Gascoyne Dash Race Report

On Wednesday the 27th the Flat Out Off Road Racing Team Transporter left for the long haul to Carnarvon to compete at the Gascoyne Dash. Whilst there was a slightly smaller then usual entry list in the Extreme 4WD class there was still big hype about this race. After several successful test runs and a good hit out at Mogumber we were excited to see how the big 80 would handle the riverbed with this being the first Gas Dash with the new shocks fitted. This event would also be my first attempt at the dash and first time navigating a full event for dad (Frank Galea)
On Thursday morning we unloaded the car and took it through the “bat cave” (a giant inflatable tunnel courtesy of Bat Racing) for scrutineering. As it would turn out a few of the Production 4wd Suzuki’s would not meet some of the eligibility requirements and would be moved into Extreme 4wd. After the drivers brief and leaving the car on display for the festival type atmosphere we took the car back and had a good nights sleep before prologue in the morning. For the first time the Dash prologue would be held at the racecourse (usually the finish line for the event) and after our first scout of the track it looked as if it would not suit the big 80 series. We set off for prologue with the stands packed with schoolkids and locals as Rusty Bell called out the action for all to hear. We had a reasonable run, not lightning quick, but good enough for 2nd in class behind Russel Cullen’s freshly repowered Patrol (now running a V8)

 

We then loaded up the race car and headed out to Coonantha to set up our home for the next 2 days. As the sun rose on Saturday morning we attended the drivers brief and readied ourselves for the 180km loop which would be the scheduled racing for Saturday. We set off just after the #799 car of Matt Hall and were having a good run, with some wide open stretches giving a chance to open up the big V8 and the King Triple Bypass Shocks ironing out the bumps. After around 25-30kms just as we were starting to get onto the back of Matt’s dust we would strike trouble as broken steering (snapped a sector shaft) caused us to head straight through a tree and out of the race. Fortunately the tree was quite brittle and didn’t damage the car any further, but nonetheless it was a hard hit.

As we were being recovered we quickly made plans to take the steering box off my road car and put it onto the race car in order to restart day 2. Once we had the box off my car, with the help of Lee Coupe we headed out to the stranded race car and replaced the box, enabling us to drive back into camp and check over the car for any other damage. We were not the only ones with issues however as Dad welded a hole in the radiator of Paul Kelly’s car which Randall and Markus would be driving the next day.

As Sunday morning came around we found that we had been seeded behind Russel Cullen who had a good run on Day 1 to lead Extreme 4wd over night. We took off the line and not long after had hauled in Big Russ and as we neared Lochies Knob passed the #234 buggy of Rod Barton and the #708 of Greg Pickersgill lay just ahead. Not long after passing Greg we caught and passed Matt Hall to be the first 4wd to drop into the riverbed. We had run the perfect first 40kms into the first checkpoint and were rapped with how the car was running. At Lyons South Lee and Linda would be waiting with powerade for hydration, fuel and tyre gauges to let the tyres down before the daunting riverbed run ahead. After a 15 minute break we set off again and immediately I was having difficulty navigating the river bed. The markers were space quite far apart and the drop offs were hard to pick if they were half a metre drop or double that. We passed a buggy that had stopped and then went past the protruck which was well and truly beached and did not look in any hurry to try and get out. We continued on down the river bed, which was mentally and physically tough as the temperature in the car rose. We made it to Rocky Pool first tin top on the road and were very happy as we gave the car a quick check over, refuel and pumped the tyres back up again.

We would leave Rocky Pool with 1 minute gaps to the cars in front and behind. Brad Cooper had issues and for whatever reason would be starting shortly after us. Barely 2kms in we heard a loud bang and had lost drive, rolling to the side of the track. Brad roared past as dad found 1st gear, but it turned out that we had lost 2nd gear. As we crossed the road we knew we would be in for a tough 110km’s home without second gear. As we pressed on flying through this incredibly fast section of the course, one of the newly cut in chicanes would catch us out as we would have a flat front left tyre. We stopped to change the tyre and Matt Hall would get back past us, with no other traffic coming by. We got back in the car and continued on, with one or 2 hairy moments including a wild ride coming off one of the salt flats and even hitting over 200km/h on a wide open run. Not far from the finish line we would pass the stricken 69 buggy of Gilbert who had been running in 2nd outright. After crossing the line as 2nd tin top to finish we would be happy with the result, but left wondering what could have been, with the speed of the car been well and truly proven on the testing Sunday race course.

Congratulations to all those who finished and all the winners. Massive thanks to Lee and Linda and also Mum who did an awesome job as pit crew. Thanks to the property owners, officials, volunteers, GORRC and all those who put on the event. Also thanks to our sponsors, FJG Engineering, Down South Motorsport, Ian Diffen Tyre Factory Joondalup, 4130 Clothing and The 4wd Shop
Cheers Jason