Archived News (2011)
28th Nov 2011 - WDR AGM & Legends Dinner 2011
A combined AGM/dinner will be held this coming Saturday at the Point Walter Conference centre. AGM starts at 6pm sharp, with pre-dinner drinks around 7pm. Please email your RSVP to KY-Lee () using the attached forms. More info...
5th Oct 2011 - Hyden Humps 2011 Laptimes
Official laptime information is now available; plus some minor corrections to the results.
4th Oct 2011 - Hyden Humps 2011 Official Results
The ARB Alpha earthmoving Hyden Humps 2011 has seen an interesting shift in the traditional balance of tin tops and buggies in WA. 16 out of 27 starters were tin tops with 30% of the field wearing either a 7 or 8 prefix reflecting both the strength of the 4WD scene in WA and the attraction of the endurance format to the tin tops.
A busy day of racing got underway with the prologue over 7km of the smithy’s track. The Lucky 13 newly torque converter equipped Travis Robinson JIMCO got the weekend underway well with a time 21secs ahead of Keith Rance (54) and Craig Wells (198). First of the tin tops was Glen Ward in 10th position. Score 1 for the buggies with 9 out of the top 10.
As the cars gridded up for the 2pm start the question was what tactics would work for this new format? Would teams run till they dropped or take a more cautious approach? Some teams had planned specific fuel stops and even driver changes, while others in true off road style were planning only to not plan and take it as it comes.
From the outset it was clear Travis Robinson (13) planned to drive off the front and he left no doubt he would be impossible to catch unless he had problems as he set consistent 20 minute lap times from the outset. The completion of the first lap had Craig Wells (198) in second and Rex West (967) in third. 7 out of the top 10 were buggies as Keith Rance (54) succumbed to an engine failure. Lap 2 saw the buggy dominance continue as Steve Rawlings (412), Peter Doney (406) and Hugh Piercy (415) all stopped.
It was all action at the end of Lap 4 as a number of competitors all with similar lap times pitted for fuel; the officials in the fuel lane doing a brilliant job of sorting it out and getting them underway after their compulsory 15 minutes. Lap 4 saw the balance start to swing back towards the tin tops as the buggies of Brian Uren (115), Dave Hickey (57) - tree, George Metaxas (195) - front suspension and Annabelle Hoskings (392) - engine all dropped away. Laps 5 through 8 saw the second round of pit stops with action a plenty again in the pits. The tin tops suffered more blows in the form of the retirements of Dirk Van geest (430) - oil pressure, Ben Horn (569) - rear suspension failure and Russel Cullen (882) with teething problems as he was driving a borrowed car while he preserved his usual car for his assault on Goondiwindi in two weeks.
Around the 3 ˝ hour mark The buggy of Mal Yeardley (171) who had been driving consistently, with 8 laps around 24 minutes, broke a driveshaft and the buggy of Rex West (967) who was running in the top three with all of his eight laps within 45 secs of each other before stopping with an expired Subaru motor. Around 4 hours in the sun was setting and it was clear some were quite serious about their night vision as racks of spotlights turned night into day.
That left 9 tin tops in the last 14 who had completed 9 laps. Wayne Pommerenko (769) came through in the dark sounding very sick and did not make it past lap 9 before the Unbreakable HILUX broke. 12 of the remaining field of 13 ran their full time with Stephen Kettridge Hall (181) in his first race, Jon Beer (532) - consistent drive all day taking out first in Performance 2WD, Peer Horn (813) - solid as a rock in the Mercedes and winner of Extreme 4WD, Owen Davies (828) - troubles all day but kept at it, Chris Dawes (750) - flat tires all day and Terry Sellick (714)- getting his tenth lap in with 28 seconds spare, all completing 10 laps.
Greg Pickersgill (708) completed his 11 laps and managed seventh outright which was an absolute testament to his consistency. Jeremy Lia (220) notched up 11 laps and scored the SUPER 1650 win, was looking good for a podium, but could not go the full time before the screaming 1650 ran out of noise. Completing 12 laps and fifth outright was Jared Percival (119) who ran strong all day but a short late pit stop and a longer night lap pushed him off the podium. Also on 12 laps was Glen Ward (469) who did not go any slower in the night hours than during the day and was rewarded with 4th outright and first in Extreme 4WD. Others to excel in the night hours were Chris Dawes (750), Jason Galea (708) and Jeremy Lia(220).
