Well ... it dawned fine and cool, with a touch of humidity and blossomed into a near perfect day for the track. The sunshine of late morning succeeded in warming up the track and a number of drivers found that as a result of the conditions they actually went quicker in the morning session than they did in the timed sessions of the afternoon, when it became a little overcast cooling down the track and finally threatened rain. Rain did eventually arrive, but only after the last car had left the track for the day.

The morning session was characterised by the odd spin as some cars were looking for grip before the track started to get warm. With this years track day only a week away from Targa Tasmania some took it easy, perhaps in case they should break something, whilst others hammered their cars on the basis that if something did break or fail, then it was better at Sandown than somewhere in the wilds of Tasmania.

Others involved in circuit racing, but with a day off, took advantage of the situation to fine tune the car for the next race. A few like Tom Warwick just came along for the morning session to at least ensure some part of their day had plenty of zing. Must have been the best part of Tom=s day as the Bombers lost the football game he went to! Most, however were there for the experience and the chance to improve their skills.

Leading Times by Maserati Club Members Timed Session
Category	Driver	Time	Car
FTD Quickest Maserati Quickest Ferrari Quickest Jaguar Quickest Japanese Quickest Porsche Under1600 cc 1600 to 2000 cc 2000 cc to 3000 cc 3000 cc to 5000 cc Over 5000 cc	Rusty French Jon Sheiman Scott Shearman Peter Eames Jeff Beable Rusty French Harry Williams Steve Chiodo No one Jeff Beable Rusty French	1:19:59 1:39:44 1:26:15 1:32:53 1:24:35 1:19:59 1:39:15 1:33:44 1:24:35 1:19:59	Porsche 911 GT2 Maserati Ghibli GT Ferrari Testarossa Jaguar XJS Nissan 200SX Porsche 911 GT2 Caterham S7 Lotus Elise Nissan 200SX Porsche 911 GT2

As usual at Maserati days there was a good roll up with a wide range of marques represented. There was a contingent of Jaguar XJS's which added another facet to the already colourful and varied line up of cars. Michael Roddy in one whilst having troubles with grip managed to put in some very quick times indeed. Phil Ryan in his S3XJS was having so much fund and did so many laps he ran out of petrol on the back straight - he drove it to the last drop! There of course was a range of Ferrari=s and Scott Shearman with a Dot 5 racing brake fluid showed that Ferrari Testarossa's do have brakes that work. In one extended spell of five timed laps he put in some extremely quick times in the low 1:26's. Travelling at the same pace was Joe Vodopic in the very quick F355 Challenge. There wasn't much between them all day.

Heading up a small flotilla of Nissan 200SX=s was Jeff Beable who showed everyone, just how quick one of these cars can really go. Jeff=s time of 1:24.35 showed how a talented and skilful driver can really get the best out of a car. The Nissan 200SX is becoming an increasingly popular car for track days and rallies, when you see Jeff Beable drive one you can understand why.

It was also a pleasant site to see two late model Maserati Ghibilis at Sandown. One being Andrew Gregory=s Ghibli Cup Car getting ready for Targa and the other, John Sheiman's Ghiblit GT being relieved of commuter journeys for a day out. Alan Michael did a few laps in his BMW M3 which had less than delivery miles on it. Warwick Freemantle did a few quiet laps in his very smart Nissan GTR and there were many other cars of interest as well. Mathew Bryson was there in his works Escort which was nearly as terrifying as Peter Kyriakidis in his Escort RS with the full alloy BTA motor. What a weapon that was.

The pointy end of the field however was taken up by two Porsches: the Porsche 968 RS Turbo of Ojars Balodis and the Porsche 911 GT2 of Rusty French. It was a pity that Simon Froude was not there in his Porsche 911RS. Ojars although slightly quicker in the morning session put up a !:22.50 in the afternoon Timed lap sessions in his car which is running in the Porsche Cup series this year. Despite this very quick time, it was not quite quick enough. Rusty French in the Porsche 911 GT2 town car, complete with air conditioning and CD player (the other GT2 is the Porsche Cup Car) cruised around to Sibelius in the morning in 1:21:65. Later in the day, he turned off the CD player and recorded a 1:19:59. Not quite as quick as the 1997 Annual Spring Track Day (1:19:47) when the car was only a few months old. But then again, I did notice Rusty ate a big lunch. Well done Rusty, FTD is always a great effort!

The best times recorded by drivers on the day, firstly for the familiarisation session of the morning and then in the Time Session in the afternoon are shown in the table below.

As always Club track days require a team effort and a lot of people were involved in the team that added up to a great day for all concerned. My thanks to those many official who worked so hard in Documentation, Scrutineering, Credentials, Catering and as Pit Marshalls and Flag Marshalls. Special thanks to Greg Aimers who did a great job in Timing. Special thanks to David Floyd of the Alfa Romeo Club who once again gave up his time to act as Deputy Clerk of Course. Thanks also to Norman May who gave David great assistance throughout the day ... and finally joined the Club! Great decision!

We must have been doing something right as 3 or 4 new memberships resulted from the day. One of these was a member of the Porsche Club, who had come not to participate in our Track Day, but to see the Teddy Bear Exhibition that was being run in the grand stand, and who, like many other Teddy Bear fanciers, spent most of the day spectating trackside.

Importantly, I am also happy to report that Chris Armstrong, who piloted the red Nissan 200SX in the morning session is not going to take up flying ... but plans to be back on the circuit again in his repaired and somewhat chastened car. We'll look forward to seeing you all at Winton on June 21.