A lucky stroke of clear weather welcomed 31 teams to this past weekend’s Nankang 300, the Track Attack Australia Excel Enduro running as a part of the fourth round of the Queensland Racing Drivers Championship.
Category manager Brett Peters remarked on the special place in his heart for the Nankang 300 with the endurance element keeping drivers focused on making it to the finish, bringing out the cleanest and most respectful racing of the season. “This is the event that keeps people coming back year after year,” he said.
The action began with a half hour long qualifying session on Saturday morning in which both drivers from each team were required to set a time, kicking off the team strategy and driver changes right out of the gate. Kade Davey #116 would take pole position with a 1:30.34 around Queensland Raceways National Circuit, just a tenth ahead of Connor Roberts #19 who would join him on the front row of the grid.
Two sprint races remained on the first day of competition, first up, the B drivers for 8 laps of adrenaline filled action followed by the A drivers who would start in the finishing order their teammates secured in the race prior. Nash Morris would win the B drivers race in the pole sitting #116 but things would be shaken up in the A drivers sprint as Jaylyn Robothamm would take the #54 to victory after starting from the second row of the grid.
Sunday began with a top ten shootout, a crucial last chance for the top of the field to shake things up and secure an all important front row starting position for the first of two 150 kilometre races. Jarrod Hughes #50 would succeed in shaking things up jumping up to the front of the grid ahead of sprint race winner, Jaylyn Robothamm #54.
Jaylyn Robothamm #54 would capitalise on his front row start alongside his teammate Brett Parish to cross the line first at the end of the first 150 kilometres ahead of saturday’s qualifying pole sitter Kade Davey and Nash Morris #116 who fought their way up from 6th on the grid.
There must have been something special about that 6th starting position because it would be the 6th place starters of Connor Roberts and Ryan Casha #19 who would ultimately win the enduro in spectacular fashion. Behind them, George and Jack Wood #680 would take second place ahead of Jaylyn Robotham and Brett Parish #54 on the third step of the podium.
Finally, the “Up on the Wheel” award (otherwise known as the “Hard Charger Award”) sponsored by ex-Indy Car driver Max Papis awards a brand new Max Papis Innovations steering wheel to the team who fought the hardest to climb through the field. Super 2 Driver Cam Mcleod would team up with Patrick Neville in his second ever race meeting to take out the award and collect that magnificent MPI steering wheel for the #312 Hyundai Excel.
Track Attack Australia now heads to Winton Motor Raceway this weekend to join the nationally televised Hi-Tec Oils Super Series. Who will take home the MPI steering wheel this weekend.
Photography: Mathew Paul Photography
