The beginning of the 2018-19 season has been a strong one for the Bunbury, WA-based Pittard Racing team, with team drivers Chad Pittard and Ash Hounsfield having already picked up a feature-race win apiece and numerous minor podium results.
It’s been thanks to their consistency that both Pittard and Hounsfield have managed to bank enough points to retain a spot towards the pointy end of the WA Wingless Sprint Club Championship point score.
Getting his 2018-19 season campaign underway in the best possible fashion at Kellerberrin Speedway back in September, Pittard was unstoppable in the opening round of the WA Club Championship, securing pole position and leading from start to finish to claim the win, while Hounsfield was unfortunately unable to make it out for the feature race, due to a mechanical issue.
Travelling to Narrogin Speedway in October for round two of the Club Championship, this time it was Hounsfield who proved himself as a force to be reckoned with in the feature race, mounting the pressure on the race leader from second place, where he ultimately finished. Following technical issues in his opening heat race, Pittard’s night was brought to a premature end.
A pleasing drive from both Hounsfield and Pittard in the third Club Championship round at the Perth Motorplex resulted in them crossing the finish line second and third respectively, while the most recent round at Collie Speedway delivered a mixed outcome for the team.
Lining up alongside pole-sitter Hounsfield for the feature race, it was Pittard who powered into the early lead, having pipped his 29-year-old teammate; however, an electrical fault while leading the race robbed Pittard of the victory, leaving Hounsfield to clinch top honours in what was a positive outcome for the team under the circumstances.
Despite each experiencing some misfortune so far this season, Hounsfield and Pittard’s efforts have currently cemented them within the top three of the Club Championship point score, with Hounsfield leading and Pittard sitting in third.
“We’ve had plenty of speed so far this season and it’s been a good start for the whole team, and goal is for that to continue throughout the rest of the season,” enthused Pittard.
“In addition to the rest of the team who work hard to give us competitive cars, we’ve also got some amazing support behind us for each of our sponsors, so we’re glad to be able to repay them with results on the track.”
In addition to contesting the full WA schedule, including the WA Title at Kalgoorlie International Speedway over the Australia Day long weekend (January 26 and 27), the team may also contest the Australian Championship at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway in Victoria on February 22 and 23 but that is going to depend on budget.
Their next outing will be this Saturday night when they make their second appearance for the season at the Perth Motorplex for the fifth WA Club Championship round, followed by round six on home soil at Bunbury Speedway on December 1 and round seven at the Perth Motorplex on December 26.
Pittard Racing would like to thank their 2018-19 season sponsors for their support: Foton Australia, Century Batteries, Moyle Engines and Race Parts, Mobil 1, Bunbury Kart Centre, Auto Panel and Paint, Pittard Motors, and On2it Graphics.
Hounsfield would like to thank the entire Pittard family, his brother Jason and his crew member Jayden Davis, while Pittard is thankful for the support of his dad (Ray), the Hounsfield family, Mick, Vaughan, and Ralph.
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