Putting the Hammer Down - Wes Beadman
Prelude…

One warm summers day in late January, out of the blue, I received a call from a guy in Kalgoorlie named Frank Bawdon who I had briefly met at the 2007 QLD super title some months before asking if I was interested in being the track commentator for a two night Super sedan extravaganza that he and a couple of other blokes were trying to put together to lift the profile of WA super sedans nationally. He described how they were intending to get some eastern staters over and make the event the meeting to be at in WA. After a bit of chit chat I agreed that if it went ahead I would make myself available. Check out the website was the parting comment from Frank.

I kept an eye on the website which would be now know as the Super Sedan Hammerdown which provided an ever increasing list of nominations from right across the country and a wealth of information on the event. But still I was a little sceptical if it would come off. Would they all turn up!

A few weeks later and I receive a call from BCM Bear “Brian “Bear” Chalmers the race promoter/director first of all telling me this deal is 100% go & then asking when I wanted to fly into Perth and also giving me an update on the event. Fly Wed after Easter and I needed to be home for work Monday. Done was Bears answer. Next thing I know with in the hour my e-mail pings and my itinerary pops up then I realize that these guys are the real deal I think to myself. Presented with six flights from Brisbane to Melbourne to Perth & onto Esperance, just like that I was going from one side of the country to the other.

Day One…The Voyage

Wednesday saw the sunrise on what was to be a very interesting start to my Hammerdown experience.
I arrived at Brisbane Airport at 4.30am to board my Virgin flight to Melbourne (and then on to Perth).
The S.S.A. kindly lent us a Briefcase full of Transponders for the event and I was about to “attempt” to carry them on as Hand Luggage, “Big Mistake”.
As these devices slowly moved through the X-ray machine so did the security staff towards me.
After the initial scan I was then detained and escorted by security to a small room and soon was met by Federal Police and Virgin Blue Management.
I was in “Big Trouble”…who did they think I was?, Osama Bin Wes
For the first time in some while I was speechless.
It took some time to prove exactly what the transponder were but I was eventually cleared and asked to placed them in the secure hold of the aircraft.
As I boarded the aircraft the Cabin Manager asked would I like to sit there Premium Seating…I said yes, and to this day still think they were watching me.

Perth Arrival

I arrived at Perth Airport via Melbourne totally confused about what time it was and how to adjust my own time to correspond with local time.
Brian Chalmers (Bear from BCM) soon phoned and for the first we met inside the Departure Lounge.
This Event was going to be even bigger than the “Hammerdown” Shirts Bear and I would soon wear.
I soon boarded another plane and this time carefully checked the transponders in with my baggage with my new carrier Qantas…”Once bitten twice shy”.
This time I’m bound for Kalgoorlie to meet up with Frank Bawdon and his son Corey.
I slept for just a little and awoke to the site of the “Biggest Hole In Australia” as we approached Kalgoorlie Airport.
Even the Mine was setting the standard of size that this event would turn out to be.
Frank met me at the Airport for my arrival of 7.30 pm and I soon got the tour of the Race Team workshop (which doubles for the Business workshop) prior to my and Corey Bawdon’s departure for Esperance.
Four hours, some Red Bulls and whole lot 80’s CD’s later, we arrive at Esperance to view of a beautiful harbour and even more beautiful new day to come.

The Boat, The Beer and the B S

The stage is set for what would turn out to be a great day.
Lucas Roberts, Dan Miller, Ash Bergmeier and their crews joined the BCM Team and two very attractive guests on a hilarious and action packed trip fishing around the Esperance Archipelago’s.
The Esky’s were full but would slowly empty, to only be replaced by the quality fish we all caught on a the boat named Jaws crewed by Sean and Peter and supplied by Black Jack Charters.
The Seals, Birds and shear cliff faces were to say the least, spectacular.
The result on deck were as followed...Highest Team Catch…Team Miller
Biggest Catch…Ron Bergmeier.
 Most Fun…everyone !.
I was said to of kept everyone laughing throughout the day although on the way home I finally run out of battery and fell asleep in the cabin on the way back……..
We all met again for a group dinner at the Pier hotel, only put the kitchen in a spin with the amount of food needed, but I soon after led a charge toward Stardom on the Karaoke Stage.
Friday would be the day all the other Teams would arrive in force for our opening night at Esperance.
Bear Ash, Dan and myself gate crashed the Local Radio Breakfast show and once again played the fool this time at our own expense…
Breakfast was soon a memory as we all met at Trevor Bale’s, Esperance 4x4 Super Store.
The traffic came to a stand still as the teams unloaded their Race Cars for a very popular display.
The traffic soon cleared and all of us made our way to the track…what a night was to come.

