It was a tough night behind the wheel for Toby Bellbowen on Saturday night at Valvoline Raceway. After reaching the highest of highs by setting quick time in qualifying, it all turned bad from there as Toby rode out a spectacular flip, ending up on the turn four embankment. Although Toby emerged out of the car OK, there was plenty of damage to the once pristine Hogs Breath Cafe Maxim.

Toby’s crew worked feverishly and totally rebuilt the car in time for Toby to take his spot in the B-Main. Finishing second in that, Toby started from position nine in the 30 lap A-Main and performed admirably with a damaged race car to record a tenth place finish, gaining vital points for the track championship.

“It was certainly a character building night,” Toby reflected.

“We are learning a lot this season, even with our mishaps. We are taking them in and it is making us better each week. Very soon we will be able to put a night together and show our true potential.”

Surprisingly, the damage could have been worse for the young racer.

“The chassis is bent. That is the most disappointing thing, but it’s nothing Chris Street's fabrication shop can't fix. The guy is an absolute wizard when it comes to squaring these things back up and he will have it ready for us in no time. The rest of the damage was just bolt on stuff, which we quickly fixed after the heat race, in time for the B-main.”

On a bright note, it has to be pointed out how good Toby is going at qualifying this season. He is now the only driver who has qualified in the top four at each meeting this season to date.

“I'm loving qualifying right now. It was a blast being able to get my first ever quick-time award in front of a packed crowd, and a stellar field of cars. We were under no illusions how hard it would be just to qualify well this past weekend, and to go out in the middle of the order and go to the top was very encouraging. It's a real credit to my guys that work so hard.

Toby now has a week of, with no racing scheduled for Sydney, and he will use that time to get the car back to its pristine former self for the next show on Saturday, December 6.

“The car will be fine. We have a plan to be ready in time. It's obviously something we didn't want to do, but have to do, but s they say, that’s racing. These things happen and we do prepare for this. Everyone is pushing to make it through the heat and I pushed a little too hard too early. Now it is time to work on what we can do to be better on December 6.”

Following December 6, there will be a two week break before returning to the track on Boxing Night, December 26. This will represent the start of a very busy time for Toby and the team.

Toby would like to thank his valued sponsors for the 2014/15 season;

Hog’s Breath Cafe
Rod Bowen’s Prestige Smash Repairs
Spies Hecker
McGrath Lander Motor Group
Valvoline
Poolwerx Hills Shire
Lander Toyota
Vortex Race Products
Duncan & Foster Engine Reconditioning
B & B Graphics
Murrell Distribution

Photo courtesy Jo Richards – www.impactonline.net.au

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