A fantastic day was had by me especially the lime after the event. Vaucluse just seems to have that perfect after race atmosphere where you generally end up going home smelling like a brewery, not always induced however, but with that permanent grin that just won't wipe off. Long live the social!!!

They were some new surface changes to the track this year that of course needed a little getting used to and with just one drive through I don't think a lot of us drivers knew what to expect hence some serious steering scrambles being the norm. I initially thought the track would have been quicker than last year due to the under bridge concrete strip and the oil binding marl but of course with the lack of rain the clay section lacked the moisture and it really started to powder up making it very slippy but sooo exciting to drive. I tell you, with almost 3 kilometres of track and 4 surface changes, tar onto clay onto oiled marl onto concrete with some grass thrown in between and smoothe as tarmac spec who could want to drive anything less.

My mount worked very well throughout the day not behaving nervously as previous so the back suspension seems to be sorted now just to work on the bump and rebound settings. I had some good racing with Paul Bourne in the qualifying and two real nail biters in the handicap with Sean Gill and Geoffrey Ullyett. Sean's race I thought was hard enough (12 secs) but I wasn't reckoning on such a gap between mine and Geoff's time (25 secs) and what an opponent. The poor Evo never took so much restraint ever on a start line, antilag popping, boost building, clutch on bite, handbrake pulled to maximum trying to stop her from lurching and still no sign of green light for what seemed eternity, yes total adrenaline rush is the name of that game. Good thing she won after all of that!

I would like to thank my sponsors Simpson Motors/NP Oils/Sunbeach/Pirelli and Sikkens for all their support this year and of course the poor sod (crew chief) Sean Lashley who goes beyond the call of duty always. Looking forward to the rest of the Sunbeach Series hoping to retain the lead and BREK some more records along the way.

Trevor 'Electric Micey' Manning