Sunday, 31 December 2006
NSR PR

Competing against some of the finest racers on the Australian Speedcar scene for the fourth round of the Speedcar Super Series at Gilgandra Speedway, Nathan Smee stormed home to sixth place after being sent to the rear of the field in the 30 lap race.   

 

Taking to the circuit for engine starts, the NSR campaign was underway. Pulling to the infield at the start of hot laps, Smee was set for time trials without testing the track at speed. Timing a 15.63 second lap, Nathan earned the 9th fastest qualifying time of all competitors.

 

Starting in position five in his first 10 lap heat, Smee slipped to the low line at the drop of the green, sweeping under third and fourth place through turns one and two. Pressing hard down the back straight, Smee was right on the tail of 2nd position. Heading into three and four, Smee shot low and under, running wheel to wheel down the main straight capturing the spot in the turn one entry. With quick glimpses at the lead, Smee fought off a challenge and crossed the line in second. 

 

Out of six in heat number two, Smee once again headed to the low line to move forward. Passing under, Smee progressed to fourth and began a bout with fellow racer; both cars gaining ground on the leaders. Looking at any line to pass, the orange lights were displayed for a spinning car after Nathan claimed third position. On the restart, the Allforms Sheetmetal Speedcar 6 dipped low for the pass through one and two, before the front runners collided. As the race restarted, Smee had now settled in as the  leader. Strengthening his first place position, he began to pull away from the field crossing the finish line in first, adding valuable points to the tally board; NSR were now the third highest point scorer on the night and earned a start in the SSS poll shuffle.

 

PHOTO BY www.KingImages.com.au

 

A two lap sprint to the chequers was soon underway for the hotly contested poll shuffle. After another hard charging battle for the win, Smee secured his fourth starting position in the A main feature event, a race earning points for the SSS and double points for the NSW club championship. 

 

From his outside row start position, Smee swept to the highline through turns one and two moving up to third on the opening lap. Running high on the exit, he was caught out and quickly relegated back to fifth by his competitors. Regaining ground, the top six drivers began to pull away from the pack before encountering lapped traffic in the 30 lap event. Running three deep into turn one, as one car moved high, Smee moved low and the two cars passed for the position; Nathan had now progressed to fourth.

 

Driving hard into turns one and two, Smee swept low capturing third before the caution lights glowed around the raceway, with the officials later declaring Nathan responsible for the stoppage. A baffled driver, crowd and crew saw Speedcar 6 move to the rear for the restart with less than 10 laps remaining. Straight on the gas when the green flags dropped, Smee was now a man on a mission. Storming around Gilgandra Speedway passing 6 cars in a few short laps, a battle began for placings. A tight challenge for positions, Nathan grabbed the advantage on a rutty track before slipping under another racer for 6th place with 3 laps remaining. As gaps formed between the leaders, Smee was quickly running out of time but with a never give up attitude, continued to chase down his competition. Finishing sixth overall, Nathan thanked his sponsors and crew for their valuable support and is ready to compete again this week at Parramatta.

 

Nathan Smee Racing would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, before returning to Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway this Friday night, January 5th. Be sure to head to the pits to meet Nathan and his crew! 

QUICK RESULTS

TIME TRIALS	START POSITION	FASTEST LAP TIME
	9	15.63

 

HEAT ONE	START POSITION	FINISH
	5	2

 

HEAT TWO	START POSITION	FINISH
	6	1

 

POLL SHUFFLE	START POSITION	FINISH
	3 vs 4	4

 

FEATURE	START POSITION	FINISH
	4	6

PHOTO BY www.KingImages.com.au

 

Nathan Smee Racing would like to thank their valuable Sponsors: