AMSF Rookie Rising Stars undeterred after a challenging round two at Sandown Raceway

August 05, 2011

After impressive debuts just one month ago, both Jon Collins and Callum Mitchell were keen to move further into
the championship top ten coming into round two of the 2011 Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship.

The early sessions presented challenges with wild weather and lots of track action ensuring both AMSF Rookie
Rising Stars were limited to just one flying lap in practice on a greasy Sandown surface.

Qualifying was action packed, with a number of drivers including Collins spinning off the circuit in the wet
conditions. Mitchell’s decision to take the lap slowly paid off, moving from 6th to 1st on track as the errors of those
ahead cleared the way.

Collins took another spin in his second attempt, ending his chances of gaining a clear lap and posting a time in the
session. Mitchell kept a cool head and secured third fastest, taking the session calmly in the challenging conditions.
A stewards’ meeting with all drivers to assess the conditions, attitudes and driving standards resulted in a second
qualifying session being called to give the young racers another chance to show what they really can do.

Unfortunately, the extra ten minutes of track time would unfold as another interrupted session, giving the Rookie
Rising Stars just two flying laps in which to secure their starting positions. Collins found his feet to take 5th, with
Mitchell not far behind in 10th.

Jon Collins:
“Qualifying was disappointing because I just didn’t recognise how wet it was out there and was caught out twice,
spinning and not putting in any clear lap times.

Callum Mitchell:
“It’s frustrating to be really trying out there but be limited to only a few laps. I’ve found my place but race one will
now be my real practice laps with added pressure.”

Race one saw a good start by both Rookie Rising Stars, but after being held up on the first restart, Collins lost
position as the field charged on. With pace lacking and drama all around, Collins held onto 6th to lap five before
missing the brake pedal and finding his Go Markets Mygale beached on the curb at turn one. Mitchell kept his nose
clean lapping on pace yet hesitant of the grip level, braking hard to avoid an incident ahead before refocusing to
make some impressive moves through the field. Collins would fight back to take 14th, while Mitchell crossed the line
in 6th as both drivers looked to a better day two of racing.

Jon Collins:
“I made a reasonable start, but got held up on the first safety car restart so lost some ground.
“With the quicker guys passing me, I couldn’t find my feet, missed the brake pedal coming into turn one and ended
up stuck on the outside curb.

“I got back on track but at the rear of the field, so it was challenging. I made a few spots back but it was
disappointing how the weekend started.”

Callum Mitchell:
“I can’t complain as pulled a couple of good moves, the car feels good so when I can get some more good laps in,
I’ll know more where I need to be.
“If I can finish every race and be around this same place I’ll be happy.”

Race two: After a good start, Mitchell was secure in 7th when the safety car was called again. The field relaunched
through Dandenong Road, but as the leaders slowed and others accelerated Mitchell was caught in the concertina,
hit from behind and exiting the circuit after a tyre blow out from a punctured rear. Collins’ race ended when his
clutch pack in during the long wait for the green light.

Jon Collins:
“Off the start line, we were held a little too long and I fried the clutch. I got off the line alright but then had no drive
and coasted around half the circuit before pulling off to safety.
“It’s disappointing to end a race like that so it’s a continuing challenge but we’ve got another big points race to go.”

Callum Mitchell:
“Before the shunt, I was sticking with the quicker guys in front and looking to finish the race in a good position, I
was pushing hard but also not wanting to risk anything.

“Being hit under safety car, well you never think that will happen, and it was a decent hit bending the rear arm of
the car and sending bits of tyre going everywhere so it ended too soon.”

The final race of the weekend was yet another challenge as the race length was shortened again from eight to
five laps after Tom Grech had a frightening roll over after running up the back of Collins’ Go Markets machine.
Collins was able to continue. Neither Collins nor Mitchell gained or lost positions in the final race, again having no
time to showcase or develop their talent, but simply touring the Sandown track and using the time to take on as
much track knowledge as possible. Mitchell ended the final race in 7th, followed closely by Collins in 8th.

Jon Collins:
“It’s definitely been a frustrating weekend with limited track time and so many incidents. The car speed is definitely
there and the more laps I can get under my belt the better.

“Next round is here again and we’ll be better prepared. I’m certainly stronger mentally and next time out will be
giving the top five a real go.”

Callum Mitchell:
“It’s frustrating to have limited opportunity when I’m wanting to get some decent laps in for next round here again,
but there’s not much you can do but the best with what you’re given out there and we did that.”

Bruin Beasley, Team Manager:
“It’s been a weekend of disaster so the boys have done all they could with most of their short laps under safety car.
“They both kept on the track and stayed out of the carnage as much as they could under the circumstance, but it’s
hard to benchmark anything when there’s just no time.”

After round two of the state championship, the AMSF Rookie Rising Stars have certainly added to their race craft
and strengthened their focus for the season ahead. With team support and more laps to come, the team are
confident in a bank of better results with Mitchell and Collins set to return to Sandown for round three in seventh
and tenth places respectively.

2011 Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship standings:
1 Power         164
2 Lloyd          149
3 Venter        148
4 Fouracre     145
5 Brabham     140
6 Howell        118
7 Mitchell       116
8 Barbour       76
9 McRae         73
10 Collins       64

The AMSF Rookie Rising Stars are proudly supported by CAMS, the Australian Sports Commission, Minda
Motorsport, Go Markets, Penrite, OAMPS, Relux Slabs, Revolution Racegear and Mark Webber.
Images: By Ian Collins for the Australian Motor Sport Foundation www.amsf.org.au