Jason Galea (706) was a model of consistency all day with excellent strategy and fast night speed as he racked up 12 laps, First in Production 4WD and Third outright. Craig Wells was very fast early on and held on in the night laps to take out first in PRO Light and second outright. Travis Robinson (13) proved that outright speed serves you well in this format as he did not rush his pits taking more than the prescribed time but still managing put an extra lap on the field finishing with 13 laps, first in PRO Class and first outright.
The tin tops reliability and weight in numbers seemed to count in the end as the final score was 5 tin tops in the top 10 and 12 out of 19 classified finishers . Overall the competitors embraced the enduro concept and almost everyone seemed to enjoy the added spectacle of night racing. Western Desert Racers would like to thank all of the officials, volunteers, drivers, co drivers and pit crew for all working together to nail a great event first time out for the concept. Ideas are already flowing for another tilt at the concept some time in the future.
Jeremy Beck
President WDR
28th Sep 2011 - Hyden Humps 2011 Entry List
Posted the entry list for the upcoming (this weekend) Hyden Humps.
1st Sep 2011 - Hyden Humps 2011 Sup. Regs.
Western Desert Racers are pleased to announce the addition of Alpha Earthmoving as a club sponsor. Volunteers from Alpha Earthmoving and the Wagin motorcycle club spent 8 days grading and repairing the track at Smithy's place with a loader and track bobcat after the national round at Easter. The work was achieved before the all important rains and the track is in excellent condition. Without the help of ongoing sponsors and seeking new opportunities the club simply could not exist. The team at Alpha Earthmoving have come up with the goods and a week's use of machines and know-how simply cannot be measured in dollar value.
With the shifting of the long weekend for CHOGM till three weeks later, the traditional September Hyden Humps is on a normal weekend. In an effort to get the race done and dusted in the day and give people time to relax and not rush the trip home on Sunday we have taken on a new enduro format for 2011. The event gets underway with the usual reconnaissance and prologue but takes a different turn for the sections. There is to be only one section starting at 2pm on Saturday and finishing 6 hours later. It will be a test of car preparation and driver stamina. Competitors will be required to take fixed time fuel stops to ensure they are done in a controlled environment. This will result in competitors being on track for 5 hours. Dusk is at approximately 7pm at that time of year so as the last hour will be in the dark we have allowed an additional pit stop for the fitment of lighting. This is a great opportunity for competitors to get their crew involved in the race, you could even change over a navigator for a few laps!
Smithy's crop is looking the best it has for years and the complex is ready for a great race. So who will rack up the most laps? Will it be a pro class rocket ship or will a more conservative approach be the way to go? Either way it should be a test for man and machine and a great team effort to make the finish line.
Supp Regs are here and the entry form is here.
25th Jul 2011 - OBR Bound for Baroota
Round 3 of the Australian Off-Road Racing Championship will be on fresh ground come July 22-24th. The Bentley's Cabinpark Baroota 450 as it will be known is the brain- child of regular AORC competitor Hayden Bentley. One of the teams looking to take outright honours at the inaugural event is West Australian based team, Outer Bounds Racing. Read more here.
