Hello European Motorsport Fans and welcome to the final event report of the European Performance Car Challenge for this year.

After yet another fantastic day of tyre spinning, sparks flying, flame spitting fun in the sun at Oran Park, the results are in for the Movember Oran Park Trackday proudly sponsored by Rennenhaus!

Firstly, the Hot Hatch Class...

Unfortunately due to a red light running Queensland ‘P’ Platter...the Hot Hatch Class star and multiple ‘Stig’ Award Winner Joey was out of the competition...we are just glad he is okay (that 5 star NCAP safety rating has ensured he will be back on track next year).

Speculation was high that a number of the Hot Hatch front runners declined to race on the day as a mark of fellow respect with the circuit battle between the top 5 set to resume next year in the new series...now that is sportsmanship!

Back to racing though...new circuit contender Anthony M wasted no time if setting some hot laps with a time of 54.7540 sec. Being the only Euro hot hatch at the event though we couldn’t just hand him the prizes...so we added some rice...

Joining Anthony on the circuit was Steven, Henry and Nick in some equally quick Honda’s and a Mirage with a Turbo?

The win though went to Nick in his 98 kw Civic on 30.8 pts and a best time of 52.3730 sec, just ahead of Steven in his ‘No V Tech’ CRX with 26.8 pts and a time of 57.8630 sec, with both Anthony and Henry coming in on equal third on 25.6 pts.

Sports Coupe Class...

With Mark and his 968 absent from the Grid (winner from the last event and one of the only competitors thus far to give Jeff a run for his money) it looked like a clean win for Jeff in the Autopia 135...however circuit regular Ian had made the trek from Goulburn in his limited edition Mercedes Black to stamp his name and his lap times on this soon to be closed circuit.

As always Jeff exploded from the blocks setting the fastest time of the day of 50.8030sec - and winning $100 worth of prizes from Rennenhaus and $100 from Sureflo Exhaust as winner of the ‘Circuit Breaker’ Award!

Ian was hot on his heels however and just 0.4 seconds of the pace (considering the 400kg weight disadvantage) setting a best time of 51.2030 with new comer Ron only the space of a blink behind them on 51.7500 sec.

Ron may have been the slowest of the three on the outright timing board, however he took the win on his first epcc.net.au track day debut with 22 pts. Jeff was just 0.6 pts behind with Ian rounding of the category on 21 pts.

Can’t wait to see all three of those on the circuit next year!

Open Class...

There was a great mix of cars in the open class with vehicles ranging from the iconic Ford Escort to Holden’s ground shaking HSV GTS Monaro - with some equally eye opening lap times being set.

At the End of the day though there can be only one, and this event is was Smilie in his Ford Hardtop on 56.8 pts and with a best time of 52.4290 sec...which he set twice! 2nd place was Matt in his Mazda MX5 on 53.6 pts and a best time of 55.6370 sec not too far ahead of Zak, in the new WRX on 45.6 pts and with a best time on the day of 54.1430.

Enough Jibba Jabba on to the class winners...the only award competitors care about is the ‘Stig’ award.

This event the award for the fastest driver...not the fastest car, goes to Matt in the mighty Mazda MX5 on 24.2993 ahead of Nick and Steven both in Hondas in the 24 pt range...nice work Matt – what do they put in those JDM drinks these days?

Each of the above winners receive $100 each to spend at Rennenhaus, with Jeff and Matt both receiving a bonus $100 from Sureflo Performance Exhaust...not to forget earning valuable points for the $4000 worth of prizes in the winners circle at the end of the year!

The final end of year results are up now on the website – where did you place? What did you win? Where are you going to be on the podium next year?

Special thanks to Ian from Rennenhaus – for not only sponsoring the final event of the series, but for manning the Movember BBQ and raising another $400 for men’s health! Also to Greg and the Boys at Sureflo Performance Exhaust, Ben Porter and David Reynolds from the Luff Dog school of Driving Excellence for the expert driver training, the marshals, Narada, Tim, Daniel, Ivan and especially Jayne and the rest of the Circuit Club Team for another successful event.

Want to be part of all the action excitement and get your hands on some prizes next year? Then keep your eyes on the epcc.net.au website, the epcc FaceBook Page and twitter for the latest news as it comes to hand - next year is really going to be something special!

Drive Smart, Drive Fast, Drive Safe, have a great holiday break and catch you trackside next year for a whole lot more tyre spinning fun in the sun. .


Stay tuned for full event photography, race footage and placing results all coming soon.