It was wet, windy and cold but Bathurst driver Matt Woodward is feeling good after completing the first round of the 2020 Series X3 Excel season on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Woodward, of Woodduck Motorsport, was behind the wheel of his Hyundai Excel on Sunday at Wakefield Park and after an awkward moment in qualifier, he powered on to record some solid finishes in his three races at the Goulburn track.
"We made some changes straight up for qualifying due to the rain and already having a dry setup car," he said.
"We went out and all of a sudden, three laps in, the car boot pops open and everyone was waving at me.
"Yeah, we didn't push it down hard enough. We came in closed the boot and ended up qualifying ninth in the rain."
In his first race, Woodward finished ninth, just under 30 seconds behind the leading driver Will Longmore.
Woodward would then go to finished ninth again in the second race, which was also taken out by the dominant Longmore driver.
The Bathurst driver would then improve slightly in his third and final race, recording a sixth place, however, Longmore won again.
"It wasn't a bad result after not being in the car for three months," Woodward said.
"It ended up being a day of nines.
"First race we moved up a few positions but unfortunately hit some dirt and mud on the track and went for a bit of a skid off the track, but still finished ninth.
"Second race was probably one of my worst starts in my Excel career. I dropped down to 15th in the pouring rain but we worked it back up to ninth again.
"I'm feeling pretty good after the days efforts but came away with a straight but dirty car."
The next round of the Series X3 Excel will be on May 9-10 at the Sydney Motorsport Park.
The competition was launched in 2015 in order to create a low budget entry level category for Hyundai Excel Series X3 Race Vehicles within CAMS or AASA.
The class is strictly controlled through National CAMS regulations meaning that the emphasis is on a driver's race craft and car setup, rather not all about horse power or who has the largest wallet.
The category is based around Series X3 competition vehicles including and limited to Hyundai Excel X3 models manufactured between 1994-2000, with all model iterations of GX, GL, LX, GLX and Sprint eligible.
Woodward thanked his sponsors which includes NED Whisky, Bathurst Spray FX, Alpha Signs Bathurst, Nathan Baldi Holmes, Evan Deveney Painting and Decorating, Bent Threads Menswear and Devro Pty Ltd.
"This wouldn't be happening if I didn't have some awesome sponsors and I want to thank you all for your support," he said.