2nd Jun 2011 - OBR Determined For Desert Duel
In just one weeks time Alice Springs, Northern Territory will play host to Round 2 of the Australian Off Road Championship, The Tattersalls Finke Desert Race. 100 cars and 550 bikes will tackle some of the harshest terrain in the southern hemisphere in an all out dash to see who will be crowned, King of the Desert. One of the leading teams to tackle The Finke will be Perth based Outer Bounds Racing, with Travis Robinson and Paul Currie aboard the #13 Twin Turbo V6 powered Jimco with Beau Robinson and Adam Trewhella in the #85 Jimco. The team is no stranger to the Finke after qualifying 1st and 2nd at Finke in 2010 the boys are keen to put last year's disappointment behind them and string together a good run for both cars. "Last year at Finke was full of ups and downs, we won Prologue and Trav was second, but on race day after both of us leading through the first couple of checkpoints both cars didn't make it." stated Beau. "Hopefully we can have another good run in prologue and make it there and back.". Unfortunately round 1 of the AORC for 2011 was also very cruel to OBR, with Travis and Paul leading until an axle failure put them out 15km from the finish. "I think we will be ok this year, we have the cars sorted so there is not much else we can do, we just need a bit of luck to fall our way and we will have the perfect package." said Travis. "We were competitive at Hyden but it didn't turn out so well, we will be looking to make a point at Finke." The OBR team will be looking to beat one of the best fields in history, with 97 entries looking to take the King of the Desert Crown. The race itself will start on Saturday the 11th of June with a qualifying, on Sunday the 12th the cars will race south to Apatula (known as Finke) along the old Ghan Railway line in a 240km rough and rugged all out sprint. Then on Monday the 13th the crews will head back along the same track in reverse to the Finish in Alice Springs.
OBR fans can visit www.outerboundsracing.com.au to follow the Outer Bounds Racing Team's progress before, during and after the race with live reports and photos coming in from the track at Finke. Fans can also follow the team's progress on Facebook by clicking on the "Become a Fan" tab on the Facebook page. Also watch out for OBR's video series which will have coverage from each event on the official YouTube page at www.youtube.com/obr184 or follow the links on the OBR website.
Outer Bounds Racing is Proudly Supported by:
BFGoodrich Tyres - RR Developments - Mini Loads - Odin Hardware - Sporties - Shane Wilson - JP Signs - www.outerboundsracing.com.au
(Photographs thanks to Steve Bowes)
27th Apr 2011 - Fellows Wins Again
Reigning Australian Offroad Racing Champions, David Fellows and Mark Bergamin (#1) picked up where they left off at the end of 2010, winning their second consecutive ARB Pinjarra Engineering Hyden 450 in a time of 4 hours 40min 14.72 seconds. (More)
(Photographs and story thanks to Randall Kilner)
20th Apr 2011 - OBR Hyped to Hack Hyden Hoodoo
Perth based, Outer Bounds Racing returns to the 2011 Australian Off-Road Racing Championship this
Easter long weekend. The now two-car team has undergone some changes in the off-season in
readiness for an all out assault on the championship. Travis Robinson along with co-driver
Paul Currie and the second car with Beau Robinson and Adam Trewhella will each pilot Jimco Nissan
V6 Twin Turbo Pro class buggies.
The team spent some limited time testing recently and were happy with the progress the team has made
with the cars. "I can't wait to get to Hyden and start racing, it's been too long during the
off-season. The cars are ready, we have given them a quick run down the road to make sure
everything works so now its time to load them up." said Beau. "They are in great shape, we have
made a few minor changes but really they are pretty much the same."
The 2011 ARB-Pinjarra Engineering Hyden 450 will feature a Prologue along with a Top ten shootout on
Saturday the 23rd, with 4 laps of the 112km circuit on Sunday. The course features fast gravel
roads, rough rocky outcrops, technical bush sections, big jumps, gravel pits and much more.
"I can't wait for prologue, we have spent a heap of time getting ready so we will be looking to make a
point at Hyden to try and get some early points for the championship." stated Travis. Travis will
be co-driven by Paul Currie, the duo were second at this event last year in a V8 Jimco. Brian
Robinson will step into the team manager's role in a bid to help the team's championship attempt.
"Without the distraction of a 3rd car I believe the team should be better off in every aspect to go
out and get the job done." said Brian. "The boys and their respective cars are in great condition,
and I look forward to seeing them win some races this year." Check out OBR's Hyden Pre-Race video
here.
OBR fans can visit www.outerboundsracing.com.au to
follow the Outer Bounds Racing Team's progress before, during and after the race with live reports and
photos coming in from the track at Hyden. Fans can also follow the team's progress on Facebook
by clicking on the "Become a Fan" tab on the Facebook page. Also watch out for OBR's Video series
which will have coverage from each Event on the OBR YouTube
page or follow the links on the OBR website.
