Results Archive
Easter Thunderball 2012
Easter Thunderball
Santa Pod
| Championship Order | Best Run | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andy (Fred) Hone |
8.25 @ 166.07 |
| 2 | Peter Thompson |
9.38 @ 142.60 |
| 3 | Tim Mugridge |
11.35 @ 85.54 |
| 4 | Rob Elsom |
|
| 5 | ||
On Thursday evening we had 4 cars and crew in the pits at Santapod. Everyone was busy finishing off their cars for the season opener ‘The Easter Thunderball’.
2011 SPRC Champion Fred Hone was finishing installing his cylinder head after being measured by tech following repairs over the winter. Rob Elsom, the newcomer to Super Modified was completing the finishing touches to the 1989 Oldsmobile ready for his first outing in this class. Tim Mugridge was getting ready to fire the engine from last season and Peter Thompson was making sure the car would stop successfully by bleeding the brakes.
Friday came and we were out to play on the 2nd session which was at 3.30. First out was Peter who was anxious to get to the end of the quarter for the first time since the incident at the Summer nationals in June last year, all went well and a 9.38 was chalked on the qualifying board. Fred and Tim were next. Fred launched and then hesitated but ran through with a 8.25, Tim drove the car gently with a 12.72. Unfortunately Rob was unable to make this call but would hopefully make the next one.
Friday evening arrived and we had another opportunity to run about 6.30. Fred span the wheels on launching and made no improvement to his previous qualifying time. Tim’s car put out lots of smoke and sparks at the 330 mark with a 11.35 and Rob did a nice burnout but bogged down on the launch, at this time it was now getting very cold and time to warm up and settle down for the evening.
The weather was very hit and miss for Saturday, the racing was stopped many times for rain and the track crew were constantly working hard to clear the water from the track. We managed to get a run in close to the end of the day at 7.35pm. It was getting cold and dark. Peter blew the tyres away in a big way and coasted to the end of the track. Fred managed to drive through his tyre shake, Rob blew through his clutch and no improvements were made to anyones ET. Never mind we still have another day to qualify.
Sunday came and went with a succession of rain showers. The day brightened up towards the evening but time ran out for the SuperMods. This now left eliminations on Monday. As Tim had engine damage and Rob unfortunately did not qualify as he didn't manage a full pass, Fred and Peter were left with bye runs each to the final.
Typical Bank Holiday weather on Monday and neither the semi’s or the finals were run. The meeting was called and no Easter Thunderball champions were crowned.
The weather could of been kinder but it was good experience for Peter to complete the first run and for Rob to get back in the chair after a few years.
Peter Thompson
SM1968
