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Lake Gairdner Speed Trials - 2007
5th - 9th March 2007
The event was offically cancelled at 10:30PM on Friday 2nd March 2007.
This was due very high water content of the salt over the most of the track. Also the only access point to the lake was unsuitable for all but light vehicles.
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From the Webmaster
this has been my first opportunity to update the page as I've only just returned last night.
It was with a great deal of reluctance that the 2007 DLRA Speedweek was cancelled, but it there was no alternative.
The rains that fell in January were of such a volume that they were later to be classified as a "once in fifty year event". Inspections were made as often as possible from the air and the lake edge and once water had subsided there were several more inspections of the surface itself in the weeks leading up to the event.
There had been water on the surface of the lake in previous years and the event was still able to be run and this was thought to be another of those years. Last year (2006) there was up to a foot of water on the track on the Monday, but the track was usable by the Wednesday.
What makes this years lake different is that whilst there is a salt surface on the top of the lake, there is a layer of mud and debris under this 1" crust which a couple of inches thick and very soft, under that is the thick hard salt the we are familiar with. Along the track there were areas where this crust had hardened, but others where it was quite soft and easy to break through. It will be some time before a strong consistent hard surface returns.
The DLRA would like to recognise that large number of racers who made the trip out to the salt, even after they knew the event was cancelled. Especially the Gail Phillips / Doug Odom and Keith Turk teams from America. There was a record 72 pre-entrants and 2007 was set to become a very big event, had it run.
Rod and Carol spent about 4 hours Saturday morning contacting the pre-entrants and a notice was also posted to the DLRA forum. Frustratingly many had given incorrect contact details, so were late in receiving this advice, but this was obviously not the fault of the DLRA. (Entrants please consider this when you next complete your form. Also another good reason to pre-enter). Remember the isolation factor here, there is only one satellite phone at the camp and it did not stop ringing for the rest of Saturday. Also due to the ternary of distance many racers had already left, remember its 2 and a bit days from Sydney and 3 or more from Queensland! So many had left on the Wednesday or Thursday.
There was a General Meeting and AGM held on the Sunday at 3:00pm and then the auction about 9:00pm. which raised some money, but nothing like previous years. Animal even ran another auction on the Monday night for those that still turned up. There was a working bee at the ramp on to the salt where the level of soil was raised and extended out further onto the lake. Thanks to Len for the use of the loader and all those who helped.
We've all lost out in different ways and to different extents, but the DLRA needs your support now more than ever, in the coming days I will update the merchandise page for the goods that were available this year. Get in a help support the DLRA by buying up big and ensuring dry lakes racing in Australia for many years to come.
As usual there will be a Rod's Ramblings and a Presidents report to follow soon. We will also be trying to get a newsletter out as soon as possible. Keep watching this page as it will be updated often over the next couple of weeks.
Out of respect to the 72 pre-entrants and those competitors who still turned up even thought the event was cancelled a list will be show here once the information is compiled.
