. All were poised for a good race Saturday afternoon.

Race 1 saw a Fine victory to Dunford. He had most of the running throughout the race. Terry Robertson picked a fine second thanks to a tangle with Brickley and Muddle. Tony Wood was the only other to finish. Hunter failed to finish and Muddle was disqualified. Unfortunately Robin Bishop, Steve King and Ian Black failed to start as did the withdrawals of Hewitt and Lewis. Dunford's race average was 145kph.

Race 2 on Sunday morning looked to be different with Terry Robertson getting away well to lead through the first few turns before an engine problem saw him eventually finish 6th. Dunford picked up an effortless win with Muddle and Brickley fighting all the way to the end to finish 2nd & 3rd respectively. Tony Wood and Greg Hunter were the final finishes. Average speed for Dunford was 142kph.

The final race saw another great race. With Dunford getting away only to have Brickley and Muddle reel him in by the halfway mark. Dunford eventually won but by less than a second to Brickley and half a second to Muddle in third. Hunter was next followed by Wood in 5th. Dunford's average speed was 138kph. Bishop, Robertson, Black, King, Lewis and Hewitt failed to bother the lap scorers.

So off to Oran Park in July for the next round. It will be held on the Grand Prix circuit rather than the Club circuit as advertised. See you there.

-Kim Saffron