The 2010 season has been a long and exciting one for Dark Horse Racing, and with the final round of the CUE One Hour Endurance championship being held at none other than the prestigious Phillip Island circuit in Melbourne, DHR’s drivers Ash Miller and Geoff Marsh were eager to tackle the famous sweeping curves.

However, the final round to the 2010 season was almost over before it began – early Friday morning, before the team had even glimpsed the Island circuit for the first time, one team member discovered upon waking in the early hours that the team’s transporter, complete with car and with fellow racer Kerry Finn’s car in tow, was missing. A frantic chase ensued in the team’s hire car, with team member Ray Stewart thankfully spotting the truck heading off down the street in the hands of the thieves.

After the Starsky and Hutch style fanatical chases were finished, the car finally hit the track in earnest on Friday, immediately showcasing why it’s been the car to beat all season.

“Right from the opening session, the car as on form,” driver Ash Miller said.

“We never needed to even tweak the car – it was flying, and it’s a testament to all the hard yards and rigorous attention to detail that has been applied to the car.”

Opening sessions were threatened by looming Phillip Island cloud cover; with the Island’s revelling race goers no strangers to typical Melbourne downpours, wet tyres were never far from being ready to bolt on.

Marsh took to the track first, using his previous knowledge of the circuit to give the DHR machine its maiden Island laps, while Miller donned the class 2C car of Henri Van Roden for the opening sessions – Miller being roped in the as co-driver to bolster his charge on the class 2C championship.

With the car sorted and ready to rumble, it was on to Saturday’s qualifying action. With the field boasting 50 cars, many of which go by such names as Lamborghini, Ford GT, Lotus and Maserati, Qualifying would be an exciting affair. Indeed the weather ensured that the grid was something to remember – with the driver’s session being held  during a heavy downpour, times from the opening Qualifying session were markedly slower than that of the dry-run co-driver’s session. This meant that many of the Australian GT-derived entrants, who run only single drivers, were left languishing in the lower half of the grid, while the plucky co-drivers in MX5′s and other machinary of lesser power were sprung into unfamiliar territory a lomg way up the grid.

The unusual order saw DHR’s machine line up an incredible 17th on a grid of 50 cars for the feature event, with Ash Miller helping Henri van Roden’s entry up into 15th place overall.

This starting order was reflected for the drivers and co-drivers races, which preceded the main event. The driver’s race saw Miller take to the wheel of the #94 machine, to tackle the Island racing for the very first time.

“This place is just so magic, the organisers were right to call it what they have,” Miller commented after Qualifying.

“It’s just so quick, the circuit is so fast and flowing, and our little car might be a bit down on power to the others but it has the most awesome cornering speed. I’m so thrilled to drive this thing here this weekend.”

The drivers race saw Miller bring the car home in 17th place after an eventful hard fought race, run in torrential rain with visibility proving the most major obsticle. That said, there were a couple of hairy moments.

“On the opening lap I had Iain Pretty’s GT40 right behind me, and as I exited the hairpin at Lukey my car aquaplaned and I ended up completely sideways across the track. Iain had to take evasive action, and it was some sort of miracle that the car didn’t end up going all teh way around in front of the pack. There was standing water everywhere, and even on the straight I was flat in 6th and all of a sudden the car would just skate for a few metres. Somehow, the whole experience was more thrilling than anything else!”

The rivers had dried come the co-driver’s race, and Geoff Marsh was handed the reigns to DHR’s challenger, with Miller swapping roles to take the wheel of Henri’s car.

Both drivers made good starts, with Geoff driving faultlessly to collect a couple of positions early on and hold them for the race. Miller, on the other hand, was locked in a battle with Chris Gough’s BMW Z-coupe. The pair swapped positions several times per lap before disaster struck – on the final lap an oddly-placed kill switch meant that Miller’s hand brushed the switch mid-gearchange, and switched the car off. The problem wasn’t discovered until Miller had pulled off the circuit, and by then the car was stuck in the quagmire that had become of the grassy infield.

The results, however, meant that Miller and Marsh won Class E in both the driver’s races, despite battling with fuel surge in the latter’s case. It was time to bring on the main event.

The final One Hour race of the year was held on the Sunday, with early rain looking threatening for the race. With Miller opting to start the race in Henri’s car, and Marsh therefore lining up in the DHR car, both drivers had the unique distinction of starting the same race together. When the lights went out, both driver’s made a clean getaway under grey skies. The quicker cars in the pack behind quickly made their way forwards, and from there, it was a long afternoon of racing.

Fuel saving measures were in place at DHR, with the team using more than was anticipated on the fast, flowing circuit, and Marsh duly did his best to keep the car’s fuel consumption down. Further up, Miller had found another battle on his hands, this time with Matilda Mravavic’s turbo MX5 – the pair were locked in a battle for several laps, until the pitstop window called an end to their duel.

