Issue 18 Rolling Thunder E-Mag

It’s still hammer down for Ray Welsh 51 consecutive seasons of racing.

Congratulations Welshy.

Rolling Thunder e-Mag. Issue 18 Jan 2012 Editors; Ray Solomon, & Brett “Pirate” Swanson PHOTO’S Courtesy of: Pirate Media.

Swanson.1@bigpond.com Shane Sharrock inactionphotos.com.au MEDIA RELEASES: • Pirate Media—Brett Swanson • Dean Thompson (DMT Media).

• Formula Motorsports Group Pty Ltd. • All Stars Media

COMMERCIAL AUTOMATICS Specialising in Heavy Vehicle Automatic Transmissions Service - Repairs - Exchange Units

Commercial Automatics is an authorised Allison Dealer.

Commercial Automatics specialize in ; Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus, Voith, Renk Doromat, Z.F.2 Speed & Z.F.Ecomat, Scania, Industrial & Marine Transmission repairs.

Commercial Automatics has “Change Over units for most makes of transmissions”.

CONTRIBUTORS; Brett Swanson Ray Solomon

Got something to contribute?

All contributions welcome send to swanson.1@bigpond.com or ray@fmg.au.com

COPYRIGHT:

Material contained in Rolling Thunder Racing E news is protected under the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968. No part of this publication may in any form or by any means be reproduced without the prior written permission of the Publisher. The publisher has taken all reasonable precautions to ensure the complete accuracy of material contained in this publication, however, it is a condition of receiving this magazine that the Publisher does not assume any responsibility for any loss or damage which may result from the content of material published in this magazine. Although Rolling Thunder Raceway Promotions Inc uses its best endeavours to ensure the accuracy of everything it publishes, the Fair Trading Act 1985 requires Rolling Thunder Raceway Promotions Inc to disclaim any belief in the truth or falsity of information whish is supplied to it and which is published in other than editorial comment.

Unsolicited editorial contributions are welcome, how ever, no responsibility can be accepted for their safety or return. The options of contributors are not necessarily those of the Publisher.

7 Lambeck Drive Tullamarine, Victoria.

Australia. 3043 PH: 03 9338 0120 FAX: 03 9338 0315

COMING EVENTS Big Sprintcar double header 27 & 28 January Friday 27th January at ROLLING THUNDER RACEWAY. SPRINTCAR THUNDER SERIES (Round 5) Australian Dwaft Car Nationals, Outlaw Thunder Sedans.

Saturday 28th January at REDLINE RACEWAY THUNDER ON THE MOUNT SPRINT CAR CLASSIC. (Round 6 of the Sprintcar Thunder Series) STREET STOCKS, JUNIORS, FORMULA V8s

Late Models Saturday February 4th at ROLLING THUNDER RACEWAY VICTORIAN CHAMPIONSHIP FOR LATE MODEL SEDANS. SDAV HOT RODS,

Solomon repels Ramsey for thrilling Sprintcar Thunder win @ Rolling Thunder Raceway.

Domain Ramsey made one of his infrequent visits to Rolling Thunder Raceway (RTR) on December 28th and almost went home with the win after a big slide job scored him the lead on the last lap, however series points leader Chris Solomon was able to get the better drive off turn two to retake the lead and the win by just 0.76 seconds with Brad Foster exorcising his demons and grabbing third.

A solid 16 car field of Sprintcars were on hand to contest round three of the Sprintcar Thunder Series including American RJ Johnson who again failed to start the main event due to mechanical dramas. Solomon and Nyora winner Shane Heathcote were lined up on the front row and an exciting battle was anticipated but when Heathcote jumped the start and was sent to the rear Ramsey was the man to fill the void.

For his part Solomon in the Secure-a-pet #83 blasted out to an early lead and was headed for his third straight win here until Michael Cunningham and Rory Button collided while fighting over fifth place and Button spun directly in front of the leader who somehow was able to narrowly avoid contact. “Rory and I were looking eye to eye at each other and somehow I managed to find reverse.� stated a relieved Solomon later.

The ensuing restart allowed Ramsey to mount a challenge and as the race progressed these two set their fastest laps of the night as they fought hard.

With lapped traffic coming into play Ramsey threw his cards on the table and when Solomon went around the outside of the slower car into turn one Ramsey chose the inside and slid through into the lead but as his momentum carried him up track, Solomon dived to the inside and got better drive off the turn to retake the lead with the two cars hitting turn three almost side by side with more lapped traffic ahead. I n a thrilling finish Solomon held on for the win just ahead of Ramsey with Foster (pictured) third ahead of Paul Solomon, Button, Cunningham, Peter Logue, Zac Farrer, Kate Searle, Gary Bruce, Mark Weaver, Kristy Ellis and Justin Morris with Heathcote a non-finisher.

Heat wins had been scored by Heathcote, Chris Solomon (2) and Ramsey.

BRETT SWANSON

Daniel Timberlake—Cost of complet Why wouldn’t you buy one when yo

te late model $25,000 ou can then do this???

AMCA Nationals win to Ca The AMCA Nationals put on another brilliant feature with Campbell Hughes taking the lead from erst while leader Grant Cullinger with just two laps to run with Jamie Collins again on the podium.

ampbell Hughes

The AMCA Nationals backed up from Horsham the night prior and it was couple of laps but as he struggled with turn three and four he was soon a couple of laps before Cullinger hit the front and led the next 14 laps.

Hughes however finally broke free of a tough three car battle and over t of turn 1 had some good drive and with just two laps to go dived under deny the popular budget racer the win with Collins completing the podiu Jackson, Lodwick, Bryon Bourke and Shea Bradley.

“I’m glad I won tonight because I’d like to take the opportunity to tell ev now become.” Said Hughes at the trophy presentation.

AMCA heats were won by Jackson, Hughes and Lodwick.

s Steve Lodwick who led the first n passed by Jamie Collins who led

the closing laps found the bottom Cullinger to take the lead and um ahead of Paul Sullivan, Mick

veryone how good this track has

In the sedan classes, the Formula V8 heats were won were won by Chris Denton. For the feature both classe at the front and it was Lister who stormed away for the Outlaw Thunder Sedan passing some of the more pow class ahead of Ivermee in the Glen Lawless #99 (FV8), spectacular V8 powered Cortina, and Keith Harris and

by Sean Lister and the Outlaw Thunder heats es were combined with the Formula V8’s starting e win with Denton in his super fast GV1 Falcon werful V8’s and taking second overall and first in , Kieran Brennan Snr (FV8), Richard Morris in his d Gavin Cooper in a pair of Commodores.

LATE MODE

VICTORIAN CH ROLLING THUND FEBRUARY 4th 2012

EL SEDANS

HAMPIONSHIP DER RACEWAY

ALLAN JEFFREY #43

Glenn Lawless jams the 99 under Victorian Champ Jason Kavanagh on the high speed Bacchus Marsh Bowl. (lol)

Keith Harris

“MICK ACTION JACKSON”

(Kingston Automotive)

Eddie Ivermee in the Glen Lawless #99 (FV8), In the future, this car will be driven by Robert Forbes!

When veteran Graeme Nugent struggled to keep the “spooky� handling #74 under control even in a straight line he ended up hitting an infield tractor tyre which as you can see, won the battle. (above). (right) R.J. Johnson (III) has twice ventured south from his Sydney base but each time the American has been packed up early due to mechanical issues.