Best Racing competing at Winton, August 25, 2007.

bestracing · 15-08-2007, 12:51 AM

Hello Everyone,

Just thought I would drop a quick line to say Hello! and let you all know that we will be competing in the next round of the AMRS, Production Touring Car Championship being held at Winton Raceway, 25th August, 2007.

We will be competing in Class B, after much discussion with PTCC it has been confirmed that the focus, according to power to weight ratio fits in Class B, not Class C as previously. Class B has a large field, we are looking forward to racing at Winton, home track, it will be nice not having to travel. We have not competed here since 2004 and that was when the Focus was in its early development. It will be a busy weekend, with it being Darren's birthday and Ellexandra also racing go karts on the Sunday in Albury.

Confirmed entries at this stage are:
Class A
Searle...BMW130
Kelly.....BMW130
Willmington..Ford XR8
Otten...Alfa 156
Mork....Honda Integra R (possible)
(guess who?).....Commodore SS (possible)

Class B
Byers...380
McIntosh...Peugeot 206
Rheis...Peugeot 206
Fitspatrick....Renault Clio
Meideke........Tiburon
Coulter........Magna
Best............Focus ST170.

Class C
Lambrick......Proton GTI
Erler............Proton GTI
Harris..........Proton GTI.
Flanagan.......Sonata

If your at Winton, make sure you come and say Hi.

Treena

Trevor 57 · 15-08-2007, 08:23 AM

Good Luck Darren, unfortunately I won't be there.

photn · 15-08-2007, 09:36 AM

HAHAHA i will be in melbourne for the 25th. i might try and pop up for it. might see if i can bring couple of people along.

so guys.... when you ugrading to a XR5T hehehehe

Timmeh · 15-08-2007, 09:49 AM

Ah that's good news. I was just going through our old club galleries and wondering how you guys were going.

I'm not able to travel the large distance down to Winton but I really would like to hear how you guys go in your new class, and a handful of pictures would be fantastic! Our club members love hearing about your racing, and make sure you let us know when you are up in NSW as we're looking forward to attending.

Good luck and I look forward to hearing how you went (and hopefully a few photos)!

Regards, Tim

Ives · 15-08-2007, 11:31 AM

All the best for 25th August!

Fast Eddie · 15-08-2007, 02:55 PM

Is the (guess who) initials D.H.??? and send my best wishes to Neil, Ha! BTW I have just e-mailed you before I have read this thread!!!

bestracing · 16-08-2007, 01:05 AM

I will try and get some photos for you all.
Well Eddie yes DH is what I heard, guess we will have to wait and see.

Fast Eddie · 17-08-2007, 03:02 PM

Bingo! What's my prize???

bestracing · 25-08-2007, 10:54 PM

Well the birthday boy had a great day at Winton Raceway.
Best time 1.43.9 Qualifying finished 6th Outright and 2nd in class B to the Hyundai Tiburon with a time of 1.43.3.

Racing tomorrow 11.05am, 1pm and 3.35pm

Hope the team has a great day, the girls are go karting in Wodonga.

Regards Treena

Fast Eddie · 26-08-2007, 11:52 AM

Did you manage to get down there Sean? I think upgrading to a XR5 Turbo is easier said than done.

Timmeh · 26-08-2007, 01:02 PM

Great news, all the best to the team.

Timmeh

Timmeh · 26-08-2007, 04:24 PM

I got a message from Fast Eddie about Best Racings day.

In race one, the ST finished second, behind a Hyundai Tiburon V6. In race two, however, Darren hit a spinning Magna, nailing it in one of the doors with the Focus's front end. The Focus sustained major damage including damaging the entire front end, bonnet, windscreen, radiator and possible engine damage.

Looks pretty bad for the ST indeed, sorry to hear it guys.

Timmeh

FOCUSonTHIS · 26-08-2007, 06:13 PM

I think he should go through insurance :d Sad to see the ST like that....

photn · 26-08-2007, 10:48 PM

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOO

Seriously, THIS IS BAD!!!! nearly as bad as my crash, but this is way way way worse! it was an ST, My FAV one at that!

Guys, i hope darren is okay and did not sustain any major injuries.

I doo hope that the car is repairable and back on the road soon as possible :(

bestracing · 26-08-2007, 11:18 PM

Hi All,
Darren is fine apart from aches and pain. Yes the car is repairable but of course at an expense $$$$$$. The TV crew from Speedweek spent 30 minutes with Darren on Saturday conducted an interview and got lots of footage, stationary and mobile, in and out of the car and even with a hot air balloon in the background which was super! And of course they came to see him after the big crash. So the car should get a bit of coverage in Speedweek.

What happened ? The magna and a big spin as the result of a wheel coming off on penrite corner, Darren had nowhere to go other than straight between the passengers doors.