Miller made his stop first, bringing the car in on the 30 minute mark to hand the reigns over to Henri van Roden. Marsh, henceforth, made his stop just 2 laps later, swapping places now with Miller as the latter continued on in the #94 machine. Confusing? Maybe a little.

After the stops had been completed, Miller held a lead of nearly a minute over the next Class E car of David Gainer, and implimented fuel saving measures once again, using the gap as a buffer as he cruised the car home to take 23rd overall on the road, and 1st place in Class E.

Miller’s efforts with van Roden meant that the Class C car finished 21st overall, however, the result in Class C meant that Henri missed out on 2010 Championship honours by just a solitary point.

The cars parked up on the grid for the presentations, with the DHR machine perhaps appropriately placed front and centre, alongside race winner Mark Eddy’s all conquering Audi R8LMS, and Townsend’s rapid Lotus HPE. The final scene on the grid as the cars rolled in was a fitting end to DHR’s 4 year history, and signalled the end to a fantastically successful 2010.

Miller and Marsh were undisputed Class E champions, clean sweeping the entire championship to call the honour their own, and collecting more silverware as the presentations got underway. Miller in fact earned the unique honour of claiming two wins in the same race – in addition to Class E accolades, Miller and van Roden sealed Class C for the round.

As the cars were brought back into trucks and trailers, and the sun set somewhere behind the clouds on Phillip Island, Team DHR reflected on a year living at the edge, and on the top, of the Production Sports car scene. Their efforts for the year saw them take home 2nd place overall in the Championship – no mean feat considering the machinary behind them included several Porsches, Lotuses, a Maserati or two, and a BMW.

DHR could never have had a more fitting send off.

Many, many thanks to those who helped us get to the top; Errol Davidson, Graham Miller, John and Joey Bayly, Gary Stewart, Wayne Davidson, Marcel Stawiczny and members of Quest Newspapers.

None of this would be possible without the unwavering efforts of these people, and the support of the many fans who let us know they’re behind us!

Having wrapped up the CUE One Hour Production Sports Car endurance series a month ago at Morgan Park, Dark Horse Racing have added yet another crown to their burgeoning trophy cabinet – Mazda MX5 National Champions.

Facing the cream of Australia’s Mazda MX5 crop from all over the eastern coast, Dark Horse Racing and driver Ash Miller were up against their most formidable field of their 2010 campaign. Arriving at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park on the weekend of October 29-31, the team were optimistic about their chances.

“We have a well prepared car,” said driver Ash Miller.

“We’ve done all we can to make sure the little beast is all ready for what’s the most important race of the year for us, so we’ve done all we can there. Now it’s just up to myself to get the most out of the driving.”

A few sessions of practice saw the cars hit the track for the first time together on Friday morning, but it wasn’t until Friday Qualifying that the true lay of the MX5 field was to be seen.

With Miller battling against fellow Queensland protagonists David Gainer and Russell Schloss, the trio swapped fastest laps throughout the session. However, only one man could take pole – Miller taking the honours from Schloss by just three-thousanths of a second, with Gainer just half a second behind in third. With such a closely matched top bunch, the weekend’s racing was shaping up to be intense.

In fact when the lights went out to signal the beginning of the ten-lap race one on Friday afternoon, it was a continuation of the titanic battle that raged during Qualifying. Grouped together with the Class 2B cars, the 2F leaders mixed it with the upper class until the pattern of the racing settled out. Schloss initially got the jump on Miller, but with the 2B cars negotiating turn one in a less than orderly manner, Miller managed to slip through into the lead after turn two.

The race would stay this way, with Miller leading and Gainer getting the better of Schloss 5 laps into the race. However, with the three cars spaced evenly and the laps counting down, problems struck for Miller. Encountering an engine glitch that caused the engine to cut out temporarily between third and fourth gears, the loss in momentum allowed Gainer to close right up, and with no challenge to be had, Miller duly left room as they climbed the hill towards turn three.

Schloss made the most of the situation, nipping by the stunted Miller to grab second at the next corner – however, an accident up ahead of the battling trio just one corner later saw Schloss take to the grass in avoiding action, and gifting Miller the place back.

The race would finish in that order, with Miller climbing all over the back of Gainer’s car but unable to do anything about the engine woes. So after race one, the points read Gainer, Miller and Schloss, with Peter Lacey placing an impressive fourth.

“Race one was frustrating, to say the least,” Miller said afterwards.

“We had the pace to stay out in front but you can’t foresee these little dramas. As it is though, I’m pleased with second, it sets us up well for the weekend ahead.”

Saturday dawned with a program of 3 races, consisting of an 8 lap opening race and two ten lap follow on races. With the grid order being progressive, it was now Gainer with the upper hand over Miller and Schloss for race two.