| Driver |
No. |
Vehicle |
Class |
MPH |
Record |
| Steve Atwell |
675 |
1980 Chev Camaro |
F/CC |
|
|
| Robert Benson |
660 |
1982 Commodore |
/PRO |
|
|
| Colin Berry |
648 |
1989 Yamaha TZ250 |
|
|
|
| Roger Biddlestone |
656 |
1982 Ford Utility |
|
|
|
| Robert Bishop |
422 |
Special Construction Motorcycle |
APS/BG 3000 |
|
|
| Barry Blacksell |
637 |
1984 Corvette |
|
|
|
| Alan Blackwood |
671 |
1999 Triumph Sprint ST |
P/ |
|
|
| Derrick Borgas |
335 |
1980 XD Falcon |
AA GALT |
|
|
| Andre Bosman |
631 |
2007 Yamaha R1 |
P/P1000 |
|
|
| Michael Bowden |
360 |
1972 Holden Statesman |
B/PRO |
|
|
| Norman Bradshaw |
295 |
1996 Ford Mustang |
B/BGC |
|
|
| James Bragg |
667 |
1986 Harley Davidson |
|
|
|
| Peter Briese |
630 |
1932 Alvis Speed 20 |
|
|
|
| Chris Bryson |
624 |
1999 Suzuki Hyabusa |
|
|
|
| Mike Bulluss |
659 |
1982 Commodore |
/PRO |
|
|
| Mark Burrows |
587 |
2006 Special Construction bike |
APS-VG |
|
|
| Graham Cain |
249 |
1972 LJ Torana |
D/GC |
|
|
| Graeme Cederblad |
613 |
2006 Polini Replica Bike |
P/P50 |
|
|
| Trevor Clare |
139 |
Special construction bike - V8 |
A/PG4400 |
|
|
| Terry Coles |
645 |
1986 Harley Davidson |
P/PG |
|
|
| Phil Cvirn |
135 |
1964 HD Shovel |
M/PS |
|
|
| Jerry Davies |
420 |
30's Speedster |
F/SPD |
|
|
| Graeme De Courcy Cann |
336 |
2004/05 Lakester |
H/GL |
|
|
| John Dent |
253 |
1968 Ford Mustang |
A/GC |
|
|
| Mark Dunn |
212 |
1975 HJ Holden Wagon |
C/GC |
|
|
| Max Ellery |
510 |
1988 Holden Commodore |
|
|
|
| Bob Ellis |
202 |
1966 XP Falcon Coupe |
G/CC |
|
|
| Raymon Flaherty |
639 |
1932 Ford Roadster |
|
|
|
| Alan Fountain |
423 |
1950 Lakester Belly tank |
A/FL |
|
|
| Craig Fountain |
424 |
1950 Lakester Belly tank |
A/FL |
|
|
| Cec Fraser |
408 |
2002 Yamaha TTR |
P/PG |
|
|
| David Freiburger |
673 |
1980 Chev Camaro |
G/CC, F/CC |
|
|
| Norm Golgerth |
250 |
1972 LJ Torana |
D/GC |
|
|
| John Gower |
632 |
1959 Milano |
/MS |
|
|
| Scott Greenham |
666 |
Yamaha |
|
|
|
| Rod Hadfield |
3 |
1929 A Model Ford Roadster |
G/MR |
|
|
| Chris Hanlon |
251 |
1965 Falcon |
C/M UTE, C/FM UTE |
|
|
| Kathryn Hanlon |
658 |
1965 Falcon Ute |
C/M UTE, C/FM UTE |
|
|
| Martin Hicks |
439 |
1980 Suzuki GS 1000 |
M/PSBF1350 |
|
|
| Derek Hogg |
563 |
2004 Kawasaki 2X10-R |
|
|
|
| Kieron Horey |
574 |
1983 Kawasaki 21100 |
M/PSG 1350 |
|
|
| Adrian Hunt |
342 |
1981 Commodore |
E/PRO |
|
|
| Darryl Hunt |
93 |
1981 Commodore VC |
E/PRO |
|
|
| Terry Ings |
565 |
1966 Triumph |
Special Construction |
|
|
| Jeffrey Jones |
561 |
1981 Toyota Corolla |
H/PRO |
|
|
| Joel Jones |
562 |
1981 Toyota Corolla |
H/PRO |
|
|
| Alan Laing |
603 |
1975 Chev Monza |
G/ALT |
|
|
| Jake Laing |
604 |
1975 Chev Monza |
G/ALT |
|
|
| Milton Lewis |
571 |
1964-5 Special Construction |
SCA/PG1350 |
|
|
| Shane Lewis |
451 |
1972 Holden Statesman |
B/PRO |
|
|
| Will Lockwood |
382 |
1997 Thunderbird |
C/GALT |
|
|
| David Lowe |
369 |
2004 SLR MK 1 |
D/GL |
|
|
| Geoffrey Lugton |
654 |
1932 Alvis Speed 20 |
|
|
|
| Jeremy Mantello |
628 |
1991 Van Diemen RF91 |
Lakester |
|
|
| Geoffrey Marden |
337 |
