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Round six of the BNT V8’s saw the Dale Williams Racing Team and the Rayglass Falcon assemble at the Taupo circuit for the final round of the 2009/2010 season.
Things didn't start well for the Dale Williams Racing Team. The car was playing up for the entire first day with major electrical issues, so never even managed to complete a timed lap in Qualifying.
The team worked late into the night, finishing about 2am Sunday morning, all but completely rewiring the Rayglass Ford Falcon V8's electrical systems. Unable to get the Falcon running correctly in time before Race 1, Dale was unable to race, but the team was pretty confident they could have the car ready in time for Race 2.
Progress at last! The team managed to get the Rayglass Falcon running again and Dale was on the grid for the start of Race 2, but as he team hadn’t made it to the start of Race 1 Dale had to start at the end of the field, 27th on the Grid. Dale got a great start and managed to get past four or five cars off the start but had to take to the grass on turn two to avoid and incident that was unfolding mid pack. During Dale’s time on the grass, the grill at the front of the car filled with grass causing the engine temp to rise to levels that could end up cooking the engine. Dale had to pit so the team could clear all the grass and dirt from the grill to enable the Rayglass Falcon to make it to the end of the race. Dale rejoined the pack back in 24th position. Dale had a great drive to the end of the race to finish in 19th. Looking at the timesheet after the race the team found out that they had set the 9th quickest lap.
Wow, what a finish to a turbulent weekend! Dale and the team had to think long and hard to come up with a setup that was going to work for the last race of the season having not been able to collect much setup data from the weekend so far and not having race the Rayglass Falcon on the Taupo circuit before. Leaving the pit garage and heading for the starting grid saw the first incident of the race where another competitor didn’t see Dale driving down pit lane and somehow managed to drive straight into the side of him. The team had to scramble and make some running repairs on the warm up lap before even lining up for the start of Race 3. Dale started 3rd on the grid and drove a great race, quickly taking the lead, and staying there for almost the whole race.
Almost! Mid way through the last lap Dale was passed by Craig Baird putting Dale into second place. Heading into the chicane for the last time in the race Dale was on the outside, three wide when he was collected and spun onto the grass. By the time Dale rejoined the track he crossed the finish line in 11th position.
It was a great end to Round 6 nonetheless, and the Team should be congratulated for the hard work and determination they've shown in getting the car out on to the track, and for a time at least, out into the front of the pack. The sixth and final round of the season resulted in the Dale Williams race team finishing the round back in 20th position after a disastrous start to the weekend. Dale ended up 15th equal in the NZ BNTV8 championship.
If you didn’t get the chance to see Race three it is well worth finding the time to see the action from TV3 on demand:
Race 3 Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
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