Macdonald second best at BIS
Sunday April 29, 2007

Nathan ventured to Brisbane International Speedway on Saturday night (17th March), but could not manage any better than second place all night, as he placed second in al three heats and the final, with Martin Cross taking the feature race win.

Heat one of the night saw Nathan Macdonald take an early lead, while Martin Cross started his surge from the back of the field.  Cross had made his way into 2nd place with a few laps remaining, as Macdonald ran wide in turn two allowing Cross into the lead.  Cross never looked back and took the heat win with Macdonald in 2nd and Darran Lester in 3rd.  Bernie Wright didn't have a great start to the night, after brushing the wall and wrecking the steering in his centura.  Bernie would be out for the night.  Shane Hollyman was running third until an ignition problem forced him onto he infield.  Hollyman would not race again after failing to find the problem.

Heat two saw saw Stewart Fricker race to the lead from position three on the grid.  Fricker lead the field away for the first half of the race until Martin Cross stormed ahead from the back of the field to slide up the inside of Fricker up the back straight.  Fricker then lost a wheel after a wheel bearing had failed which brought on the yellow lights.  A restart with two laps to go saw Martin out in front, followed by Nathan Macdonald and Troy Richards.  As the race got underway again, Macdonald was right on the hammer hoping for a mistake from Cross, but Marty kept a smooth line and crossed the line in first, followed by Macdonald and Troy Richards.

 It was Martin Cross' turn to start on the front row for heat three with Troy Richards on the outside.  Martin broke away to an early lead, as Nathan Macdonald got up the inside of Troy Richards into 2nd, but under steered towards the wall, letting Richards back through.  Macdonald charged back around the outside of Richards in turn one and two.  Macdonald was able to reel in race leader Cross, as he pulled up the inside of the leader but couldn't make it stick.  Macdonald suffered a vibration mid-race which ultimately was the right hand rear tyre letting go.  With one lap to go Macdonald's tyre let go completely and was able to just cruise around and hold on for 2nd place with Troy Richards in 3rd.

With three heat wins to his name, Martin Cross was to start from pole position, with Nathan Macdonald on the outside, making it an all Holden front row, followed by Troy Richards and Anthony Pearce.  As the green flag waved Martin Cross got the better start, leading away Macdonald.   Macdonald got a run up the inside of Cross up the back straight, but Cross maintained the lead.  The two Commodores of Cross and Macdonald were an even match in the final, as Cross was stronger on the straights but Macdonald exceeded in the turns.  Martin stole the show and the night in what was one of his best nights of racing.  Cross won the feature ahead of Nathan Macdonald, Troy Richards and Anthony Pearce.

Nathan Macdonald is now at the top of the point score for East Coast A Grade and Martin Cross has moved into 2nd place.  With only a few meetings left there's only 18 points that separate the top three drivers.

Nathan's next race will be at Charlton Raceway on the 31st March 2007, which will be the final ever race for Sprint Sedans at Charlton.  Nathan will be hoping for a good run for the big finale, with several Brisbane cars also venturing up the mountain.  The meeting will also feature sprint cars so make sure you come down and say farewell to Sprint Sedans.

Nathan will be given a big adrenalin rush next Sunday, as he will be jumping out of a plane, yes, skydiving!  Let's hope he comes out unscathed.......stay tuned for more.