By his own admission, SRT owner Ryan Schlam concedes it’s been a hectic start to the 2014/2015 season for his race team.

Hectic and challenging but also quite encouraging.

With South Australian wheel twister Ryan Jones behind the wheel of the #49 entry Schlam has invested plenty in the season ahead, opting to withdraw himself as team driver to focus on running the family business.

“We’ve certainly had our share of teething problems,” he concedes, “but amongst all that we’ve had some really positive signs that we’re on the right track. Ryan (Jones) has been doing his best, and we’ve shown some great car speed at times.”

The season started off with an impromptu launch and photo shoot at the Schlam Engineering Premises in Waroona where some of the most memorable ‘sparks photos’ going viral around the world as a few of the apprentices got to create some spectacular backdrops for Ryan Jones and the #49 Schlam Engineering / Arcoplate Maxim.

“I’ve seen a few photos in my time of Sprintcars, but I think we might have put the icing on the cake with those ones. The young apprentices did a great job with their welders to make those photos look amazing,” explains Schlam.

The team practiced at The Perth Motorplex in Kwinana then returned for their opening night at Bunbury Speedway for the Southern Thunder Series.

Highlight of the night was a storming win in the second heat but torsion bar issues in the main event prevented more than a handful of laps in anger.

SRT returned to the Motorplex for some practice but disappointingly hurt the motor and the team was forced to take up a generous option from fellow racer Trent Pigdon to lease his spare motor for the coming weekend.

Jones timed the #49 car in 12th position for qualifying, won the second heat, finished 7th in the Pole Dash and moved from 11th to 4th in the first half of the main event with some stirring moves through the pack.

“We were really pleased,” admits Schlam, “Ryan had the car really motoring and Josh (Agrizzi) had the set up worked out. Unfortunately after the compulsory pit stop we got tangled up with another car and peeled the left front tyre off the rim ending our night then and there. It was encouraging sign even though it ended disappointingly.”

The following event at Bunbury saw the second round of the Southern Thunder series and with the Kistler motor back from KRE Engines the team were confident they could put in a good showing.

The time trial however said otherwise.

“We timed in 28th from 29 cars,” Schlam muses, “not our best result by any means, but we came good in the heats. Ryan charged in his first heat to move by a few cars but he won the second heat going away. We were really fast in that heat.”
Come main event time though the team were disappointed to barely get a lap in with Ryan being taken out by an accident in front of him.

“Sprintcar racing’s a brutal game sometimes,” concedes Schlam, “just when we get up we seemed to be down, but I know we’re improving each time we go out and the team is gelling as a unit. It’s an exciting season ahead for us I’m certain.”

With the season in recess now until the Christmas – New Year Period SRT wishes to thank all of our loyal sponsors and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

SRT is proud to welcome onboard their team of major sponsors this season including:

Schlam Engineering – www.schlam.com.au

Arcoplate – www.alloysteel.net

Keech – www.keech.com.au

Panelworx – www.panelworx.com.au

Heatleys – www.heatleys.com.au

ASM Australian Special Metal – www.asmcorp.com.au

South West Isuzu – www.southwestisuzu.com.au