JACK PHELAN IS LORD OF THE RIVER DANCE

IMAGE: Jack Phelan wouldn't allow the wet conditions to stop him taking three victorys, clean sweeping the final round of the NSW Production Sports Car Championship.
Credit: Gary Rogers www.garyrogers.com.au
 

In absolutely miserable conditions at Gouldburn’s Wakeifeld Park circuit, Jack Phelan has taken home a round victory as the NSW CAMS Production Sports Car championship state series came to a close last weekend. With a rounds racing condensed into a one day format at Wakefield, the Production Sports Car category was unlucky with its draw, taking to the circuit on Sunday morning right as rain began to fall. 

However, Phelan refused to allow the conditions to get the better of him, a masterful wet weather performance securing him pole position for the opening race. Qualifying second was Glenn Townsend, half a second off Phelan’s best time, in his Lotus Elise. Rounding out the top three was Mark Stinson, who was looking to have a quieter weekend, standing on the verge of taking home the championship crown. 

IMAGE: Phelan leads through turn two as Townsend tries to pressure the Porsche driver into a mistake. 
Credit: Gary Rogers, www.garyrogers.com.au
 

In race one a determined Townsend, who missed out on a certain class win in the dying stages during the last round at Sydney Motorsport Park, was intent on making life as difficult as possible for Phelan. “He didn’t get me by much in qualifying, I’m going to make it as hard as possible on him in this race,” said Towsend before the race. Off the line the Lotus driver got the jump and managed to lead out of turn two, however, soon after, Phelan re-asserted his intentions, taking the lead and driving away to what would ultimately be the first of three comfortable victories on the day. 

VIDEO: Ride onboard with Glenn Townsend as he goes for a wild trip onto the infield in race two at Wakefield Park. 
Credit: Blend Line TV

As the day wore on, track conditions continued to deteriorate, and with each return to the track for NSW Production Sports Car competitors, racing became more and more difficult. Both Lotus of Townsend and Magaitis struggled in the rain, with each taking trips onto the infield during the second and third races. Townsend suffering the biggest moment of the weekend on his way through turn six, losing traction before completing three rotations on the infield. If Production Sports had decided to undertake a diving competition, Townsend’s perfect execution of the rotations while splashing through puddles, would have earnt him full marks. Unfortunately, the race to the chequered flag was the goal, and Townsend’s effort handed Phelan a comfortable victory. 

IMAGE CREDIT: Gary Rogers, www.garyrogers.com.au

Despite race three seeing the worst conditions of the weekend, Phelan yet again kept his composure to drive a controlled effort to victory. Not done with showing he was the class of the field all weekend, Phelan punched out the fastest lap of the race on the last lap. Quicker than his qualifying effort by 0.8s it served to show that he is a force to be reckoned with in Production Sports Cars. “It was great to come away with the victory today. Really hard out there, but found a rhythm and brought it home. Huge thanks to the crew and all my sponsors with the Bob Jane T-Marts Blacktown car, looking forward to the rounds ahead now,” enthused Phelan after the race. 

IMAGE: Mark Stinson did enough in the first two races to secure the 2014 Production Sports Car State Championshiip.

Credit: Gary Rogers, www.garyrogers.com.au

While he didn’t take to the course for the final race of the weekend, Mark Stinson had done enough to take home the 2014 NSW Production Sports Car State Championship. The Nissan Silvia driver proving that consistency and strong class results are enough to stay at the top of the table against more fancied machinery. 

The NSW Production Sports Car Championship heads to Queensland’s Morgan Park circuit for the next round of the Endurance Championship. To see all the action from Wakefield Park tune in to Blend Line TV in the coming weeks. Television times will be advised closer to the air date.