Phillip Island PIARC Supersprint 18th July

With a long break between NSW supersprint rounds, Mark Lowing and Campbell Wilson decided to take the MNR's to Phillip Island. This was a first time experience for both of them, and the Victorian track's high speed character has left a lasting impression.

Another first was the chance to try the Vortx's on R-spec tyres rather than the usual slicks. This made the event more of a test session, and the information gained has provided a valuable base line set up for NSW SVA regulations.

Typically cold, windy and eventually wet, Mark's 1:47.27 lap saw him fastest clubman on the day with and average speed of just under 150kph. At nearly 12,500rpm on the main straight the Vortx was v-maxxing at around 235kmh, while a tailwind in a later session had the revs and speed creep up a fraction more! Finishing second was Sydneysider Leigh Hemmings at 1:50.7 with Victorian Jonathon Stoeckel's Westfield claiming third with a 1:53.58. Campbell, battling a slipping clutch, just missed out on a NSW trifecta, one tenth behind the Westfield at 1:53.69. 

Another first timer to the Island was Mark's dad John, and his 1:58.39 was a great effort in his second only motorsport outing. Unfortunately the rain arrived for John's session and an off in slippery conditions saw a damaged Vortx being loaded for a long drive home. The good thing is John is fine, and the suspension took the brunt of the impact, leaving the chassis intact. An easy fix.  

Plans are already being made for a return trip, and with a few more tweaks even faster times.

Wakefield Park Supersprint 20th June 

Round 6 of the NSW Supersprint Championship saw us back in Goulburn, and despite the wintery conditions some long held records took a battering.

There is no stopping Andrie Tan and his Radical SR8 with another win. His 57.19sec lap putting him well down the road from Marek Tomaszewski's R35 GTR (61.34sec) and Duncan Forrest's similar R35 GTR (62.54sec).

4th outright, and the quickest Clubbie, was Mark Lowing in his MNR Vortx. His 63.83sec lap also secured 1st place in class 5D. But a clutch problem put paid to beating his previous best and breaking through the elusive 63.0sec barrier. Campbell Wilson's 65.7sec time placed him third in class 5D and tenth outright. Mark and Campbell are heading to Phillip Island in July for their first run at the iconic circuit. It should be quite a sight to see the Vortx RT+'s stretch their legs on the Island's long straight.

Redback Motorsport customers Alan Swinton and Leigh Hemmings brought some added excitement to the day, fighting it out for the SVA lap record.

Leigh was first to claim the title. His 66.75sec dipping under the long standing 66.9 of Dave Mackie. Just when it looked secure Alan Swinton in his Arrow SEi clipped a couple of tenths of Leigh's freshly minted record, taking it to 66.50sec. Will we see a sub 66.0sec lap next time?

Wakefield Park Supersprint 5th June

It was back to Wakefield Park for the NSWRRC supersprint, and a chance to get away from the torrential rain in Sydney.

Outright honours went to Andrie Tan in his Radical SR8 with a 57.87sec lap, with the R35 Skylines of Duncan Forrest and Marek Tomaszewski taking out 2nd and 3rd, running comfortably in the mid 62's. Next was Mark Lowing in his MNR Vortx finishing fourth outright and first in class 5D with a 63.6 lap. His quickest this year.

Campbell Wilson's black and white Vortx (nicknamed "Pandamonium") came home 3rd in class and 8th outright with another personal best of 65.1sec. Taking nearly half a second of his previous best.

Competing in his first ever motorsport event was John Lowing, sharing son Mark's Vortx. His 68.8 lap time put him ahead of some experienced campaigners and only 1/100th's behind Dave Banbury in the supercharged Amaroo clubman.

With the closure of Oran Park the trek to Wakefield is becoming a routine event, and June 20th will see us return to the Goulburn track for round six of the CAMS NSW Supersprint Championship. 

It's been a hectic couple of month's at Redback. April saw us busy moving into a new workshop, and it's amazing how many "things" you can collect and not see for years.

To help christen the new shop the Clubman Driver's Club of Australia held a Sunday breakfast/meeting, with all funds raised from the sale of breakfast goodies going to Cystic Fibrosis New South Wales. With a great turn out of clubbie owners and friends we raised an incredible $600.00, so a big thanks to all of you for making it a fantastic day. "Presto" had to be just as quick on the coffee machine as he is on the track to keep up with the orders!

May 2nd saw us at Wakefield Park for Round 3 of the CAMS NSW Supersprint Championship. A typically chilly Goulburn morning made for a less than ideal track in the early sessions, but by mid morning the cool dry conditions made for some quick times. In the end it was Andrie Tan in his SR8 Radical taking out overall honours with a 57.73 sec. lap. MNR drivers Mark Lowing and Campbell Wilson finished 6th and 12th outright, with Mark's 63.84 lap quick enough for a win in class 5D, while Campbell's 65.57 sec. lap, another P B, placed him 3rd in class, just two tenths behind Albert Palmer's Cheetah F3 car.

Club Lotus Australia held their monthly meeting at the new shop and it was great to have another group of "add lightness" enthusiasts around for a chat and look over the MNRs.

