Ray Bartlett Racing

The team headed back over the border into “the badlands”, (some would call it Victoria - but I like “the badlands” better) for round 4 of the 360 Sprintcar All Stars at Mildura on Sunday 2nd of January 2011. After running an All Stars show for Tims debut in the Sprintcar at Murray Bridge in early December, the team was looking forward to this event as we would not have to start at the back of everything. The night tossed up some mixed results in the heats - started off pole in heat 1 only to spin on the first corner and rejoin in position 9th, eventually finishing 8th.

Second heat Tim started out of position 9 and ended the heat in position 5, although the car was a bit of a handful to drive (Tim told me in more detailed language exactly what he thought of the car at the end of the heat).

So after going back to an original set up, we started the B-Main from possie 4, remembering that we only needed a top 6 finish to make the transfer into the A-Main.

As he has done every time when he straps into the car, Tim drove with his head and brought the car home in 3rd, and therefore getting us through to the main show.

That put us out of position 15 for the A-Main, but with 30 laps the journey, I was sure Tim would go forward.

Therefore after 30 laps, a bit of excitement, and a bit of dust - Tim bought the SA 67 home in 11th place.

So in only his 4th race in a Sprintcar, Tim had not only made the show, but he finished it as well.

A huge thanks to Tim’s mate Jack Perkins, who helped us out all night with the car as we were running a couple of normal crew short, and a big thanks also to my Dad. The old boy well and truly earned his keep on the night.

Cheers

Ray Bartlett.8)