Sport and Recreation

2007 Ironbark Raceway Track Championship
Round 4, 14 July, 2007

It was a brilliant for drag racing on the 14th of July at Ironbark Raceway. 48 cars turned up for qualifying for Round 4 of the 2007 Ironbark Track Championship. But by the time racing commenced, at 4:30, that number had fallen to 28. 17 first time racers made the journey, thanks to the crews who traveled from as far away as Barcaldine, Longreach and Maleny. The first timers gave the seasoned racers a run for their money, with 4 of the 8 finalists debuting on the weekend. It was good to see 4 female racers turn out this meet, 2 in the Bike and 2 in Super Street classes.

It was proven this week that you don't need the fastest car on the track to win. Many of the finalists were driving slower vehicles and bikes. The one thing that they all had in common were they raced closest to their dial-in time. When racers go into racing they all have to nominate a dial-in, this is a time the driver thinks they will run over an 1/8th mile. To 'break out' is to drive faster than the nominated dial-in time. Many races are won or lost depending on a dial-in time.

Super Street had both first time racers and the only female racer to make the finals this season. Robert Webb, VS Statesman, gave Lenice Casey, XT Falcon Ute, a tough race and took the win. Lenice managed to wrangle the Ute from her new husband, Sean, to race at the meet.

Modified saw the return of Rhys Cochrane, in his UC Torana fully fitted with a new engine. Garth Fitzgerald, his Torana, had to settle for 2nd place this round making way for a very excited Rhys back for the first time since round 1 this year.

Bike also welcomed some familiar faces back to the track with Billabong Dennis racing for the first time in the championship, and Paul Seawright also returning and taking the win.

Both drivers in Super Sedan were from Barcaldine on their second appearance. Toby Maloney, in his Purple Ford Capri took the win from John Walton in his XD Falcon Sedan.

The top ten positions on the championship table have been all but secured and it will take some pretty good driving or an act of God to topple the leaders.

Results, Points after round 4
Bracket Winner
Runner Up
Modified Rhys Cochrane
Garth Fitzgerald
Super Sedan Toby Maloney
John Walton
Super Street Robert Webb
Lenice Casey
Bike Paul Seawright
Track Supporters
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