Up and down weekend for Trengove at Oran Park

Paul Trengove's return to F4000 competition was probably not what he, or his Ralt Australia team expected last weekend, as the 2004 Holden Australian Drivers championship moved to its third round at Oran Park Raceway. 

Despite showing glimpses of his formidable pace, Trengove battled the car and the backmarkers over the course of the weekend to walk away from the event with a third place and a DNF to his name, his first ever F4000 DNF classification.

Reunited with the Ralt Australia team, and armed with the same car that took him to second in the opening round of the series at Mallala raceway, Trengove was delighted to have home improvement company Stratco on board for the weekend. 

"It's a reality in the motorsport game that lack of funding can end your career, so I am very fortunate that Stratco are supporting me this weekend at Oran Park." 

The one and only 25 minute qualifying session was interrupted by four red flags, meaning no driver was able to properly get heat into the tyres for a super quick lap. Third place on the grid was a solid return for Trengove after a tough session. 

"It's been a tough weekend so far," he commented after the session. "There has been limited time to learn the track properly, due to red flags throughout most of the practice and qualifying sessions. I've still managed to qualify 3rd but I'd like to gain more speed to be any threat to the local front-runners".

Race one, and after making an excellent start Trengove was able to slot in behind the two leaders after challenging for second in the run towards turn one. After that the Stratco Reynard driver was able to run a consistent race en route to a solid third place after the race's 19 laps.

"I'm happy to have finished in 3rd position, but I was never a threat for the lead." He said after the race. "I just have not had enough time in the car this year and just don't know the track well enough. Hopefully I can stay on the back of the front runners and hope for a win in race two." 

After making yet another great start in the second race, a missed gear cost Trengove time as the field ran towards the kink at Oran Park, allowing Nyguen and Terry Clerihan past. Trengove ran behind the Silver Star competitor for the first 7 laps of the race, desperate to find a way through on the tough to pass Sydney track.

After a mistake by Clearihan on lap 7, Trengove was forced to take avoiding action, and launched the car off a kerb, spearing the Stratco Ralt Australia Reynard into the sand trap at over 175kph. It was the First DNF for the South Australian in his F4000 career, after an incredible 12 consecutive podium finishes.

"Im obviously very disappointed." Said Trengove after the race. "My start was good but the missed gear destroyed my race." "I also wasn't thrilled with the behaviour of the slower car ahead of me and unfortunately the only thing they achieved was to ruin my race."

Despite the tough weekend, Paul Trengove motorsport left Oran Park with many positives to take from the weekend, especially the new relationship with Stratco.

"Whilst we qualified well and finished race 1 on the podium, it was a disappointing end having my first DNF in F4000." Said Paul.

"However I was glad that Stratco were on board with us this weekend. They received excellent coverage and the f4000 association were excited having them involved in the category. Hopefully we can negotiate a deal which will see us stronger for the next races"

Round 4 of the F4000 series will be held at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway, on the weekend of July 31st - August 1st.

For more information on Stratco visit www.stratco.com.au

Australian Drivers Championship (after 3 of 5 rounds)

1. McFayden 110
2. Hanger 76
3. Nguyen 58
4. Clearihan 43
5. Trengove 42
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