It was back to Eastern Creek on May 16th for Round 4 of the championship and with 112 entries the supersprint scene keeps going from strength to strength. This time around we were joined by a few of the NSW Sports Sedan contingent, and the big V8s made their presence felt! Chris Jackson's Calibra V8 good for 1:36.39 lap, but still nowhere near quick enough to catch Andrie Tan's Radical SR8 time of 1:31.89.

For the first time all three MNR's were at the same meeting, with Adam Savic joining Mark Lowing and Campbell Wilson. Mark's lap of 1:42.76 was just quicker then his previous best and good enough for 8th outright and first in class. Campbell survived some early niggles to take out 18th overall and 4th in class, his 1:45.1 chopping almost two seconds off his previous best. On the last lap of the day Neil de Pau's Radical 1300 edged out Campbell by just 1/100th sec. to take third in class. Adam Savic was having his first run at the Creek and his 1:46.77 lap was an impressive result finishing well up the time sheets for 23rd outright.

June 5th will see us back at Wakefield Park where the Goulburn's winter weather should have some real bite.

It's been a busy start to the new season for us. A trip to Autosport International in January meant we had to miss the last ever supersprint at Oran Park, so we didn't get a chance to say goodbye to the iconic Sydney circuit. Fortunately Campbell Wilson and Adam Savic were there to fly the MNR flag, gaining valuable race miles in an unusually early, and very hot, start to the season.

Round 2 of the NSW Supersprint Championship was held at Eastern Creek on March 7th . This saw Mark Lowing's recently imported Vortx R1, complete with UK sponsor logos, take to the track in its maiden local event. In the end it was a great result for Mark and Campbell Wilson in their MNR's, finishing 1st and 2nd in the Clubman group.

Mark's 1:42.77 was good enough for 5th outright, but no match for Andrie Tanuwidjaja's phenomenal Radical SR8 which was over ten seconds ahead, winning the day with a stunning 1:30.4.  Second and third were the Nissan R35 GTR's of Duncan Forrest (1:41.08) and Marek Tomaszewski (1:42.2) with 4th place Jason Wright's WRX STi only 1/100th quicker than the Vortx with a 1:42.76.

Campbell's 1:46.9 in the 07 R1 powered Vortx was a PB and placed him 13th outright.

Once again the Vortx's punched above their weight, and with the next round at the tight and twisty Wakefield Park in early May, the R35's may not have as big an advantage. 

While this year has been one of our busiest Presto's work commitments have kept him away from the driver's seat. His only appearance for 2009 netted another outright win at Wakefield Park ahead of Michelle Guyer's March 87B Formula Holden.

At short notice ex Formula Ford driver Mark Lowing stepped into the Vortx at June's round of the State Supersprint Championship. With only a few laps around the car park to learn the car Mark's fastest lap of 67.1 was enough to earn 10th outright, and the fastest clubman. Very impressive.

2009 has been very good to us with a NSW State Championship round win, also at Wakefield Park, for Kyle Wood in his Van Diemen Formula Ford. Kyle had been away from the sport for two years, completing his university studies. In his only race meeting of the year he secured pole position and three race wins, totally dominating the weekend. Unfortunately a lack of funds meant this was to be a one off drive.

Our historic Formula Ford customer, Tim Berryman, has also had a great year in his 1983 Reynard. Since the first meeting at Phillip Island Tim has consistently run at the front of the field. His perserverance paid off mid year at Wakefield Park where he took his maiden win in the category. Only a couple of weeks ago at Sandown Park Tim qualified on the front row and went on to secure three podium finishes.

Our infamous orange Vortx has now gone to a new home with Sydney driver Adam Savic. Adam has already contested some supersprints and is showing great form.

Adam's won't be the only MNR on the grid next year. Well known supersprinter Campbell Wilson has purchased a Vortx RT+ powered by a 2007 Yamaha R1 engine. In its distinctive black and white colour scheme the car has earned the nickname "Pandamonium" in the workshop.

Mark Lowing has a similar car on the way from the UK which will strengthen the MNR 2010 supersprint line up.

After a recent trip to the factory we are currently working through some options for next year which might see something very special in the shop for 2010.

July saw the team head to Victoria's Winton Raceway for a round of the MSCA sprint series. Always a favourite track from our openwheeler days, the weather was as expected. Wet and cold. At least it gave Presto a chance to try some wet weather set up. From the first lap he had the Vortx well ahead of the opposition, the MNR pumping huge rooster tails of water behind it. In the final session the weather had cleared enough for a dryish line to appear. Not wanting to risk the wets, Presto headed into the pits for some slicks. Pitstops aren't usually a part of supersprinting, so everyone pitched in to get the car back out. It was worth it, the Vortx retaining fastest time of day with a 1.30.8.

Our next run in November at Wakefield Park saw another FTD and the Vortx's quickest official lap at the track of 62.8 sec. This looked promising for the National Supersprints later in the month at Eastern Creek.

The innaugral CAMS National Supersprint was closer in feel to an open race meeting, with a healthy contingent of interstate competitors. Strong winds did their best to slow the Vortx on the long straight, but in the end Presto and the Vortx claimed 3rd outright against some very strong opposition. A great result to cap off 2008.