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8th Position for
Macdonald at Maryborough
Sunday November 15, 2009
Shane
Macdonald last night qualified his Linmac Automotive commodore out
of position 14 and would ultimately finish a credible 8th for the 25
lap Final of the first round of the Exide Batteries QLD Modified
Production Series.
The first round of
heats saw the water truck do a lap to keep the moisture up to the
track as we were support for the Sprintcars Dash for Cash. Thus
making the drivers frustrated as it would take a couple of laps for
there to become 2 racing lines making it hard to make a pass
cleanly. Macdonald started from position 10 in his first heat and
saw Macdonald make up a few positions to come home in 5th position.
Heat two saw Macdonald start from position 4. Once again the track
had been watered on the high line making an unfair advantage for the
cars on the inside. Macdonald slipped into 4th position on the start
and was working on a pass on Thomsen, Macdonald eventually made a
pass with slight contact between the 2 cars, Macdonald then chased
down 1st and second place but ran out of laps to challenge them for
position. After the race Macdonald was put back two positions for
what was deemed a "too aggressive pass on Thomsen". Macdonald
unhappy with the decision had to cop it on the chin. Sometimes I
wonder if having QLD 1 on your car draws unwanted attention from the
Stewards as they try to make an example of you. Shane Started out of
position 2 for his last heat beside Rocket Rodney Pammenter.
Macdonald got the jump as they had watered the pole line this time
giving me an advantage to the cars on the pole line. I led from
start to finish with Pammenter and Lester hot on my heels.
Macdonald had made
enough points to start from position 14 for the final, while Rocket
just missed out on making the A main, instead having to start from
position 1 in the B main. Pammenter finished second in the B main
and started from the back of the A main. On the start, cars were
going everywhere, Macdonald found himself blocked in as Maroske's
car failed to accelerate off the start, Macdonald loosing valuable
positions. Macdonald set out on a mission, staying on the low line
for the first half of the race which had multiple stoppages which
saw quite a few of the front runners drop out. Macdonald was getting
frustrated and decided to step it up a bit, finding some drive
around the high line only to be baulked by other cars banging panels
with each other, at one stage there was panels and debris flying
everywhere, one piece slamming into the front of Macdonald's car
making a huge bang noise. Macdonald loosing the positions that he
had gained. The race was declared with 2 laps to go as someone had
spun. This would see Macdonald finish in 8th position with Pammenter
getting past Macdonald in the dying laps to finish 6th.

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