Unfortunately, this was another one of those meetings where things didn't quite go to plan. I got a good start in race 1 - for about 3 metres anyway, at which point the splines sheared off the left hand axle. I was able to complete the first lap (slowly), but then made a quick detour through pit lane to check whether the boss (Craig) was happy for me to continue so I could at least get some points. With the thumbs up, I rejoined the action and did finish the race, or so I thought. The detour had cost me a lap so I only completed 3 out of 5 laps - less than the 75% required to be classified as a finisher.
Craig was able to quickly locate a replacement axle and I was back on track for race 2, starting from the rear of the grid. This race went without a hitch and I finished 4th after a bit of dicing with a couple of the other cars and swapping positions a few times.
For race 3 I was optimistic of making up another couple of places, but to my dismay the replacement axle also stripped its splines as I left the start line; a carbon copy of race 1. This time I didn't worry about going into the pits and kept circulating, being lapped twice but completing 6 of the 8 laps - enough to get points this time! This final race was a double points race so I was happy just to finish and secure enough points to hold on to 2nd place overall in the 2012 State Championship.
On the bright side, it was far better for the axle problems to occur at this meeting than at the following week's final of the Shannons Nationals at Sandown. One axle breaking is bad luck, but 2 in one day indicates an underlying problem, which we are now in the process of rectifying with a new diff and spool.
See you at Sandown!
P.S. Here's my video of the start of race 3:
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