Written by Mark Mcalary
The latest track day at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP) began bright and early. Upon arrival, the team immediately unpacked the trailer and organied the three-car garage space to prepare for the day’s activities. A small group took on the task of setting up the 1.2 km track, meticulously placing cones, and identifying potentially hazardous sections. After an hour and fifteen minutes, the track was ready, and the drivers conducted a track walk to confirm safety and layout, raising minimal concerns.
At 8:30 AM, the car rolled out for a shakedown, completing initial checks before being cleared for the first proper full-powered run. Each of the four drivers completed two autocross runs, with times remaining impressively close. Between runs, the pit crew analysed data to identify performance improvements.
Following autocross, the car was charged, and slight adjustments were made to the dampers to prepare for endurance testing. A discussion ensued about power settings and whether to run one or two sets of drivers. Ultimately, the decision was made to use two sets of drivers for better data collection to assist with future driver selection.
Endurance testing began with the first driver completing 9 laps of the 1.3 km track, in line with the competition requirement of 22 km. The driver completed their stint without any issues, however the second driver faced prompted return to the pits for investigation.
With the car repaired and charged, the second set of drivers completed their stints, showcasing excellent performance in both pace and energy management.
The final portion of the day was dedicated to media coverage. We were grateful to have our previous media manager and prominent social media figure to join us for this portion of the day. The media team captured dynamic rolling shots, still shots, and footage of the car exiting the pits.
As the sun set, the team gathered for a group photo before packing the trailer and heading back to UOW. Exhausted but accomplished, the day ended on a high note, marking another step forward for UOW Motorsport.
