Hyundai Construction Racing launched its 2005 HPDC V8 Supercar Series campaign at Queensland Raceway Wednesday last. The brand-new BA Falcon in Hyundai Construction Equipment and Hydraulink livery was debuted by Steve Ellery Racing at its pre-Clipsal test day.
7/4/2005 18:22 (Press Release) -
In the lead-up to Kanga Loaders Racing’s HPDC V8 Supercar Series campaign, Gary MacDonald had his first outing in the ex Steve Ellery #31 Falcon last Wednesday.
“I know this is a good car, because I saw the speed Steve got out of it last year – and the results are there as proof. 7th place in the Main Series at Symmons Plains displays what this car is capable of,” MacDonald said, while adding, “This is a very professional team; they know what they’re doing, and I have the utmost confidence in their ability.”
Gary arrived virtually straight from the Kanga Loaders V8 Ute campaign at the AGP meeting in Melbourne, and was very quickly in the groove in his first BA outing.
For the 2005 HPDC V8 Supercar Series the minimum car weight has increased to 1,455 kg – 100 kg more than the Main Series cars. Steve Ellery Racing’s Team Manager, John McLean, said, “The extra weight no doubt changes the cars’ handling, braking and acceleration characteristics, but we believe we have prepared the Kanga Loaders Racing BA Falcon for Gary to do the job.”
With testing almost completed – and everybody happy with the speed shown by the Kanga Loaders Racing BA – as so often happens in this - sometimes cruel - sport the car had a very high-speed, side-on impact with the concrete wall at the end of Willowbank’s pit straight. HANS devices, now compulsory in the category, showed their worth and Gary MacDonald escaped unscathed, but the Kanga Loaders Racing BA was battered and bruised, with most suspension and drivetrain parts needing replacement.
Thorough inspection of the Kanga Loaders BA the following day confirmed that Steve Ellery Racing’s only option for Kanga Loaders to compete in the Clipsal Development Series round was the tried, tested – and successful – AU, the car that achieved equal first points in the 2004 Konica Minolta Series.
SER ran the ex#30 AU Falcon for Kanga Loaders Racing at Bathurst 2004 where, but for a racing incident with two corners of the 25 laps to go, Gary MacDonald would have achieved a very creditable fourth place.
The Kanga Loaders Racing Falcon AU #41 will compete in the HPDC V8 Supercar Series races at the Clipsal 500 meeting in Adelaide from 17 to 19 March.
Steve Ellery Racing also chose the occasion to launch its new website. For test day pics and future news and results go to: www.steveelleryracing.com.au
Release Date: 16/03/2005
Kanga Loaders Racing - SER
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