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Reports |
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2012 Toyota Racing Series Round Two Levels Raceway Timaru January 20 21 22
Thursday was again unofficial testing with three test sessions over the course of the day. We made a few changes to the car as the tyres become more worn out. I was happy with how the car was going.
Friday was official testing with two 20 minute test sessions. We put some better tyres on the car and the balance of the car was good and consistent for the two sessions.
On Saturday morning there was a half hour qualifying session. Once I left the pits I started to push for a good time straight away. Part way through the session there was a red flag. After coming into the pits I went back out and set a slightly quicker time but got pipped from third position in the closing minutes.
Race one: I started off grid 4 and got a great start getting into 1st place before turn one. I lead the race for a few laps before making a small mistake coming onto the back straight and going back into 2nd. I had a race long battle with Nick Cassidy but didn’t manage to get the lead back by the end of the race.
Sunday race two: I started off grid 3. I got boxed in at the start and slipped back to 5th place when the lights went out. 3 or 4 laps into the race I made a small mistake at the hairpin and locked the rear wheels, I slipped back to 10th and had to fight my way back up the field, I climbed back to 5th at the finish.
Race 3: I was on grid 2 for this race because the grid was a reverse top 6 from the finishing order of the previous race. Beside me on pole was one of my Victory Motorsport team mates, Dmitry Suranovich from Russia. I got a really good start in this race and quickly opened up a big lead, after 2 laps I was the length of the pit straight in the lead and I backed off to conserve my car. I could see Dmitry behind and he was doing a good job of keeping a gap back to the 3rd placed car. We crossed the line in 1st and 2nd for the Victory Team and I had my 1st win in the series.
I finished the weekend 2nd overall and now I am in 2nd place in the championship, 11 points behind Nick Cassidy.
Thanks again for all of your support, Regards, Damon.
2012 Toyota Racing Series Round One. Teretonga Park January 13 14 15
This year I’m being run by Victory Motor Racing for my second season in the Toyota Racing Series. Wednesday was the first day of testing for the weekend it was the international test day for most of the overseas drivers but as I hadn’t done the test days in December at Manfield I got to drive at Teretonga instead. There were 3 one hour sessions for the day to shake the car down. Everything on the car was working well.
Thursday was unofficial testing and it was the first time all the drivers were on the track together. There were 3 test sessions, we made a few minor adjustments to the car and I was happy with how the car was going.
Friday was official testing there were two half hour sessions. The bad weather had arrived and both sessions were wet.
Saturday: The track was very wet for the qualifying session. After doing a few laps I made a mistake coming into the first corner and slid into the gravel trap. The session was red flagged but the car didn’t have any damage. So I rejoined the qualifying and qualified 8th but due to causing a red flag I had a 3 place grid penalty which put me on grid 11 for race one.
Race one: The weather was changing from minute to minute. I was on dry tyres for the start of the race and it rained on the warm up lap, this caused confusion for some drivers. I stayed on the grid for the start and some of the drivers pulled into the pits to change to wet tyres. I got a good start and stayed on the track to complete the first lap in 6th place. After battling for a few laps I ended up in 4th place. Just before the end of the race two cars in front of me came together and flew off the track. I ended up in 2ndplace which was a really good start to the season.
Sunday race two: I was on grid 9 for the race and we started in dry conditions. Once again this race went well for me when some of the other competitors in front of me went off the track, and with another few passes I ended the race in 4th place.
Race three: I started this race on grid 3 in atrocious conditions. My grid spot was very slippery and I went back two places at the start. With visibility almost zero in the rain and hail this was a very difficult race. Two of the cars in front of me went off the track and after several safety car periods the race was called off when a cloud burst hit. I ended up in 3rd place.
When the points were added up I was the winner of round one and I am now leading the 2012 Toyota Racing Series. After qualifying so far back on the grid this was a great way to start the series.
I would like to thank all of my supporters for helping with my 2012 campaign.
Regards, Damon
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