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Round 1 2012 - Bathurst Wrap Up
Things didn't start out the best. In practise, Kelli went out full of confidence, only to have her time cut short, when she threw a belt on her first flying lap.
She limped it back to the dummy grid, and then got towed back to the pits. A new belt, and pulley later, she was back and ready to attack the track in Qualifying.
"Lined up for qualifying, at dummy grid, I noticed the power light come on. I knew it wasnt a belt, so I decided to go anyway, as I needed to get some laps in, otherwise I wouldn't get to race.
The car was gutless as, but handled amazing."
The cause of the power issue was later determined to be a faulty plug for the alternator
Race 1 Kelli got a great start, but then got boxed in, when some cars moved over to avoid a stalled car on the grid. Starting from 28th position, She finished in 25th.
Race 2. Another brilliant start, Kelli had passed 3 cars, and then disaster struck
"I went to hit 3rd, and the car just went BANG, and the rear of the car just jumped in the air. I couldn't get any gears, and then I pretty much just braced for impact. Car's where screaming past me either side, and I could see Mark behind me and I tried to signal for him to pass, but he couldnt go anywhere, as there were too many cars either side. Luckly he didn't hit me".
Kelli managed to roll around through turn 1, where one of the recovery guys came over and helped her get the car in gear using a great deal of force, and Kelli limped back to the pits, where a shattered clutch was found.
Race 3, Kelli started rear of grid. She managed to keep out of trouble, and improve to finish 25th.
"It wasn't the weekend, I had planned on having, but I finished the last race, drove my car onto my trailer, and went home in 1 peice. I didn't finish last, so that was a bonus.But next time - I plan to kick some serious butt!!"