The girls had a great day go karting, Ellexandra finished 7th and no damage!

Treena

photn · 26-08-2007, 11:24 PM

Congrats to Ellexandra. i hope it doesnt hurt the bank toooooo toooooo much.

I feel for you guys. so much, as i can relate to having a big crash.

im sure he has, but be sure to get the aches and pains checked out, could be whip lash.

I hope you guys get back on your Feet Really soon.

*hugs all round*

Fast Eddie · 27-08-2007, 02:21 PM

This one DEFINITELY won't polish out!

Ives · 27-08-2007, 05:00 PM

Sorry to hear wat happen. I hope everything will get back on track soon (pun intended).

bestracing · 30-08-2007, 11:04 PM

Best Racing competed in Round 5 of the Australian Production Car Championship at Winton on the weekend.
It was the first time Best Racing had competed at their home track since 2004. Darren Best was supported by crew members, Frank Presser, Peter Heaney, Ross Batson, Darren Sparey, Treena Best and Gene O'Higgins.
Saturday was a special day for Darren who was celebrating his birthday, his children Ellexandra and Zakkary made sure everyone new it was dad's birthday as they proudly hung a poster above the garage doors.
Events on Saturday went smoothly with Practice and Qualifying. Best was pleased with qualifying 2nd in class behind the Hyundai Tiburon of Meidecke with a mere .6 difference. The team made some minor adjustments at the end of the day and were confident.

Sunday events things turned for Best Racing. Race One, Best was held up avoiding battles early in the race which meant Meidecke was able to creep away, so Best had to settle for 2nd place. Race Two, Reverse grid things did not go to plan, on lap two Best was making some ground through the traffic, when he found himself directly in front of a spinning Magna at Penrite corner with no where to go. Best hit the passenger side front door, resulting in severe damage to the whole front of the Focus, fortunately Eric Francis in the Magna and Best were both unhurt but it was not the same for there vehicles, which meant the end of weekend for both teams.

Attached are the heart breaking photos of the Focus after the accident with the Magna at Winton on Sunday Race 2 of the PTCC. There are photos of the Focus sitting on the trailer taken directly after its return to the pits and some photos of the Focus after dismantling has occurred ready for repairs in the workshop. The Focus is heading to the panel shop in the morning.

Don’t forget to watch Speedweek in a few weeks time to catch all the action.

Best Racing would like to say thank you for the support and well wishes we have received.

Regards
Best Racing
Ford Focus
#76

Timmeh · 30-08-2007, 11:30 PM

Thanks for the post, sorry for all the time money and hard work that will take to repair. That sucks!

I took the liberty of uploading the photos to our website so they can be displayed in full versions here, I hope you don't mind.

More to come

Timmeh · 30-08-2007, 11:31 PM

Timmeh · 30-08-2007, 11:32 PM

That's about them all. Pretty major!

Did anyone get any photos of the incident?

I'll keep an eye out for the series on SBS.

Timmeh

photn · 30-08-2007, 11:39 PM

Those pictures makes baby jesus cry! :'(

fordel · 30-08-2007, 11:45 PM

Ouch thats pretty nasty, sorry to hear that!.

Id offer to sell my ST for parts if it weren't being traded in on a new car already lol

bestracing · 04-09-2007, 08:41 PM

Just a quick note to let you know how things are progressing.

The Focus is at the panel shop and at this stage they have not commenced repairs but are gathering the necessary parts to fix it.

Next round of PTCC is at Calder Park, Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th September, we are attempting to be there.

We need to have the Focus returned to us by week ending 16th September so that we can rebuild and then test at Winton on 22nd September, so keep fingers crossed that all goes to plan.

Also PTCC now have a new website, vote for your favourite driver, check out the stats, participate in the forum, view series points, lap record holders, etc...... you can check it out at http://ptcc.ozspeed.net

regards Best Racing

photn · 04-09-2007, 08:54 PM

voted for darren.

Hope all goes well guys.

good luck.

Timmeh · 04-09-2007, 10:19 PM

All the best with the rebuild, hope you get the car back in time! Will be a massive effort.

Thanks for the website, will be good to keep track of the series and how you're going!

Regards, Timmeh

OZXR4 · 06-09-2007, 06:02 PM

That was a dam shame to see the car like it is. i hope you do get it out in time to be at calder as i will be there to see the action.

bestracing · 13-09-2007, 08:54 PM

Well repairs have commenced at the panel shop
Attached are some photo's fingers crossed that we get the Focus back in time in order to do the preparation and testing prior to Calder.
Treena

Fast Eddie · 14-09-2007, 01:14 PM

The damage does look very bad now that the car's been stripped. Hope it all goes well and as soon as you know when the coverage is on the t.v. please let us know.