The start of race two saw Miller gain an immediate advantage, sailing into turn one and making the most of a slow-starting 2B class pack, picking off Kerry Finn to put a gap between himself and the other 2F cars.

The 8 laps wound down uneventfully, as Miller claimed his first win of the weekend over Gainer and Schloss, the latter sitting in second until Gainer managed to squeeze by with just a few laps remaining.

“What a great result!” Miller shared afterwards.

“Of course it’s what we’ve been aiming for, but there’s still four races to go, and we need to do 100% in all of them.”

Races three and four saw another set of 100% races for Miller, as he continued his affinity with good starts and advantageous use of the 2B cars, pulling a gap over the duelling Gainer and Schloss to claim a clean sweep for Saturday’s events. After four races Miller lead the charge, over Gainer in second and Schloss in third.

Sunday’s races brought another 8 and 10 lap duo, but with a twist – the final 10 lap race on Sunday was also worth double points.

“With the last race being so valuable on points, we have to push right till the end,” Miller said.

“You can’t just sit back – you have to get as many points as possible because it’s not over until the flag falls on race six.”

Sunday’s first event was a liquid-tinged affair, as early morning rain had given the track a thorough soaking. With standing water and oil residue blanketing the Wakefield tarmac, conditions would prove to be tricky.

“The weather was tough to read – it stopped raining about 20 minutes before the race, with a couple of events due to hit the track before us, so it was marginal as to how wet the track would be once we had our turn on track,” Miller said.

With the track proving too wet for dry tyres yet not comfortably wet for wet tyres, tyre choice would prove critical as the track dried out.

Miller made the call, settling for wets. It would prove to be an inspired decision.

As the lights went out for the start of race five, Miller once again made the most of his starts, and vaulted ahead of not only his 2F rivals, but also a handful of 2B talent. The tricky conditions proving difficult for the more powerful turbo cars ahead, Miller kept them honest.

The track rapidly dried, and as a dry line started appearing, Miller sought to conserve his tyres, finding puddles of standing water to cool the rubber. Hanging off the back of Matilda Mravavic’s turbo MX5 for the entire race, he finished door to door with the 2B car, taking not only 2F honours but sixth on the road. Gainer once again nabbed second off a fast-starting Schloss, and the two finished in their orderly places.

With just the one double-points race remaining, it was all to play for – Miller had to finish no lower than second to take home the National Title, and with the weather fining up by the final race, it would be neck and neck out on the circuit.

“Going into the last race we knew we couldn’t relax. It had to be played as best we could, and go for as many points as possible,” Miller said.

At the start, Miller got the jump on fast-starting Schloss, with Gainer bogging down as they made their way towards turns one and two. As the field threaded towards the end of lap one, Schloss was close enough to have a look at Miller going into the final corner. Miller managed to get back underneath, and the cars raced door to door, mirrors almost touching as they steamed into turn one with Gainer just a car length off their bumpers. Miller managed to hold off Schloss, but the remaining 9 laps saw the Kingaroy journeyman challenge Miller unwaveringly every lap, sniffing for a gap at every opportunity, with Gainer waiting patiently just a car length behind.

The laps wound down excitedly, but as the cars entered the straight for the final time, Miller had enough of a lead over Schloss to take victory, and the 2010 Mazda MX5 National Title – his first National Title.

“What a day, what a weekend! I couldn’t have done this without the amazing car the team have prepared,” Miller said afterwards.

“I’d like to thank Errol Davidson, Graham Miller, John and Joey Bayly, Wayne Davidson for all the help preparing the car, and Gary Stewart for the fantastic engines. It’s been a brilliant weekend’s racing, and to David Gainer and Russell Schloss, many thanks for the fierce but fair racing – it was the most enjoyable racing I’ve had in a long time.”

The win sees Miller improve on his 2009 Nationals third place.

The MX5 Nationals were the penultimate round in DHR’s 2010 campaign, with the final round being the last round of the 2010 CUE One Hour Endurance series, at the enigmatic Phillip Island circuit, south of Melbourne.

The final CUE race will also see the final swansong for Dark Horse Racing’s Mazda MX5 chapter – with the car and truck up for sale, Ash Miller and DHR are looking for pastures new in 2011.

“It’s been an incredible few years – from humble beginnings to being where we are today, it’s  been the most amazing journey with everyone involved in the team. Sadly, though, it’s time to sell the old girl and go elsewhere. I’ll miss her, but there’s exciting things on the horizon for 2011.”

Anybody interested in buying the Dark Horse Racing package, please email us with your details – dh-racing@hotmail.com

DHR and Ash Miller are also looking for supporters to continue their upward climb through the motorsport ranks in 2011, and any interested parties please contact us at the above email.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE TEAM AND SUPPORTERS, WHO PUT IN A MASSIVE EFFORT TO BRING THE CAR TO WHERE IT IS TODAY

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From the start of 2010, DHR set its sights on becoming the country’s most formidable Production Sports Car team, going up against Australia’s most prolific Prodsports talents to wrestle for the CUE One Hour Production Sports championship.

