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Driveline drama doesn't affect Townsville transit

25 Jun 2014
LDM transporter heads to Queensland today from Darwin, with some assistance from Melbourne-based GRM.
2 mins by James Pavey
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With a tight turnaround between the weekend's racing in Darwin and the upcoming Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport has elected to head straight to Northern Queensland.

Rather than packing up Sunday night and heading back to the workshop in Nunawading, the team was one of a number of Melbourne-based outfits that elected to head straight to the next event.

The crew remained in Darwin to carry out usual maintenance before the transporter heads to Queensland today.

RMA Racing team principal Lucas Dumbrell said the only difference in preparing for the next event was the shorter time frame.

"The same routine procedure is carried out between each and every event and that remains unchanged even if we are away on a double header," Dumbrell said.

"The team have been able to achieve in two days in Darwin what would normally be carried out between rounds at the workshop, it all came down to pre-planning."

An almost back-to-back round puts more importance on knowing what was needed and factoring in all scenarios before the transporter left Melbourne.

"The truck left with enough spares to see us through until the end of Townsville," Dumbrell said.

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The Repair Management-backed team has had to utilise these parts after a driveline issue on Sunday hindered Russell Ingall's race.

Crew chief Joe Sasso has remained in Darwin to complete the maintenance and is adamant that there has been no setback.

"We have replaced all the components inside the driveline due to an internal transaxle failure and those parts are now on their way back to Melbourne with GRM," Sasso said.

"We appreciate their help and that teams, even though we race each other, we've got a good professional relationship and we help each other out when we can," he said of GRM.

"The transaxle and driveshaft are now at Albins (the component manufacturer). We felt it worthwhile that they inspect it firsthand given the internal parts have had very little mileage."

The parts will be freighted up to Queensland before the Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland kicks off on July 4.

For those keen to see the transporters roll into town, the transporter parade will run on Wednesday July 2 from 12pm - click here for all the details.

Click here to secure your tickets for the event.

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