Aussie Racing Cars Championship 2019 Round 4 Ipswich SuperSprint Queensland July 26-28
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Kody Garland (Aussie Racing Cars 2019, weekends Most Improved Driver) and his #41 MTA NSW Nissan Altima at Ipswich SuperSprint
The Queensland SuperSprint became the landmark where nearly two decades after the race’s inception, the MTA NSW #41 vehicle joined a car field of 21 Aussie Racing Cars assembled for the fourth round of the Aussie Racing Cars, 2019 Championship Series. Despite having to replace an entire engine between Race 1 and Race 2 at Darwin in the last round, the MTA NSW Sponsored driver, Kody Garland saw this round as more challenging, testing both the driver’s skill and the Nissan Altima’s responsiveness.
“We did some test laps here early in the year when we got the car, but it isn’t quite the same as battling for position like today,” he said. “The car really wants to slide at the back, particularly in the fast corners . . . and this place has a number of them. Whether it's just too grippier going into the corners I am not sure, but has been very difficult to cure. We had the same issue in practice this morning. We will just keep chipping away and we will get there.”
MTA NSW sponsored Driver Kody Garland prepares #41 Nissan Altima for his first meeting at Ipswich
Friday 26 July – Qualifier Race One 2.5 Seconds Off the Lead
Kel Treseder, having knowledge from his past visits to the Willowbank circuit, put his Camaro on Pole for race one the following day and once again was the driver to beat in race one of round four. Fellow Queenslander Kyle Honour (Camaro) was second fastest. Throughout the grid-deciding session, series points leader Justin Ruggier (Hertz Mustang) maintained third place. In his first ever meet at Willowbank, Garland was only approximately 2.5 seconds behind Treseder.
Saturday 27 July – Kody Garland in Three Car Melee
Despite rival and vehicle performance issues, Garland from Taree in NSW, characteristically surged forward again in race one at QLD Raceway on Saturday, finishing a solid ninth after picking up several places in the course of the 12-lap event.
“The car was sliding still, but not as bad as yesterday. It was much better and quicker through the race than it was in practice and qualifying,” Garland enthused.
“We will continue to make changes, subtle ones with front camber and rear ride height adjustments for race two.”
Garland was off to a good start in the second race, but was embroiled in a three-car melee at turn six on the opening lap. He came off the worse of the trio, spinning out and resuming at the rear of the field in 20th position.
Over the ensuing laps, he picked off the traffic, taking four on lap three, another on lap four and five before nailing another three further spots one lap later.
Garland fought hard as usual and was able to bring the MTA NSW Altima home in tenth position, and along the way, caught and passed the two cars he had tangled with initially.
Sunday’s race three will feature only the top ten from race two reversed and puts Garland off pole position.
Kody Garland in #41 takes on a rival at Ipswich SuperSprint
Sunday 28th July – Award and Final Race Drama
Ninth overall in the fourth round of the Aussie Racing Car Championship Series at Queensland Raceway was a result both Kody Garland and his racing team were pleased with having received, given it was the very first race meet at the Willowbank circuit.
Much credit to an 18 year old Kody Garland tasked with developing himself and his new team while simultaneously mechanically customising the KGR / MTA NSW Altima race car, often race to race. Still, he continues accumulating knowledge in navigating unknown racetrack territory finishing race three, later elevated to seventh after applied penalties to two leaders.
Garland started the day’s first race from pole position and held his own while resisting an attempt to be muscled aside by his front row rival at the first corner. Garland led up to race three but was passed as rivals showed superior straight-line speed by pushing one another.
Kody #41 takes every opportunity to forge ahead at the Ipswich SuperSprint
Caught out by a freight train of experienced runners, it was a matter of trying to bring #41 in wherever possible. In the final race the MTA NSW sponsored driver, diced with several seasoned competitors behind the top ten before ultimately coming out ahead!
"Ending up 7th position in the final after a penalty to the other drivers, I'm pretty happy with that! - plus I was awarded the most improved driver too for the weekend," said Kody.
MTA NSW congratulates Kody Garland and the Kody Garland Racing team on an outstanding effort despite all odds. Congratulations also to all competitors on making it to the fourth round.
The next round of the Aussie Racing Cars is at the new circuit in Tailem Bend South Australia and gets underway from the 23rd of August.
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