The big day finally arrived! dated: 7 November 2005
The big day finally arrived! After serving my apprenticeship in the junior sedan ranks for 6 years and 6 long months of waiting during the off season, at last - race night. I had only practiced 3 times in the United Industries Stealth/Esslinger Speedcar the team purchase during the off season.

Wow it sure had some get up and go… coming from a 65HP machine to a 340hp rocket this thing was totally awesome… learning to pilot this missile was made so much easier with long time speedcar driver Joe Little coming on board as a mentor for me and his experience in racecar set up teaching our young team(not all are so young) the ropes in the pits…even with the best mentor I could possible have I felt anxious but still I couldn’t wait to get out there with a full field of fire breathing speedcars. Even with my 6 years racing as a rookie I was required to start from the rear of the field until the chief steward decided I was confided enough.
 
 
The most nerve racking part was getting pushed out on the track and getting started but once this was completed the nerves seem to disappear. And there you are - lining up with 16 other cars in front of you and when the green flag finally drops its race time and no place for the faint hearted.

After a couple of laps settling into the groove of what was a hooky track surface (which made for some interesting passing moves) before I new it I was in position 6 and chasing the fifth place Jim Fleming. But time ran out and the chequered flag dropped and to my relief that was the finish my first ever midget race, still in one piece and a 5th place.

The next race I had to start from the rear again but only a few laps into it Neville Lance came into contact with Scott Glazebrook causing Neville to roll violently into the turn 3 wall and collecting a fellow rookie Stephen Henderson along the way turning his ride upside down. The red lights were turned on while Neville was removed from his car. When the race got underway again to my advantage, the few positions I had made up a prior to the crash put me behind the hot shots so I thought if I could just keep up with these guys I would be happy. I was fortunate enough to get past a few more cars as they bunched up mid track so I put the car on the high line and gave it a go and I pulled the move off to put me into 3rd place at the drop of the chequered flag.
 
I can remember thinking this was a good result for my second ever race. Time for the 3rd and final heat of the night off the back of the bus again with the race laps cut back due to the time curfew it went from green to chequer without a stoppage and I finished in 6th position.

What a unbelievable debut night – me and the team could never have imagined finishing 4th in the points. And a first for the team - getting a pay cheque from the racetrack (I might frame this one). We are so looking forward to our next meeting in 3 weeks and the rest of the season at the Kwinana Motorplex.

I would like to thank all of my sponsors for enabling me to make the successful transition from Junior Sedans to Midget Racer and a very special thanks to Joe Little for his guidance and set up on the car.
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