Successful Year for Chapmans Offroad Racing in both Australian & Qld Series

Queensland young guns Clayton Chapman & navigator Adam McGuire are excited about becoming the AORC Production 4WD Class Champions for 2009. Clayton said that he didn’t expect to win but was really hoping that he could and gave it his best shot. They got off to a shaky start to the championship in Hyden, completing one section only due to electrical gremlins, and then disappointingly completed only 190km of the Race at Finke due to valve problems. Having sorted these issues the Triton has been very reliable for the last 3 rounds allowing Clayton to place 1st in each one. Geoff Pickering who has held the title for the past 8 years, congratulated the boys on their win and is looking forward to challenging them again next year.

Clayton is grateful to CAMS for the opportunity to attend the Offroad Driver Development camps at the AIS this year. He has really valued the things he has learnt there and been able to put in to practice when he is competing. He has received support from many people over the past year. Clayton & Adam have also shown dedication & commitment, in that when they are not racing, they have spent numerous hours in the workshop with Rob, checking and preparing the cars for the next events.

Rob Chapman & navigator Ross Challacombe are also happy with their 2nd place in the Extreme 4WD Class in the AORC. The Pajero was new for this year and completed 4 of the 5 rounds successfully. Rob said he is very happy with that and is intending to replace the naturally aspirated 3.5l engine, with something that will give him a tad more horsepower.

This is the first year that the Chapmans Offroad Racing Team has competed in all the rounds of the AORC, and they are more than happy with the results they have achieved. They have also enjoyed the friendships they have developed and the new people they have met. Rob said, “Offroaders really are a great bunch of people.”

It really has been a mammoth year, because as well as the AORC, the Chapmans have run 3 vehicles in all 7 rounds of the Queensland Offroad Series for 2009.

With a successful final round at Hirstglen, (1st in class & 2nd outright), results in Clayton & Adam placing 1st in Production 4wd Class and 6th outright in the Qld series.

After achieving an outright win at Hirstglen, Rob & Ross have placed 1st outright in the Qld series and 1st in Extreme 4wd Class. Leila Chapman & navi Melissa Huxstep competing in the twin turbo Pajero placed 2nd in Extreme 4wd Class & 15th outright after competing in all of the 7 rounds as well.

Rob, Clayton & Leila would like to thank Cooper Tires, Penrite Oils, Staun Racing, Nambour Radiator Works, A Vision Windscreens, Allset Springs, Autobarn Gympie and Red Hot Shotz Photography for their sponsorship, and the support of their pit crew, which has enabled them to realise their aspirations.

 Hirstglen Short Course

 Qld Series Final Round

      13 & 14 November 2009

The final round of the Qld Offroad Series was held at Hirstglen on a 6.5 km track, with each heat being 4 laps. It was a great mix of fast straights & technical sections through the trees. It was a good buggy/tin top equaliser. After prologue, which was a single lap of the course, Rob finished 1st outright in his Extreme 4wd Pajero, and Clayton finished 3rd outright in his Production 4wd Triton.

 

 

 

 

 

After 4 heats over the weekend, Rob finished 1st outright & 1st in Extreme 4wd Class. It was an exciting battle between Rob in his Pajero & Russell Hartnett in his pro buggy for outright position. Disappointingly for Russell, a broken axle on his very last lap put an end to his chances.  Clayton driving his Production 4wd Class Triton finished 2nd outright & 1st in class. Joe Bulmer in his Jimco Probuggy, finished 3rd outright and Jared Melville in his 1650 buggy came in 4th. There were only 2mins between the top 4 placings. Leila driving the twin turbo Pajero finished 2nd in Extreme 4wd class & 6th outright.