Page Ranking: QUICK CRICK THE PICK IN WAKEFIELD QUALIFYING BATTLE 13 November 2005, 08:06



The main focus of Australian motorsport may be on Tasmania this weekend - but one Apple Isle local stamped his mark on Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn today, Greg Crick taking his Chrysler Viper ACR to pole position for the final round of the 2005 Speed Energy Drink Australian GT Championship and Porsche Drivers Challenge.

Crick, who is making his first championship round start this weekend, set a scorching pole lap of 1m00.7671 in fine conditions at the rural New South Wales circuit, besting series’ leader Peter Hackett by just over half a second to snare the top spot in a session characterised by a slick track thanks to oil left by a car in the preceding category.

Crick becomes the third different pole sitter from five rounds this season, the Tasmanian driver joining Hackett and Bryce Washington as the three men to score a pole position in outright qualifying this season.

Whilst happy to score pole, Crick said that the session was far from perfect.

“We were struggling with Throttle Position Sensor all session, so it wasn’t fantastic to drive,” he said. “The car has also got the wrong diff in it for this weekend, so its not geared correctly for this circuit so there is plenty more time in it.

“The car was much better when we put new tyres on it, though, and we are really confident that we have got a fantastic race package for tomorrow.”

Crick’s pole meant that four different marque’s filled the first four qualifying positions, GT points leader Peter Hackett placing his Team Lamborghini Australia Diablo GTR on the front row, just half a second behind Crick.

Hackett – who can wrap up GT by consistently finishing the opening few races tomorrow – said that he had just about found the limits of the Lamborghini in its current tune.

“That was all she had,” he mused. “The car was sweet to drive on old Tyres yesterday but once we put new ones on it brought out some unfavourable handling traits we didn’t expect to have – basically the car didn’t do what we wanted on the new rubber.

“All I want to do is wrap up the championship in the first few races and then go out and have some fun in the final. The car should be good over a race, so we’re looking fairly good at the moment.”

Ian Palmer was third, despite not running until first thing this morning after waiting for replacement gearbox parts to arrive overnight. The Queenslander steered his Instant Foundations Brabham Honda NSX to its fastest ever lap around the Goulburn circuit, the close confines of the track bringing the Honda closer than ever before to the leading pack.

“We made some fairly radical changes to the car before qualifying that either would have paid off or taken us in the wrong direction,” Palmer said. “Fortunately, they paid off. This car can be a bit of a pig sometimes, but this weekend it’s very nice to drive. Considering we missed two practice sessions (after waiting for a replacement gearbox part to arrive yesterday) I’m really happy.

“The goal will be to lock on to the leaders as best we can, although the second and third races should be better for us once the fastest cars have got some lead! (Ballast),” he said.

Mark Eddy was first of the Porsche runners, his Quarterback Clothing Porsche 911 GT3R a quiet forth – and top of the Australian Porsche Drivers Challenge ranks.

Despite only arriving in time for second practice this afternoon, John Kaias was a strong fifth in his ABCOR P/L Porsche 911 GT3 – looking competitive despite a lack of track time this weekend in his Peter Fitzgerald-prepared car.

South Australian title contender Bryce Washington had a terrible day, early practice pace spoiled by developing gearbox problems in his Adrad Radiators Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

And whilst his team is confident of rectifying the problems, Washington - who will wrap up the Australian Porsche Drivers Challenge outright and Open-class titles tomorrow by simply scoring points in each race – will be forced to work from the back of the field tomorrow.

Local ace Malcolm Lynn used local track knowledge – and a clear track for the majority of the session – to top A class in his Porsche GT3, whilst Ted Huglin scored his best qualifying result of the season to end the session 7th.

Neil Bryson was an unsatisfied eighth after going in the wrong direction with the setup of his Betterdeal.com.au Ferrari 360 Challenge, whilst David Giugni (Wiffens Fruit & Veg Porsche 993 RSCS), Don Tryhorn (Porsche 964 RS) and Ross Lilley (Speed Energy Drink Ferrari 360 Challenge) rounded out the top eleven.

The opening race of three tomorrow – all at 18 laps in duration – gets underway at approximately 9:30am.

For more information, head to www.porschedriverschallenge.com.au

Qualifying Times – Wakefield Park
Round 5 of 5

1. Greg Crick – Dodge Viper ACR - 1m00.7671
2. Peter Hackett – Lamborghini Diablo GTR – 1m01.2743
3. Ian Palmer – Brabham Honda NSX – 1m01.9190
4. Mark Eddy – Porsche 911 GT3R – 1m02.8882
5. John Kaias – Porsche 911 GT3RS – 1m03.3388

Open Class - Mark Eddy
Class A - Malcolm Lynn
Class B - Don Tryhorn


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JRV

www.PinnacleMotorsports.com