Gerald Reid of Springwood Car Care in action at round two of the Australian Off Road Championship in Goondiwindi this month and (inset) being interviewed at the event. Photos: Chantall Photographix.
An impressive result in the second round of the Australian Off Road Championship has Springwood mechanic Gerald Reid looking forward to the next event in South Australia in September.
Gerald and navigator Aaron Saliba came third in the Pro Buggy Class — and fourth overall — from a 74 car start during round two of the championship in Goondiwindi from August 3-5.
Racing in his USA-built Pro Buggy for only the second time, Gerald outlasted many of the better-funded teams to complete the 400km endurance event.
He started the weekend qualifying 20th before moving up the field to 10th on Saturday following the 80km first lap. After some overnight repairs, Gerald’s car — powered by a 600hp 6.0L Chev Engine — survived the final 320km of racing on Sunday.
“By the end of it you’re just wrecked — mentally and physically,” he said of the course which can see cars hitting speeds of up to 220km/hr.
Gerald spent three months building his Pro Buggy’s motor after shipping the car from the United States last December.
With sponsorship from Lawson business Carbon Management Solutions, he hopes to have it running like a well-oiled machine for the 2013 championships.
“My goal this year is just to get the car sorted out . . . [and] get as many kilometres until I feel comfortable with it, and then next year have more of a go at the championship,” he said.
The Millicent Pines 400 in South Australia will be held from September 7-9.