Outer Bounds Racing is Proudly Supported by:
BFGoodrich Tyres - RR Developments - Mini Loads - Odin Hardware - Sporties - Shane Wilson Race Engines - JP Signs - Jimco - www.outerboundsracing.com.au
14th Apr 2011 - ANZAC Day
For those of you who are heading to the Hyden 450 over Easter and would like
to attend an ANZAC service we have a number of racers heading to a service in town on Monday morning.
The service is run by the Hyden Progress Association and everyone is welcome.
ANZAC service 6.15am (sharp as car parking disrupts the service) Breakfast 7.00am $5/head Hyden
Memorial Hall Rose Garden (outdoor service).
For wreath laying or any enquiries contact Jane Mouritz - 0427 807 047.
Jeremy.
6th Apr 2011 - Hyden BusyBee
We need you!!! A working bee is planned for this weekend at HYDEN.
Jobs include track marking, finishing the revised bar area, making some new track areas and tiding
many older ones. Also a general tidy up and completion of some outstanding projects. We
need anyone who can come, so get in touch with Frenchy 0418 906 393 or email me
to register your interest and we will put you to work.
Cheers Jeremy
16th Mar 2011 - Off Road Racing Collector Cards
Hi to all,
I will start of by saying this is not a business venture for RacegearWA, just helping another small
WA business, a childrens charity and finally to bring the off road family even closer together..
If you are reading this, I request your assistance to help me turn this idea into reality. I have
spoken to some of you already about this and am interested in reaching out and getting all the top
running buggies in Aust down to the little Gemini still running in WA all equal all as important, signed up.
For those with other friends like all the 4x4 groups, the South Aust groups the gas dash boys does
not matter please forward on, it does not matter if someone gets the email 10 times. Raise it at your
club meetings, show it too others at racing events, print out the poster and spread the word, word
of mouth or in your next news letter.
This will help with growing the sport of Off Road and also hopefully a massive donation to charity.
This cannot happen without the help of key players in the Off Road Family. If not too much to ask
please fill in the form and join the growing list, all the proceeds from the auction will be going
to australian childrens charity.
Thank you for your assistance.
Attached is all the information
required to have your team cards handed out and swapped with your mates as early as Hyden.
Join in the fun and thank you in advance.
Regards,
Mal Yeardley
RacegearWA
0417 945 321
14th Mar 2011 - Hyden 450 Fuel Supply
A limited supply of BP Ultimate fuel will again be provided on site for competitors to use. This fuel must been pre-ordered/pre-purchased using this form, prior to 3rd April.
On the topic of fuel; there will be further regulations issued soon to avoid some competitors having to refuel during each section. Read advisory.
7th Mar 2011 - Hyden 450 Sup. Regs.
Supplementary regulations (and a heap of other stuff) for the first round of the AORC comp. for 2011, the ARB - Pinjarra Engineering Hyden 450 2011, have been issued. This event also constitutes the second round of the WAORC competition for 2011.
11th Feb 2011 - WDR Trophy Presentation
Calling all WDR friends,
On Friday 25th February, Western Desert Racers are holding our 2010 club presentation and legends
dinner at the Glengarry Tavern. It will be a night to recognize the performances of club members
during 2010. It will be also a night to celebrate what and who makes up our great club.
(more...)
Best Regards
Jeremy Beck
President WDR
In additon, Jez has supplied a calendar with most of the relevant WA offroad events for 2011. Have a look here.
27th Jan 2011 - AORC Vehicle Numbers
Dear Off Road Competitors,
The 2011 Australian Off Road Championship Registration and Competition Number form has been released.
Please find attached two versions of this document (PDF, DOC). The Microsoft Word version will enable you
to fill in the document in print form. The pdf form would need to printed and filled in manually.
This form will also be shortly available on the CAMS website (cams.com.au/en/Sport/Disciplines/Off_Road/AORC.aspx)
If you had purchased a competition number last year, the same number will be reserved for you until 12th March this year.
Further information regarding the 2011 Season, including the 2011 Sporting Regulations will be released shortly.
The form can be faxed, emailed or sent back to myself or the CAMS office address included on the document.
Kind Regards
Jos Roder ()
