By Daniel Powell
In what turned out to be a survival of the fittest; Brendan Palmer ended up finishing the 2010 Australian Speedcar Title last weekend at Avalon Raceway (Geelong, VIC) in a fantastic second place on the podium.
After just scrapping into the Australian Title deciding feature race field in 17th position, Palmer kept out of trouble throughout the 40 lap event and was one spot shy of the victory.
“If someone had said to me at the beginning of the weekend that I’d be finishing second in the Australian Title I would’ve in all honestly laughed at them as the field was just so strong but we managed to do it,” admitted the QLD # 41 Super Geek supported Ed Pink Ford powered Breka driver. “To finish second is an outstanding effort and heading into the feature race I was just glad that I got into the field. Throughout the feature race I just kept a steady pace and conserved the tyres and it paid off.”
The weekend for Palmer and the team didn’t start in the best of fashion as they sat 13th on points at the completion of the opening night. The second night didn’t get any better for them as they dropped to 17th in points after the fourth and final heat race and they just managed to scrap into a direct feature race transfer.
“We missed the setup completely on the opening night as we had prepared our car for a slick track but it stayed pretty hooky,” explained Palmer. “In the feature race we were just happy to make the field and we went in with the attitude of having it all to gain and nothing to lose. We went with the hardest tyre compound we had on the rears and also used the setup from the Western Springs 50 lapper over in New Zealand and rewarded us with a great result.”
One of the major highlights from the weekend, aside from his Australian Title podium result, for Palmer was that his major sponsor Chris from Super Geek was present to witness without a doubt the result of his career thus far in Speedway.
“I couldn’t have picked a better weekend for Chris to come down and witness. For him to be part of such a result was simply awesome,” he said. “Chris was over moon with the weekend and it certainly encouraged him to keep supporting our team.”
Palmer would like to thank the following supporters in the 09/10 season: SuperGeek – Chris, Tony and the girls www.supergeek.com.au , Naylor Painters, Wreck or Mend Panels, Michael Naylor, Ripper Lube Service, Kador Engineering, Showpiece Signs and Designs, Tim Clark for all his endless help and advice, Dan Occhipinti, Mark Holt, Jamie Williams, Mum, Dad and Dave Palmer.
To find out more about Brendan Palmer visit his official website: www.q41racing.com