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Raj Sharma would like to take this opportunity to wish the sponsors and supporters of the PENTAQ Computers/Blazingbark Wines Ford Falcon XR8 a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Safe New Year.
He would also like thank everyone at the Action Racing Team for preparing and looking after the racing ute throughout the year and is looking forward to another successful association in the 2005 season.
Sharma finished only his second full race season off on a high with a top ten finish at Eastern Creek recently. The Fijian-born, New Zealand-raised Sydney based computer specialist followed up his good Symmons Plains form in the two-round series supporting the final rounds of the V8 Supercar series.
Practice was on a wet and slippery track and the car felt great, handling the conditions and running as high as 8th. Only in the dying minutes did a dry line emerge and some opponents snuck in faster times.
Equipped with fresh Dunlop tyres for a dry qualifier, the PENTAQ Computers/Blazingbark Wines Falcon was not a happy handling machine, struggling barely managing 17th with a 1.54.642, 2.3sec off the pole but only a second off seventh.
After an overnight setup overhaul, Raj hoped for a better package for the first race. Despite a dry track, the surface was extremely slippery and the PENTAQ Computers/Blazingbark Wines Ford struggled, picking up one spot, yet stayed away from any damage. “For race two we further changes, looking for more rear-end grip but with no success, and again the pace was difficult to maintain,” he said.
Starting from 21st, Raj brought his ill-handler up to 16th, “I had a door panel rubbing episode with one of the Holdens on the exit of turn one at 200km/h which was interesting . . . and had to complete the race with a damaged door and broken side view mirror.”
However with good finishes, the PENTAQ Computers/Blazingbark Wines Ford was off position 13 in the final heat of the Kanga Loaders Challenge.
It was the combination strongest show, picking up four slots to be ninth at the finish. Overall Raj and the PENTAQ Computers/Blazingbark Wines Ford Falcon XR8 finished ninth with 75 points, fulfilling a promise to be in the top ten.
He finished without any major damage. “This was a nice end to the season and I must say I am looking forward to the Melbourne F1 event and then the start of our 2005 series with the V8 Supercars at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 in March,” he concluded.
The PENTAQ Computers Ford Falcon XR8 racer is also supported by Blazingbark Wines which has a vibrant Classic White - made from three fruit varieties, including Pinot Gris which gives the initial fruit sweetness, Semillon the excellent palate length and focus, and Chardonnay the mid palate richness. All three varieties lend to the complexity, and harmony of fruit flavours.
Meanwhile the company’s Classic Red is rich, well-rounded and smooth, complex and very long in flavour through the partnership of three varieties of grape; Shiraz, Merlot and Sangiovese.