Faber I.T. Rally Team

Walker Flat - South Australia
29th December 2005

Race Report

by Susan Haby

The weather was no deterrent this year for competitors and fans alike of the Mallee 1000 in 2005!!!

The day before saw competitors Aaron, Carl, Rowan, Andrew and Grash turn up at the Haby shed to make last minute alterations and paint jobs to their cars, or perhaps just to get them running again from last year’s event.

The 2004 winner, Pat was unable to defend his title, but the coveted M1000 trophy arrived and received its final pre-race polish.

On race day, in 30o plus heat, 8 brave competitors were a start for qualifying round. Drivers had one lap of the Haby track to prove their race skills. Carl posted an amazing time of 38 seconds in his Commodore running on the ‘Dumflop’ qualifiers, with Aaron & Dave the only others to get under the magic 40 seconds. The new cam in the HRT Commodore appeared to pay dividends for Carl. Nice and smooth appeared to be the way to attack the track.

Qualifying times were: C Haby – 38.6 sec, A Haby – 39.0, Dave 39.6, Rowan 41.1, Jon 41.1, Dhru – 42.5, Andrew 42.6, and Grash on 43.6 and Bicey with some water truck traffic on 43.3.

The grandstand proved to be a popular place for fans and family, a great way to beat the heat and see the whole track from an elevated position also a great way to enjoy your icy cold beer from a Mallee 1000 stubby holder (still available from Aaron $10).

Race 1 over 4 laps was run in a reverse grid saw Grash at pole position in his Mallee 1000 seasoned Torana alongside newcomer Andrew in his flashy 450 SE Mercedes, not sure if he makes the <$500 rule, guess it will just have to last a few years to make the rule stick. Drew was placed 3rd on the grid with his heavily sponsored Mopar, Old No. 7, Dumflop Valiant. Third row saw Jon driving his flashy new ‘Big Kev’ Falcon, which was unmistakable orange on the track. Rowan was a no show, I think the heat may have been a factor or psyched out? Hope he makes the next one.

Andrew had a great start getting the Merc to the first corner in first place over Grash, Jon made up some pace in the race quickly and moved to second spot, the race also saw C Haby move up the field quick and chasing the lead, but perhaps the biggest spill of the race, was Andrew’s automatic Merc stalling on the 2nd to last corner of the race, Carl taking the lead and Jon riding the high side into the paddock, to avoid the stranded Mercedes, losing a lot of ground, finally correcting his maneuver only to end up into the next bank coming into the final straight finishing him in last place.

1st C Haby, 2nd A Haby, 3rd Dave

The 2nd race was run according to placings in the last race, racing was tight right throughout the race, with a lot of front/rear end carnage in the middle of the race. Drew was a DNF with clutch failure but fortunately for him it may be what kept his car straight in the end. This race saw Bicey (sub for Andrew) retire the Merc after the car was shortened at both ends and holing the radiator.

1st A Haby, 2nd C Haby, 3rd Jon

After lunch we saw a late entry arrive for Race 3. Doc with his Castrol Commodore, with an impressive qualifying round of 39.7 he was ready to race, which also saw the return of Rowans VIP Pet Foods Statesman. Doc was all class taking out the race in his well presented car!

1st Doc, 2nd C Haby & 3rd Rowan

The fourth & fifth race unfortunately I have no report, I was taking a well earned break from the dust and the heat but there sure was a mixed bag of results.

1st C Haby, A Haby & Doc & 5th race 1st Rowan, Jon & Dave

Another favourite, the VB Challenge was run, with two cars pitted against each other from a standing start weaving through cones away from each other and back again. The heavier cars suffered but fun was had by all.

Well done to Dave who took home the trophy, the commodore sure looked a treat and the trophy sure goes to a deserving winner.

The day wasn’t complete without the burnout pad getting a workout, thanks to the ‘pit crew’ for the knowledge of containing under bonnets fires on Jon’s car, will we see it again, well there is a whole year to fix it!!

Thanks once again to Aaron, Carl, Phil and their families for their time, earth equipment, land and hospitality, it is a great way to enjoy the cars and keep the racing fun and on the track, well done!!