HQ16"
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Welcome to SMART-RACING's Home Page.
SMART Racing Link

SMART RACING TEAM GOES TWO UP


                       
          Gary's HQ 16                                                Caroline's HQ 61

2018 Racing Update  Gary and Caroline are looking forward to a better year in 2018 over their 2017 season.   Mechanical and medical hurdles beset the team for much of the year but with Q16's Engine coming out of the engine bay for another revamp and the Q61 already to rumble (including the driver), 2018 is shaping up as an improvement on our 2017 results.


Many thanks to the NAMSC Committee and devoted volunteers that organise and assist throughout the year with holding the events at Hidden Valley

Also thanks to our crew throughout the year - Bevan O'Connor - Rob Sutton - Nick Sutton - Dave Willmette - Kerry James - Noel Trembath - Andrew McBride

And as always, our appreciation for the excellent support from our sponsors - SMART-NT, KC's Fireworks Darwin, ARB Darwin, Arafura Crash Repairs and ATIC Mechanical

Our proposed racing calendar for 2016 has been posted on our Facebook page - you can check our progress at
SMART Racing Link.

Special Thanks To The SRT Sponsors

Advertising space for sale if anyone is interested in helping out.
Full proposal can be sent to assess advertising benefits.


PRIMARY SPONSOR

ARB Darwin Link


MAJOR SPONSORS
KCs Fireworks Link

MEDIUM SPONSORS


TEAM SUPPORTERS
ATIC Logo Link

A HISTORY OF OUR MOTORSPORT EXPERIENCES
                            1973 HQ Holdens x 2           

2017  New engines, new paint and graphics didn't unfortunately give the SMART Racing Team the jump it needed to make some inroads into our racing season.   A mid season decrease in power for the Q16 (Piston number two was found to be well down on compression) made the rest of the season a hard push for any degree of success.   Caz's season in the Q61 was cut short due to medical requirements but is fit and well for the upcoming 2018 season.   Q16's engine will again be pulled out over the off season for another revamp and we look forward to a strong 2018 season. SMART Racing is also please to announce the corporate support of ATIC Performance as a sponsor for our racing season. You can check SMART-Racing's activities on our Facebook page
SMART Racing Link.

                           1973 HQ Holdens x 2           

2016  IT was a mixed bag of results for the SMART Racing Team, mechanical gremlins plagued us throughout the year resulting in a total rebuild for the two engines in 2017.   Both gearboxes were also revamped in preperation for the2017 season.   Both cars were quick at times but ultimately, the lack of horsepower (and you don't get a lot to play with in a Holden 202 to start with :) made it a difficult year for pointy end results.   The team however ensured it had a great time off the track as well as on track.   You can check SMART-Racing's activities on our Facebook page
SMART Racing Link.

                      2014 Suburu & 1977 Mini Moke       

2015  The family loaded up the Suburu XV and the Moke for another swing at the 2015 Rejex Rall.   Whilst Caz had the driving duties in the Suburu (with Dayna as the Navigator), the Moke had Kira as the pilot (and Gaz in the Navigator's seat).   Travelling from Darwin to Katherine over a two day period, over 50 cars (ranging from the early 1910's up to late model vehicles) competed at various motorkana events at many of the old WWII airstrips scattered along the Stuart Hwy.   Although we didn't win anything, our time over the two days was a great family outing with Caz and Kira doing very well at various skill tests.   Plans now in place to find a better vehicle for next year to have a real run at it.   You can check SMART-Racing's activities on our Facebook page
SMART Racing Link.

                      1973 HQ Holdens x 2             

2014  This year will be pretty much a gap year due to the upgrades of the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex racing venue.   Our only participation this year was to take part in the Sponsors Day on the 9th November. This day gave our valued sponsors a chance to have a run around the track as a small thank you for their continued support.   Whilst Brad Clarke (Arafura Crash Repairs) and Sylvia Tavener (Channel 10 Darwin) were unable to attend due to prior commitments, Mark Cockburn and Bevan O'Conner from ARB Darwin came along and put in a few sessions. You can check their efforts around the circuit by clicking on the facebook link
SMART Racing Link.

                        1973 HQ Holdens x 2             

2012 - 2013  SRT becomes a two car team during 2012. Both cars are in the process of paint and graphics, both new engines, new control tyre and a new transporter to carry the cars around.  Having closed to within 3 seconds of Gary's lap times at Hidden Valley, and not content to sit on the side lines, the race team has now increased in size by one, with Caroline hopping in the seat of her own HQ for the 2013 season.   Mission objective - catch Gary.

Update - V8 Supercar Weekend - June, 2012, Darwin
HQ Division                        - Gary                               2nd
                                          - Caroline                          5th

HQ NT Championships       - Gary                               2nd
                                          - Caroline                          3rd

                      1973 HQ Holden                   

2006-2011  Administrative duties with both the Committee at Northline Speedway and Sprintcars Australia (SCCA), time constraints pulled Gary towards HQ racing as a fun outlet for the need for speed (well sort of anyway).   Definately a lot of fun around the Darwin 2.9 km circuit although the front straight at 1.1 km long can take some time traversing.


                      HSV Clubsport R8                   

2004  Smart Racing packed up the F250 and 5th Wheeler trailer with Clubby R8 on board and made the 5,000km trek to Sydney NSW from Darwin to compete in the NSW Dutton Rally.   And what an event. Great time, great competitors and great driving tests. Hardest part was being so unfamiliar with the various test areas with no sighting laps so little chance to learn where the corners/straights went (hill climbs and Eastern Creek being the hardest). Absolute speed weekend, thoroughly enjoyed by Gary (7th overall in the V8 Division) and Caroline (Outright first in Co Driver V8 Division),


                      1969 850 Mini                     
                      1994 VR Clubsport R8              
                      1973 Califonia Moke                
                      1996 Hyundai Excel                
                      2005 BA GT Ford                  
                      2009 WRX STi Subaru Impreza        

2000 - 2010  Rejex Rally Cars.   Gary and Caroline had competed over a 10 year period in the NT Rejex Rally.   The Rally starts at the Darwin CBD area and involves various Motokana events held on WWII abandoned airstrips along the Stuart Hwy, finishing in either Katherine, Daly River or Hayes Creek. Between the two of them, they have finished outright first on 5 occasions.


                      Calibra NASCAR                  

1999 - 2000  Gary co-managed the Tropical Thunder Motor Sports Group.   Primarily utlised the NASCAR's as a race training and ride experience tool so he never had the opportunity to go head to head with a full field of these cars.   A handful on a circuit track with accelaration up there with a V8 Supercar (lack of brakes at the end of the straight plus left hand drive made it interesting)


                      1998 Maxim 360 Sprintcar          

2000   Caroline's turn to have a crack at sprintcar racing. Thoroughly enjoyed her time in the car but racing was cut short due to pregnancy.   Although only a short stint, Caroline achieved a second place in the Katherine 360 Sprintcar Titles.


                      1999 Maxim 360 Sprintcar          

1995 - 2000   Having watched Sprintcars at Speedway City in the early 1980's, Gary finally had the opportunity to play in one.   Over the period of 5 years, Gary raced in Darwin, Katherine and Kununurra (WA) and managed to win a couple of heats, one track record and bags of excitement.


                        FZR 1000 Yamaha                

1988 - 1994   Racing mainly at Hidden Valley on the then 2.8 km road racing circuit, Gary initially raced a CBR 1100 Honda before graduating to an FZR 1000 Yamaha.   Gary held the outright Lap Record on 3 occasions and on the last occasion, held it for a period of 18 months.   Gary also put in an appearance at Phillip Island (awesome track) and Winton.