Round Report: The Bend Classic 2023

A substantial amount of HGNA competitors made the long trip to The Bend and had a great time there:

Paul Tierney
John Battersby
Paul Battersby
Francis Meier
David Wheatley
David Roberts
Brad Forgeard

Again these interstate excursions turned into an adventurous experience for all those HGNA members that ventured to the Bend Motor Racing Facility.

Just getting there for Jerry Lenstra proved a rather dangerous experience when a big road train was overtaking him. Contact with the right hand exterior mirror on the new Ford Ranger caused severe damage to the mirror and the side panelling of the trailer. As a separate incident he also had a flat tire on his trailer, watching it go down while he was re-fuelling.

At least Jerry’s son, Marc (who flew in with his son Cooper) had a reasonable good run. Driving the Escort, Marc was really quick and even made it to the Top Ten Shootout.

In race two Marc had his left rear wheel split coming onto the straight, causing a safety car for the rest of the field. Luckily there wasn’t much damage and he fitted a replacement new wheel and was outstandingly quick again. He finally came in second place in the class up to 1600 cc

Paul Battersby was going well during Friday practice, but then was less fortunate in the last run when probably a bearing let go in the gearbox, ending his run.

Saturday morning he then hopped into his father John’s car for qualifying, but unfortunately then had a major engine issue.

First thought it is the head gasket, but when they pulled the head off, two pistons had detonated.

A really bad outing for the Battersby’s, but they still kept a smile on their face considering the negative outcome.

Dave Roberts was going well, but during practice he was still trying to find the best suspension settings to suit the tyre temperatures. David was in third place among the Minis in the first and second race, but then the car had a mechanical issue in the 3rd race. Looks like something around the timing gear, not sure. Apparently the crank was turning and the pistons working, but the valve train not.

He also had some testing circumstances whilst driving down to the Bend.

In the morning he missed the exit from the highway to pick up his pit crew member Bob, which was resolved when Francis travelling behind Dave picked Bob up instead.

Later during the trip he had to manage his fuel consumption to avoid running out of fuel somewhere before Hay.

David Wheatley had some minor issues with a right front driveshaft nut and rear shock settings, but in general performed well in qualifying and all races.

Francis had a great weekend with no work required on the car except doing tyre pressures and filling up the fuel and oil.

Car ran like a clock and he was reasonably quick too. Qualified as fastest Mini, but then in the races finished second of the Minis behind Richard Hill. In the overall point score, he was 3rd behind Marc in the class up to 1600 cc. First was Richard Hill from Vic

Paul Tierney in the Holden Torana continued to have valve train issues that precluded him from most of the competition over the weekend.