CAMS Offices (Sports House) Cnr. Caxton & Castlemaine Streets, Milton Q 4064. Meeting Start - 7.45pm approx. Pre Meeting Drinkies and Feed up at the Paddo Tavern as usual.
Peter O'Donnell aboard the GWS Personnel BMW 130i had a strong outing at the third round of the Australian Manufacturers Championship over the weekend, running well within the top ten at the tight and twisty Morgan Park Raceway in Queensland.
After qualifying in sixth position, O'Donnell recorded a pair of sixth placed finishes before a tenth in the final event, along the way mixing it up with much more fancied opposition.
In the first race, O'Donnell had an early battle with the GT Falcon of Chris Delfsma, before a hectic run to the finish being sandwiched between the HSVs of Tim Sipp and Gerry Keogh, with only a few car lengths covering the trio at the chequered flag.
A fast start in the second race saw the BMW 130i leapfrog Garry Holt's BMW 335i in the early racing, running solidly in fourth position before Delfsma and Sipp made their moves.
In the reverse grid handicap final race, another swift start came unstuck after being caught out by Holt and the Mazda 3 MPS of Jake Camilleri at the first corner.
Matters weren't improved later in the race after contact from Keogh sent O'Donnell spinning wildly off the circuit exiting Siberia Corner, which relegated the BMW down the order.
Despite the disappointing finish to the third race, there were plenty of positives to come from the weekend for the GWS Personnel team.
"The plan for the weekend was to go out and compete well and finish all three races strongly, so from that perspective it was a success," said O'Donnell.
"The V8s really couldn't use their power advantage around Morgan Park, so it was good to be mixing it up with them.
"It was a bit frustrating in some sections to be quicker than them but still not having the grunt to get by on the straights, I think we were quicker than everyone coming out of the final corner.
"Morgan Park is a great little track, it took a bit to learn it even with the small car, but it was very interesting and enjoyable, the hospitality from being in a rural setting was very good, and we look forward to coming back next year.
"I really must thank Garry Mennell from On Track Motorsport for his efforts in preparing the car for the weekend, they always do a great job, and also Allan Shephard for making the trip up to Queensland, I look forward to having him back in a two-car team for the next round."
Unfortunately for team manager Allan Shephard, his BMW 130i is still being rebuilt after a heavy accident at the previous championship round at Eastern Creek.
"The team really stepped up this weekend, and showed that we can take the fight up to the V8s, and in the last race that without interference we are able to keep ahead of them," said Shephard.
"On Track Motorsport are working feverishly to get my car ready again, and I can't wait to get back out there at Oran Park."
Apart from the pair of BMWs, the GWS Personnel backed Toyota Celica may make an appearance with a yet to be announced driver at the Oran Park round, which is scheduled for August 29-30.
GWS Personnel and True Blue Motorsport would like to thank The Shire Conveyancer, Spinifex Australia, Rogue Lager and Briffa Smash Repairs for their continued support in the Australian Manufacturers Championship.