While the overall championship is yet to be decided, class 2F laurels have – and with one round still to go, Ash Miller and Team DHR are CUE One Hour Champions for the class.

Fighting against an incredibly saturated wad of driving talent at Morgan Park last weekend, Ash Miller and co-driver Geoff Marsh faced the most challenging field seen in the championship so far, with 35 entrants vying for class and overall honours. With the drivers races showcasing DHR’s mixed weather pace, signs were good for the One Hour feature.

“We’ve been lucky with the weather here, it played right into our hands,” said Miller.

“But if the race tomorrow is dry, we’ll have more of a fight on our hands. There are one or two guys that we don’t usually have competing in the One Hour championship that I know are lightning quick, and we’ll have to be on our toes to really get the most out of the car.”

Come Sunday the weather indeed fined up, and the temperatures were soaring as the cars lined up for the start of the One Hour spectacle.

Miller was in the drivers seat for the start, tussling with David Barram’s NC MX5 for the first few laps – Barram proving that the latest Mazda incarnation can be a very wide car indeed.

“The opening laps were hectic, and we knew we had the pace to be in front of David – but there’s no denying he knows how to defend his position!”

After managing to find a way around, Miller’s opening stint was spent going blow-for-blow with local boy Russell Schloss, whose pace around the Morgan Park circuit threw down DHR’s biggest challenge of the weekend. Having slipped by after Miller’s tussle with Barram, Miller and Schloss traded quickest laps as the pair raced nose-to-tail, pulling well clear of the other 2F runners.

“I was pushing pretty hard to stay in touch with Russell – the traffic was something that didn’t help, I’d get up to the back of Russell, then get held up.”

Handing over the reigns to Geoff Marsh at the 35 minute mark, a lightning stop and a series of quick laps by Miller before coming in saw Marsh exit the pits on the tail of Schloss once again. With Schloss choosing to complete the One Hour on his own, his pace was hard to match.

“He was comfortable in the car, and for those first few laps while Geoff got settled in, Russell used it to his advantage. Not being in the Championship though, we just needed points, and we weren’t too concerned.”

However, a late-race charge by Ash Lowe in the NC made for a final-lap thriller, as Lowe made up the deficit to pull onto the tail of Marsh as the pair started their final lap. With the final few kilometres fought in Gladiator-like proportions, Lowe just slipped by into 2nd, giving Marsh 3rd place at the chequered flag.

“I struggled with the tyres and ended up having a couple of moments during my stint,” Marsh said afterwards.

“Late in the race, when I saw Ash (Lowe) coming in the mirrors, I pushed as hard as I could, and did everything I knew to keep him behind me, but he found a way past right at the end. We’ve still bagged a handful of points, and it’s been enough to wrap up the series for us, so although I’m a little disappointed at not keeping second, I’m thrilled for us for claiming the 2F crown!”

DHR finished 13th overall, galvanising their giant-killing reputation. With points from the drivers races included, DHR not only seal the 2F category, but they also extend their gap over third place in the overall series standings.

“We’ve had such a great weekend, and I’m stoked at how hard the team have worked this year,” Miller said.

“They really deserve every bit of success coming our way, and where we sit in the overall championship is a reflection of that. I really must thank Errol Davidson, Graham Miller, John, Joey and Kylie Bayly, Gary Stewart, Ray Stewart and everyone else who has been involved in preparing such in an immaculate little MX5. I can’t wait to head down and face off with everyone again at Phillip Island!”

Phillip Island is indeed the scene of the next and final CUE One Hour series race. A circuit notorious with changeable weather and fast, sweeping corners, DHR will no doubt be on form once again.

However, it’s the Mazda MX5 Nationals that calls for DHR’s immediate focus. Taking place at Wakefield park during the last weekend of October, it brings together the cream of Mazda MX5 drivers from around the country for their second annual gathering.

“We’re out to improve on our third place from last year – we know it won’t be easy, seeing the pace of Ash (Lowe) and Russell (Schloss) over the Morgan Park weekend. But I’m ready to tackle the circuit.”

Dark Horse Racing last turned a wheel at Wakefield during the latter stages of 2007, making it quite a while between drinks for the Brisbane squad. On that occasion, Miller scored impressive results against a similar field of entrants for the Festival or Sports Cars gathering. Can he go better in 2010?

“Of course, we have it in us, but everything has to be perfect. Of that, I know we can do,” Miller mused.

With Miller competing in the Australian Irish Dancing Championships as we speak, his focus is shifted from wheels to jigs; but come late October, he and DHR will be back on track.

Morgan Park video highlights to come soon!

Stay tuned.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARSTA PHOTOGRAPHY – www.marsta.com