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Two times SRA Series Champion Mike Van Bremen had his first race in close to a month on Saturday night (February 10) in the Victorian Open Championship at Warrnambool’s Sungold Stadium-Premier Speedway and he admitted it was a “rusty, but solid night†of competition.
“I felt like I haven’t raced for weeks at the Victorian Title, which is true, it’s been a month since I raced and I could feel it, †Van Bremen acknowledged.
With the Premier Speedway track at its quickest, ‘The Flying Dutchman’ still managed to finish in eighth position after starting 11th the 30-lap feature event.
Van Bremen said after the race that he should have moved to the highline earlier on in the race to pass some more cars.
“It was a solid result, but nothing more. Once we got on top of the car set up, we were pretty good, but I didn’t move to the high line quick enough in the final.
“I spent 25 laps on the inside following Allan Haynes until I passed him on the outside, so I wish I had of went to the top earlier in the race, †he said.
With well over three weeks rest from racing duties, the lightning fast Premier Speedway, which played a role in turning some cars upside down, was a less than ideal track to race on with a lack of seat time.
The larger 372 engine was strapped in, which helped the Action Blast Cleaning / CSR Methanol Maxim move forward in the two qualifying heat races to finish third and fourth. This was an impressive recovery for Van Bremen after a dreary lap in time trials placed him 18th quickest.
“We can certainly say that we moved forward in all of our races, which is always taken as a positive, †said Mike.
“The bigger 372 engine was strapped in appropriately for the track we raced on and we will probably keep it in for the rest of the season as we race at Moama twice and Warrnambool again, †he added.
Although recently the MVB Racing team has had a lack of racing time, come next month everything will be on the line for six rounds of the SRA Eureka Garages and Sheds Super Sprint Series.
The tough schedule is making sure all of the SRA regulars prepare suitably, including the Van Bremen team.
“It seems like it will be a tough month with six race meetings, that’s pretty huge for us Victorians.
“Really, there is still half of the series remaining and anything can happen. I need feature wins and consistent podium results to finish in the top three of the series, †Van Bremen stated.
The first of the final six rounds of the Victorian based series will be on March 3 at Moama’s Heartland Raceway.
