CIK: Australia's Toowoomba round three practice notes

20 June, 2003 - The Dunlop Australian CIK Championship returned to the Toowoomba circuit for the first time since 2001 today and the opening day of practice produced some interesting scenarios.

After a lean start to this year Queensland pilot, Barclay Holden showed some great pace in the elite Formula A class during today's practice sessions.

Holden was fast from the opening session aboard his Trulli kart around the tight Toowoomba circuit. He continued this pace throughout the day on the chassis that showed great pace during last year's Championship.

"After scratching our head during the opening two rounds of the Championship we have done some testing and discovered that last year's chassis seems to be more suited towards the Dunlop tyres," commented Holden.

While unable to consistently match the times set by Holden current Championship leader Jason Hryniuk wasn't far behind the pace aboard his Rainer and Leech CRG at the scene where he claimed his career first State Title.

"I was fast but not quite as fast as Barclay and Daniel Elliott isn't far behind either," said Hryniuk.

Although not putting in blistering times throughout the day local driver Richard McLeod will be one to watch throughout the weekend.

"There's no stress here. We've got what we've got. It doesn't matter if we are fast or slow today, Sunday is the one that counts," said the 1993 Champion.

While Holden was setting the pace in Formula A his Trulli kart team mate, Glenn Powles was amongst half a dozen drivers who were around the mark in the Intercontinental A class.

Queenslander, William Yarwood was the pace setter in the Intercontinental C class aboard his JT Team Arrow kart. Equal series leader, Tyson Pearce made some improvements on his Omega Karts to be within a tenth of Yarwood's times late in the day.

"My Arrow kart is really working well both on new and old tyres," said Yarwood.

Making his debut in the 6-speed gearbox Intercontinental C Andrew Thompson admitted "This is tougher than anything I have ever driven, the acceleration is unbelievable and the front brakes are taking a bit to get used to."

Queenland drivers Ashley Walsh and Martin Swindells were the pace setters in the Junior Intercontinental A class. Closely following the duo during the day on the stopwatches was South Australian Mason Merritt in his Omega and Ben McCashney aboard his Trulli kart.

All the talk stops tomorrow when qualifying begins at 11:00am at the Greer Park Raceway in Toowoomba.

The Toowoomba circuit is located at Greer Park Raceway, Snellings Road, Helidon, Queensland approximately 15 kilometres East of Toowoomba.