Barklimore at TPCR

Round 1 of the 2007/08 NSW Super Sedan Series - Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway, October 20, 2007

Text and all images Copyright Graham Mison.
Round 1 winner Barklimore's Pontiac Grand Prix.
The 2007-08 Carline Mufflers NSW Super Sedan series kicked off at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway on October 20. The first of 8 rounds was convincingly won by Parkes NSW driver Tony Barklimore behind the wheel of his Pontiac Grand Prix.
Entries
An entry of 14 cars was received with 11 actual making it to the meeting. Last seasons champion, Paddy Ward, didn't nominate having other commitments. Bernie Roberts was another series regular that didn't nominate, however his #44 Carline Mufflers Commodore, now with VE body panels
Lachlan Onley, winner of Heat 2. Left click. 'Revvin' Ron Pyne suffered engine problems. Left click. Barry Towers gets Fusion power! Left click.
New look cars for Lachlan Onley (Left), Ron Pyne (Centre) and Barry Towers (Right).
was on show near the grandstand and was admired by many. The return of Ron Pyne was of much interest, the Newcastle #9 Pontiac Grand Prix looked a treat. Queenslander Gary Pagel drove for 13 hours to give his car a run at its second meeting.
Other Nominations were: Brett Hignett, Wayne Dick, Robet Carrig, Mick Hickey, Brett Smith, Barry Towers, Lindsay Barnes, Darrell McKeown, Lachlan Onley, Tony Barklimore, John Perkins, and Peter Renshaw. Smith, Barnes and McKeown were no shows.
Heats
Format for the Supers was 3x8 lap heats and a 15 lap final. Heat 1 went to Queenslander Gary Pagel in his near new Dodge Avenger in a comfortable win with Wayne Dick and Robert Carrig following him home.
Heat 2 saw Lachlan Onley score a victory in his new Mustang, Newcastle's Robert Carrig pushed him for most of the distance but then dropped back. Barklimore and Towers then chased him to the line.
Heat 3 fell to Wayne Dick followed by Barklimore and Pagel. Pagel and Onley had a coming together 3 laps in. 'Revvin' Ron Pyne had suffered mechanical dramas in the heats and would not start the Final, Hignett was the other non-starter.
The Shape Of Things To Come?
One of the best looking Super Sedans for many years. Click for a larger view.
Bernie Roberts displayed his new #44 Carline Mufflers VE Commodore. This is the first Super Sedan representing The General's 'Billion Dollar Baby'. Extremely well presented, the car is a stunner and bought nothing but good comments. But the question must be asked - are those flared guards legal? and if so, how long will they last?
The chassis may have done a few laps but the panels are a welcome new look. Click New style rear wing looks very business like. Click
You've gotta love those flares.
The Parramatta clayway was not in the best of condition for this meeting and the track staff had struggled to provide a good racing surface. By the time of the Fire Services Plus Super Sedan Main the surface had many ruts and turns 3 and 4 in particular had a number of deep furrows on the high line.
Final
Dick's 1st and a 2nd saw him start the final from pole with Barklimore to his outside, Pagel from P3, Carrig from P4 and then Perkins, Towers, Onley, Hickey and Peter Renshaw bringing up the rear.
At the green Dick kept his pole position into the first turn, Barklimore slid up high and back down track to form a close group with Carrig and Pagel. These 3 went into turn 3 locked together but further back in turn 1the blue and yellow #66 of Perkins had spun, this caused Onley to also spin bringing on the yellows. This was the first of a number of loops for Onley during the race.
At the restart it was Barklimore from P2 that got the better start and powered into the lead out of the second turn with Dick having to cover Carrig and Pagel, once again these 3 became the centre of interest. Barklimore took advantage of the battle behind him until another caution for a spun Onley, who had clashed with Hickey in the first turn. Hickey's car suffered some panel damage to the bonnet. Wayne Dick stopped at the start/finish
Supers at TPCR
Second meeting for Gary Pagel's new car. Left click.
Robert Carrig #N2. Left click.
John Perkins #N66, Flat rear tyre in the Feature. Left click for a larger image.
Micheal Hickey #N51, suffered some damage in the Feature. Left click.
Peter Renshaw #G89. Left click.
Brett Hignett #D76. Left click. (No dirt speedway without dust)
Wayne Dick #G7. Left click.
From the top: Pagel, Carrig, Perkins, Hickey, Renshaw, Hignett and Dick.
line to speak to officials, they checked the rear of his car and he rejoined the field. As the field exited the last turn for the third restart Onley looped it and came to a halt facing the wrong way. Some of the lose panel work on Hickey's car had blown off in the restart.

Another restart and again Barklimore began moving away from the field. The jostling for 2nd, 3rd and 4th was on again with Dick still holding the obviously faster Carrig at bay. This duel was the highlight of the night for the Supers with plenty of close running and occasional rubbing.
Carrig passed Dick into turn 3 around mid race distance but didn't get too far from the blue and white Monaro. Pagel was, at most times, glued to the rear bumper of the #7 and swapped from the inside to the outside trying to find a way around.
On the final lap Wayne Dick got a run on Carrig out of T2 and pulled level on the inside as they entered T3. Carrig's Commodore got out of the corner first as Dick's car went very sideways allowing Pagel to draw level on the inside into the main straight. The Queenslander crossed the line first in what looked a dead heat. (Right). Pagel just pipped Dick for second.
Tony Barklimore had taken the win some 1/2 a lap in front of this dice. Mick Hickey went over the line 5th with some damage to the front of his car. Barry Towers was home 6th with John Perkins getting a punctured rear tyre.
Carline Mufflers NSW Super Sedan Series Round 1: Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway, October 20, 2007. Fire Services Plus Super Sedan Main, 15 laps. 1st: Tony Barklimore, 2nd: Robert Carrig, 3rd: Gary Pagel, 4th: Wayne Dick, 5th: Micheal Hickey, 6th: Barry Towers.

Tony Barklimore may well have been singing "Oh! what a feeling"

Carline Mufflers NSW Super Sedan Series 2007-08
Points Table after Round 1
1st- Tony Barklimore #G63 173
2nd- Robert Carrig #N2 150
3rd- Gary Pagel #Q97 142
4th- Wayne Dick #G7 133
5th- Micheal Hickey #N51 108
6th- Barry Towers #N33 108
7th- John Perkins #N66 103
8th- Lachlan Onley #G17 98
9th- Peter Renshaw #G89 79
10th- Ron Pyne #N9 38
11th- Brett Hignett #D76 32
This was the first of only 2 appearances for the Super Sedans at Parramatta this season, their second show being on February 16 for Round 6. The series next heads to Gunnedah, where more cars are expected to join for Rd.2. Barklimore can expect some serious challengers to his points lead at the country NSW track as he attempts to go 1 better than last season and become the series champion.
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