For Sam Fenech, the start of the new Pro Slammer Championship season has been interesting- to say the least.
At the first round of the series in Darwin, the JSS Racing driver had a solid outing that leaves him 10th in the points standings despite suffering chassis damage from violent tyre shake across the weekend.
The team decided that rather than repair the older generation car, which already had several seasons of competition under its belt, that it would be best to start the search for a new car. The search resulted in the purchase of a near new 1969 US built Camaro from Canberra racer Johnny Rosso, with only a handful of runs on it.
In the break between the first round in Darwin and the upcoming East Coast Thunder, the team were also busy on the sponsorship front – securing a 3-year, naming-rights agreement with Lloyds Classic Car Auctions. The new car was wrapped in the new livery and unveiled at the Lloyd’s Classic Car Auction that coincided with the Bathurst 1000.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Lloyds Classis Car Auctions to the JSS Racing family, in addition to our other new partners including Two Way Cranes and Rigging and ITF Fitness. Alongside our existing partners Westend Performance, Atlantic Oils and TheAppShop.com.au we are set for a huge season!”
A disastrous test session at Sydney Dragway 2 weeks out from the East Coast Thunder saw the new car lose oil pressure at around half track, with a huge amount of oil going under the tyres resulting in Fenech tagging the wall with the front and left rear of the car.
Fortunately the damage was mostly cosmetic, with Craig Burns from SCF Racecars in Sydney undertaking the chassis repairs and Terry Jackson from IM Composite Technologies performing magic to restore the car back to its previously pristine condition in record time.
With only days until the East Coast Thunder gets underway, Fenech and the team will be hoping for smoother sailing during private testing scheduled for Monday through to Wednesday this week!
“Pro Slammer is not going to be easy with a 16 car field meaning that to win on Sunday, you have to win 4 consecutive races. With a brand new car, it will be tough – but we will be trying to bring home our first 400 Thunder Series win in front of our home town crowd, for all of our new and existing sponsors!” beamed Fenech.
Qualifying gets underway for the East Coast Thunder on Friday November 2, with race day starting on November 3.
Tickets and info are available at www.sydneydragway.com.au .
