This was the biggest race meeting of the year, not only the final of the Blownlites series; it was also the Marjorie Watson Australasian Unlimited Displacement Championship and the mighty Dorwin Gold Cup.
The Immortal team in conjunction with BNR Engines came into the weekend with 2 power plants. Firstly the ever reliable Blownlite spec engine, a small block Chev 370ci with a controlled 6/71 supercharger and for this weekend, another small block was built to defend the Unlimited Marj Watson race. This was also a 370ci Chev engine with the difference being a Kobelco hi-helix supercharger giving us a lot more boost and acceleration to play with.
The weekend started Saturday with 2 wins form 2 starts in the Blownlites, then after a quick 30 min engine change to fit the unlimited engine, we were straight into the heats for the Marj Watson. After a cautious run Mark qualified 3rd for the final. From there he never looked back driving a perfect race to bring home the Lucas oils Immortal boat in first place going Back to Back as Australasian Champions, and keeping the boat at the Number 1 in Australia.
Sunday and with the Blownlite spec engine back in the boat, there were 2 more heats. Again 2 wins from 2 starts giving the Immortal Team the 2014 championship. An amazing 14 wins from 20 starts, finishing every race over the season proving that they not only have the speed but also the reliability.
Next was the Dorwin Gold Cup, an unlimited open class race. Mark qualified for the final in pole 2 after finishing in first place in his heat, despite starting way out in pole 6.
The flag dropped in the Final and Mark took the Lucas Oils Immortal boat to the first turn buoy in front with F1 tunnel boat Legend, Craig bailey on his inside, Craig is the 7 time Australian F1 tunnel boat champion, he has also won a round of the world F1 championship and the Dorwin gold cup an amazing 5 times. With young gun Greg Banks, 2013 Dorwin Gold Cup winner in pole 3 in his F1 Tunnel boat; it was going to be hard work. After a close call in the first corner Mark stuck the nose down the inside of Craig Bailey in the second turn and never looked back, sealing the Triple Crown in Adelaide.
The Team was also presented with The Blownlites Best Presented Boat of the series and Mark was crowned Driver of the series.
With an amazing 8 wins form 8 starts, having 2 engines never miss a beat and show amazing horse power and reliability, this has really proven Brett Niddrie from BNR Engines to be one of Australia’s best Engine builders. The whole team put in a faultless performance all weekend again showing the professionalism and dedication it takes to be number one. Mark Gauci, when asked about his team said “we could not be where we are without the Amazing support we get from our sponsors, Firstly Lucas Oils who truly are keeping that engine alive, MSC Signs who have wrapped the boat for us, giving us our amazing new look, Advanced magnetos, Gtrak developments, Sheridan Building Services, also a huge thanks to our media partners Boris the boxer productions, All The Torque Photography and TLC Images who work tirelessly to produce some amazing posters/images for us”
