Pammenter takes out Club Championship
Posted: 09/05/04

The Labour Day long weekend saw the Macdonald Brothers racing around at different venues.  On the Friday night Shane headed to Brisbane International Speedway to race.  Shane drove well in the heats to qualify on the front row of the grid for the feature race.  Macdonald showed good speed after making improvements to his car through the week.  Shane won the feature race comfortably opening up a good lead. 

On Saturday night Nathan Macdonald headed up to Kingaroy to race in the second round of the Tri-series with the East Coast A grade club.  Being his first time to race on the track, Macdonald drew rear for the 1st heat, but fought his way up 2nd, only to find out after the race that the leader had pulled out and didn't finish the race, which gave Macdonald the win.  Macdonald was off the rear again in the 2nd heat, and made his way up to 4th.  Nathan couldn't advance any further, as he was struggling with the very rough track. 

For the 3rd and final heat for the night, Macdonald started on the front row, and got the better start and went straight to the lead.  Nathan took the higher line on the track,  to avoid all the ruts down low.  This seemed to work for him as he opened up a decent lead, and watched several cars pull out due to flat tyres.  After a 4th and two 1st's for the night, Macdonald increased his lead in the tri-series over Paul Zoubakin in the Rotary Mazda, who is currently 2nd and Terry Medcalf in his Ford Falcon who is running 3rd.  

Nathan come back to Charlton Raceway on the Sunday night to compete in the Club Championship.  While Shane raced at Charlton the Saturday night as well, Nathan would have to start from the rear in his heats as he didn't nominate.  After the Saturday night at Charlton, "Rocket" Rodney Pammenter was leading the points chase to qualify for the feature on Sunday night, after winning two heats on Saturday night.  Pammenter kept up his form Sunday night, after qualifying on pole for the 12 lap feature, with Shane Macdonald out of position 2, and Shane Langton from 3.  When the green flag dropped, Pammenter drove straight into the lead, while Shane Langton made his way into 2nd, with Shane Macdonald in 3rd and Nathan Macdonald in 4th.  While running 4th, chasing down his brother, Nathan discovered his steering was getting harder and harder to steer on the once again rough track.  Macdonald held onto 4th for as long as he could until the steering let go completely, Macdonald spinning out onto the infield. 

Back in the race, Shane Macdonald was trying to find a way past Shane Langton, until a big cloud of smoke come from Macdonald's car, forcing him onto the infield.  Shane's disappointment coming from a blown engine.  This most likely putting Macdonald out for the rest of the season.  Still out in front was Rodney Pammenter, with Langton closing in for a challenge.  Langton having a look up the inside of Pammenter on numerous occasions, but having to settle for 2nd.  On his final lap running 4th, Dennis Bullpitt rolled his Holden Commodore onto the roof, ending his season at Charlton in style!  Rodney Pammenter took the Club Championship win with Shane Langton 2nd and Brett Raabe 3rd.  1st Rodney Pammenter     2nd Shane Langton    3rd Brett Raabe.  Shane Langton finished the season at Charlton as highest seasonal point scorer with Rodney Pammenter 2nd and Shane Macdonald 3rd.