A Different Perspective  - Saturday March 12th, 11

Event - All Stars Show
Perth Motorplex
12/3/2010

Southside Engine Centre Super Sedan Summer Series Round 11

I received an email from SSRC Secretary  Paula Lyall after the weekend saying that Jason Crowe was away at Timmis Speedway covering the Street Stock National Title and Glenn Piper on duties with the Vosbergen’s in Collie and if I could do a media release for results from Round 11!!!??? HELP would be the answer…afraid I just don’t have the vocabulary -that’s why I leave it up to JC and Glenn. BUT hey maybe I could write something…. my way… with A Different Perspective

A Different Perspective …My name is Tina Lizzi and I have been called a Speedway Tragic!!!!!!!

Another Perth Motorplex Super Speedway Saturday Night –3rd last for the season. The crowd is small but buzzing…. the air is filled with the sound of thundering race cars… And a combination of race fuel fumes and D U S T...speedway’s signature to another long hot dry WA summer…stings my eyes.   As a true race fan I take a deep breath and smile…Wahoo!!!!!!!.

Down the concrete stairway looking across into the Pit area …huge transporters… quad bikes  like little squirrels  and  awesome racing machines glistening before they are cloaked in dark sticky clay...All ready to go…Everything on the line …Win it or bin it.

Straight ahead is my GIG – the V8 Super Sedans – the real Speedway race cars – the real Speedway race car drivers - rough diamonds – and definitely no F B S allowed here with these Boys. Next to each pit bay, a  red SSRC branded Teardrop Banner waves in the wind shouting big bright and bold -  GIANCOLA  BROWN  HIGGS’s  DOES  AYLETT NASH  GREEN’s LYALL NORRIS  REID  LARSON’s  O'CALLAGHAN…15 cars - not all the contingency are here tonight certainly – but to those that have made it …That’s all that matters.

I look I listen and I learn and I gotta tell you this Speedway Sedan racing business is not easy …If a race team manages to survive the night without carnage then all is good in the world - but say blowing an engine….will cost $5K to $10K and a lay off of any where from 2 to 6 weeks - unless there is a spare in the workshop or you have a very generous sponsor. Chassis damage is not too serious - just cut out and replace but if you do a right hand front –there’s not much change out of $2K. Tyres - a full set of race rubber will put you back about $320 a tyre …how many times you replace depends on the budget …Top teams would hope to at every race meeting…the rest just leave the good stuff for the feature race. Add consumables  such as fuel  oil  and  tear offs....add nomination fees…  add  beers for the crew J not to mention the cost to run the transporter that takes the  race car  to the tracks.

And plenty to do in the days leading up to a race meeting such as order and pick up methanol… the race car is washed  cleaned and bolt checked - oil and filters checked.  Most of the race set up is done in the workshop - there is a Base Point set up that is central and relative to each individual car and driver that does not vary and race track condition is effectual to very minor adjustments on the night. Final check of the spare parts inventory, the last all over check and then…load her up boys!!.

At the track there is scrutineering, attend the drivers meeting, wheel packing then top up fuel check tyres and set tear offs – nothing worse than getting half way through a race and NO fri%%ing tear offs!!!!  In-between races maybe alter or change a shock…shift a spacer… if there is any superficial damage it can usually be fixed – most of the componentry is bolt on/off…but if its something terminal then the winch is engaged early and the next day starts to look real busy. Most driver’s will park up when they get home….but with the adrenalin still charging though the veins and eyes wide open….sleep does not come very easily….Hey Darl…make us a cuppa tea ;-) ??

The first bay of the Super Sedan pits is my office and reserved for a striking 6m by 6m red peaked Marquee – home too of the Southside Engine Centre Super Sedan Summer Series. Underneath - tables chairs and kids…sitting down colouring in…some full of concentration some just mucking about …helping themselves to lolly pops and sweets...a photo album on the table…Whoa look at that car….questions asked ….whose that driver. Finished pieces of art work …brightly coloured Super Sedans and sponsors logos….pegged up on red ribbon from the roof of the Marquee flutter wildly in the wind. 

I chat to a Dad patiently sitting as his son puts some finishing touches to his masterpieces. Dad is a Sprintcar  die hard - true and loyal…. and there he is watching his child colour in a Super Sedan …#43 the boy draws on the Racecar…Marc Giancola…he writes again as his favourite driver…dad shakes his head and smiles!!!

There is a steady flow through the Marquee all night….a mother  and her daughter -a little 10 year old who loves drawing and does a  beautiful freehand sketch of the #69 Super Sedan and asks the Drivers name….John O’Callaghan…..her favourite. Would you like to meet him I ask her – a shy yes is the response…Me her and Mum  walk right down the end of the pits and she shakes hands with her hero …and as he signs her drawing he has probably just made a couple of life long fans. Like most of my ideas – the circus will all grow and develop.

So OK - I confess… that’s me walking up and down the pits all night…hassling all and sundry once the SSRC Promotions Trailer arrives with Spear Chukka to please -Put Up the Tent.  I am the one that makes  sure the SSRC flag goes out with a driver for wheel packing….I inform the media and go up and say hi to them at the start of a  race night –answer any questions about the division they might have…I share my time between supervising the Marquee Promotion Colouring Competition and rushing up to stand in Race Control during the Super Sedan races so I can see for myself  the ‘Product’ that the fans are seeing….I watch the Promoter – the Stewards….listen to the Commentators – fill in the gaps and if there is something missing rev things up a beat of two.!!!!  I don’t have to prepare a race car… load it up and take it to the track.  I don’t have to make sacrifices or put my life on the line to pursue my passion – to present the best possible show for the paying public. What I am is a Management Strategy   ….. What I do …..With absoluteness and no bias to any particular driver or team is to promote and sell a Product ….the Brand - Speedway Sedan Racing Club - WA Super Sedans ….. to the Sponsors, the Media…Race Tracks and Promoters and most of all the Race Fans…… and my Brief is to make sure that EVERYONE knows…… exactly who we are!!!!!

 As part of the Southside Engine Centre Super Sedan Summer Series

 Tina Lizzi
SSRC/PR

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