On Saturday night at Ballarat’s Redline Raceway lady Formula 500 racer Kate Searle put in a stunning effort to qualify out of position two in just her fifth meeting. Although the night ended on a sour night, the ABC Realestate Racing Team has a buzz of excitement with both Sprintcar driver Simon Amato and Kate set to head west to contest a number of big meetings.
Searle headed to Redline Raceway with no great expectations, however after three heats the team was pleasantly surprised to learn that the ABC Realestate v86 entry had qualified for position two in the 20-lap final.
It was also Searle’s first A-Main in just her fifth meeting behind the wheel of the F500, which made the qualifying result even more special.
“It was a bit of a shock to see that I was starting on the front row, †said Kate. “I’m usually searching to see my number either at the back or not in the final. â€
With a talented line up of cars for the final, Searle had a car to finish inside the top five. The dream night, however, came to an end when she was racing in second when “something†broke leaving her stranded in turn two.
“We are not to sure what happened to be honest, the rear arm broke and the chain spat out, which did some damage, †said Searle, continuing, “There was a loud noise and in the end a bit of everything has broken, it was a disappointing way to finish with a top five result or even better on the cards. â€
The team was full of praise for the Redline Raceway track and they are looking forward to returning later this season.
“I really enjoyed the Redline track, when your out there it’s fantastic. You could pass and it was very fast… I look forward to returning, †enthused Kate.
The attention now firmly turns to Simon Amato, who will be making a return to the Sprintcar seat for this weekend’s South Australian Championship at Adelaide’s Speedway City.
Amato will then head further west to contest the Krikke Boys Memorial at Western Australia’s Bunbury City Speedway on March 3 and 4, followed by the Kings of Wings on March 9 and 10 at Perth Motorplex.
Searle will also be competing in her Formula 500 at these meetings, making it a double attack for the ABC Realestate Racing Team.
In recent times Warrnambool’s Stephen Bell has occupied the Sprintcar seat for ABC Realestate Racing, which has proved a success. The deal was constructed in a bid for Simon and the team to learn something about their car and for Simon to receive some pointers from an experienced racer.
“We learnt a lot with Belly (Stephen Bell) racing in our car, he taught us four to five major things that will generally improve the car, †said Amato.
Another thing that has restored Amato’s confidence is engine improvements, which will help on the larger tracks in the west.
“Our ex Garry Rush engine came off the dyno last week and we got another 50 horsepower, which is going to help on the bigger tracks in the west. We have been lacking that horsepower for a while now, †explained Amato.
Part of the reasoning behind doing a couple of meetings in South Australia and Western Australia over the next month, rather than local events in Victoria, is to start afresh.
“We’ve had a fair bit of bad luck recently, I’ve been in the wrong place at the wrong time on a few occasions. It wore me out a bit over Christmas, things like using all of the spares and everyone being deflated gets to you.
“Dave Murcott has been one driver besides Belly that has given us some advice, he told me that I’ll get past the crashing stage and become a smarter driver, so hopefully a fresh start can help, it’s really exciting for us, †Amato beamed.
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