Race Night One

Enough has been said about the Racing but it was the “Behind the Scenes” action that was to leave me gob smacked.
Firstly the support Keith Higgs was given by other teams with spares and the crew to fit them and repair his car was what this sport is all about.
The Master and Apprentice team of Paddy Ward and Lachlan Onley were on fire and seemed unstoppable.

Night One’s Feature Race

The “Moama Mauler” (Lucas Roberts) was running the highline and had the crowd went berserk.
The “Lock and Loaded” Lachlan Onley soon worked out the fast lane was upstairs and proceeded to pass his Team Mate and then took on former Australia Number One “DK” Darren Kane on the outside to win night one.

The Esperance Crowd.

WOW…what more can I say.
It was reported to be record crowd matched by the constant setting of lap records by the drivers.
Just like the old Drive In Theatres, the crowd can park up to the Back Straight and flash their lights and sound their horns in appreciation…what a spectacle that creates.
They really raised the roof off every time something happened.

The Road Ahead

After several hours of celebration the Teams and us packed up and contemplated the four-hour journey back to Kalgoorlie.
Some chose to stay and travel in the daylight while others were to travel just a few hours up the road.
The rest like the Bawdon Team would travel through the night with two very exhausted men asleep in the Transporter…soon a new day, and quite a lot of work.
The Show Must Go On

Several team used various locations to prepare their cars for the final night but it was to be the Bawdon’s Workshop where the Speedway Spirit would be evident.
The Comrardery shown by all who worked on their cars, some were bare Chassis’s some had other major work to do, but all in all no one could imagined the warmth and mateship that became evident that morning.

Racers Rally Once Again

By his own admission “The Mongrel” Keith Higgs has had a year to forget and seemed to have invited a Chinese family to take up residence in his Race Car.
Once again after Hot Laps Keith had a Diff problem, which require straightening and a host of bearings and seals that it seemed impossible.
Crews once again strived to make sure the comical and talented driver was trackside, proving that the Aussie Spirit is alive and well in Speedway.

Best and Fairest

The “B Dash” was action packed and would end controversially.
Contact between Keith Higgs and Darren Kane had the Chief Steward undecided and a decision would be reversed thus giving Darren the win.
Prior to this Keith was told he won over the One Way Communicator and while driving toward me shook his head in disbelief.
He said within the interview that he would hate to win like but he didn’t make the decisions and felt sorry for Darren.
Soon after I loaded the Winners enormous Esky on to Higgs Car only to have to congratulate Darren after the decision was reversed.
Darren was shocked and also commended Keith for what he said and made this remarkable statement.
“These things must be hard for decide, but it should have to be up to Keith to Steward the meeting”. He closed by stating how much he respected Keith.
This single event would cause a huge cheer from the crowd and leave a lasting memory on all who witnessed.

The Winners

Darren Kane would turn the Tables on Lachlan Onley and take out both the Second Night and The Title to the rapturous applause of the Crowd, Official and Sponsors.
It sounds corny, but the real winner was Super Sedans in Western Australia. Despite a number of political attempts to harpoon the promotional team leading up to the weekend by luckless stirring individuals, BCM & FT Promotions have provided WA Speedway an event that unified the Racers and the Tracks, who now believe they have a great product and can race with the best from the East. And yes, the FT guys are racers who joined forces with a marketing talent in Bear to pursue a vision to lift the division profile and that they did.

Beer, BBQ and more BS

The Post Race BBQ was itself a huge spectacle and would create a perfect close to a great few days.
The crowd stayed along with the teams to thank all concerned.
Several lies were told, outrageous prices paid in the Auction and finally many got the chance to “let their hair down” and take a well deserved rest from what was a “Milestone” in Super Sedan history.

Homeward Bound

After only a few hours sleep and a long shower I left my gracious hosts and headed to the Airport to meet Bear and Frank Bawdon to say my farewells to Kalgoorlie.
Once again I was aboard a plane and making the long journey home.
Nothing was to happen apart from many passengers being alarmed at the tearing noise up the front of the aircraft.
They eventually experienced the noise my dear wife puts up with when either “Uncle Jim” or a lack of sleep possess my body.
After spending all day travelling, eating food fit for “Suspected Terrorists” (I still am having nightmares), I was glad to see my family at its end.

As The Hammer Falls

I thank all who made me feel so welcome.
To the Spectators…you are more important than you realize…you all ”Rock”
To the drivers…East vs. West may have been the battle, but we came together when needed…That’s what it is all about!
And finally to Bear, Frank, Trevor and the rest of the Team…thankyou for opportunity, I can’t wait to do it again

Next Year…Bigger and Better…I can’t wait