2002 Suzuki GSXR1300 |
MPS1650 |
|
|
| Dave McLachlan |
444 |
2003 Yamaha R1 |
APS/G 1000 |
|
|
| Philip Medlen |
401 |
1927 Ford T Roadster |
|
|
|
| Leo Monahan |
271 |
1972 LJ Torana |
D/GC |
|
|
| Colin Moore |
294 |
1972 LJ Torana |
D/GC |
|
|
| Brian Payne |
662 |
2002 Kawasaki ZX 12R |
MPS/G |
|
|
| Christop Peers |
586 |
1996 Holden Astra |
|
|
|
| Synon Peers |
669 |
|
|
|
|
| Gail Phillips |
254 |
Streamliner |
C/GS B/GS C/FS B/FS |
|
|
| Terry Prince |
280 |
1955 Vincent |
SC/MVF 1300 |
|
|
| Nick Rees |
640 |
1932 Ford Roadster |
|
|
|
| Jamie Regan |
581 |
1982 Commodore |
/PRO |
|
|
| Paul Schilling |
615 |
Lakester |
|
|
|
| Evelyne Scholz |
443 |
2003 Yamaha R1 |
APS/G1000 |
|
|
| Allan Scott |
473 |
1950 Lakester Belly tank |
A/FL |
|
|
| Allen Shephard |
594 |
1962 E Type Jaguar |
|
|
|
| Phil Shephard |
642 |
1962 E Type Jaguar |
|
|
|
| Donald Shields |
627 |
2006 Kawasaki ZX14 |
Production |
|
|
| Ron Stayt |
178 |
2002 Kawesaki 2 x 12R |
1350 MPS/G 1350 M/G |
|
|
| Paul Stubber |
584 |
1969 Chev Camaro |
B/GC |
|
|
| Keith Turk |
674 |
1980 Chev Camaro |
F/CC |
|
|
| Tonya Turk |
672 |
1980 Chev Camaro |
G/CC |
|
|
| Graeme Turner |
346 |
1980 XD Falcon |
AA/GALT |
|
|
| Lindsay Urquhart |
638 |
1923 British Alzani Temple |
|
|
|
| Steven Vorwerk |
343 |
1950 International Truck |
UDT |
|
|
| Rob Warren |
606 |
2001 DRB GT40 Coupe |
|
|
|
| Ian Wheatley |
425 |
1950 Lakester Belly tank |
A/FL |
|
|
| Steven White |
507 |
1927 T Model Ford |
|
|
|
| Dave Wilkes |
661 |
1982 Commodore |
/PRO |
|
|
 Competitors Camp Saturday afternoon |
 47ºC so most were under shelter |
 Radio Satellite Phone Tower, the only link to the outside world |
 Trevor Beck rounding up the troops for a trip to the salt for an inspection |
 Now here's a body style Ford never thought of. Note esky full of life saving fluids in case they get "lost" |
 General meeting in the Shearing Shed on the Sunday afternoon |
 The old shed was packed |
 with many forced to sit outside |
 Rod transported Keith Turks Camaro out to the salt |
 It was only started once in Australia; Rod's garage back in Castlemaine |
 Interior of Camaro |
 Here's Dave from Hot Rod Magazine in the black cap and Keith talking to Bob Ellis |
 Saturday afternoon, the tracks been packed up and the bench racing is in full swing |
 The auction was held on the Monday night, Animals holding a Moon Cap from the Keith Turk Camaro |
 As usual there were plenty of laughs along the way |
 bidding was very generous from what was always going to be a smaller crowd than normal |
 Here you can see the track of mud leading from the ramp left by the few cars that did get on the salt. |
 Panning further up to about the 2 mile, you could see the darker patches of wet salt |
 Looking up towards the islands, mmmm. |
 the ramp has now a lot more dirt reaching further out onto the salt, hopefully making it better and easier for next year |
 Looking back up to the canteen |
URL http://www.dlra.org.au/2007.htm
© 1997 - 2006 Dry Lakes Racers Australia - All rights reserved
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