The Australian Sports/GT Intermarque Championship 2007
Round 5 Winton Raceway 25/26 August ‘07 
Character Building Weekend for XCARZ Team

The XCARZ/Q Trading/Capital Corp Finance/Hydraulink/Just Nice Cars Porsche race team, including driver Scott Lyddiard, were looking forward to the 1 hour enduro event after recording a podium finish at the previous round of the series at Queensland Raceway. 

Practice

Scott ran free practice on Friday on used tyres using the time to familiarize himself with the testing Winton layout. The decision was made to continue with used tyres for Saturday’s official practice preferring to save the new tyres for qualifying, although Scott was certainly looking forward to getting on to the new rubber and setting some competitive times.

Qualifying

The car was fitted with new Pirellis for the qualifying session and, this being the first time Pirellis had been used by the team, expectations were high. Unfortunately a deflating tyre compromised the performance of the car and Scott was forced to return to the pits early in the session having completed only 5 laps. The team was unable to rectify the problem within the time remaining in the session and Scott was left with 12^th place after qualifying.

Race 1
Race 1, a short 5 lapper on Sunday morning, was another chance to put the Pirellis to the test. A good start from the 12^th grid spot saw Scott climbing up to 10^th on the first lap before finishing the race in 11^th, the 1^st  A Class car home. 

Race 2
Race 2 was a 1 hour enduro with a compulsory pit stop, and once again Scott was electing to complete the journey solo. Starting from position 11, another good start had Scott as high as 9^th place on the opening lap, then on the second lap 8^th before contact with another competitor damaged the left front corner of the car and cut the tyre. A quick visit to the pits for a replacement tyre and Scott was back on the track only to return one later complaining of a brake problem. While the team could find no obvious fault, and with the car now exhibiting a full brake pedal it was decided to send the car out again. But it was not to be. After 1 more lap Scott pitted again and the cause of the problem was now obvious. The left front wheel bearing had collapsed, no doubt as a result from the earlier contact, allowing the disc rotor to push the brake pads back into the caliper. Without enough time to effect repairs the car was parked.

Summary
Points-wise the weekend was not good at all, Scott earning only 10 points, which drops him to 3^rd outright in the championship, although he remains at 2^nd in the Class A standings. The entire table is however subject to review, as some controversy has erupted over the way points have been awarded to second drivers during the enduro rounds. Any adjustment will however not adversely affect Scott, as he has completed these rounds as a sole driver.

Scott and the entire XCARZ/Q Trading/Capital Corp Finance/Hydraulink/Just Nice Cars team are now eager to get to round 6 at Calder Park, where Scott has proven to be competitive in the past.

Viper For Lyddiard

Scott Lyddiard, currently holding second place outright in his A Class XCARZ/Q Trading/Capital Corp Finance/Hydraulink/Just Nice Cars Porsche 911 , has announced his intention to move up to Open Class with the acquisition of the 2006 GT Championship winning Dodge Viper of Greg Crick. The deal includes a complete spares inventory and assistance with engineering and set-up from Crick. 

Scott and his team make the trek to Winton Raceway this weekend looking to consolidate his position on the Sports & GT Intermarque Championship ladder. “The main aim will be to qualify well and race consistently near the front of the field again,” said Scott.

Australian Sports & GT Intermarque Championship Pointscore (Top 10)

 1 Rod Wilson Maserati Trofeo Class A 344 points

2 Scott Lyddiard Porsche 911 Class A 245 points

3 Paul Whitmarsh Porsche 993 GT2 Open 216 points

4 Jim Manolios Maserati Trofeo Class A 205 points

5 Steve Cooper Porsche 911 GT2 Open 182 points

6 Wayne Henning Porsche 996 GT2 Open 176 points

7 Frank Marchese Maserati Trofeo Class A 121 points

8 Ted Huglin Ferrari 360GT Open 117 points

9 Lee Cooper Porsche 993 GT2 Open 112 points

10 Mal Lynn Porsche  GT3 Open 110 points