The Old AU!

[Marcus La Delle]

Hey everyone

The old AU is being rebuilt! After being told it was "Un-Repairable" and spending the proceeding week praying to find another car to drive, it was all to no avail. There were simply no cars. Everyone is keeping their BA's as spares for the Reverse-Grid races and there's really no point DJR buying another AU, just to put me in the car for the rest of the year. There was also the option of DJR building another car for the Level 1 guys and me getting the Hand-Me-Down, but it wouldn't be ready till around Sandown, in-turn i would miss 3 or 4 rounds anyway.

After all this the lovely phone call came that DJRAU12 was being rebuilt. As you can probably tell, i've got a bit of a bond with this car now. You get that after the shunt I had and the success it brought me earlier in the weekend.

So... When's it coming back? Well, Steve and Will did amazing jobs in NZ and didn't do too much damage, likewise with all QLD based teams, which means my car can be finished sooner... In Theory! The expectation is QLD Raceway on July 21-23. I wish it would be done for Wakefield Park in 4 weeks, but it's just not realistic considering this was only my year to learn anyway, so there's no pressure for championship etc.

If anyone is going to Wakefield Park, i'll be down there as a spectator and to cheer Grant and Andrew on!

Will update soon once I know a finishing date for the car and our next test date. Check out www.marcusladelle.com for all updates and latest pics.

Thanks for all your support.

Marcus

 

[Poita]

Good to hear Marcus, look forward to seeing the old girl and yourself on the track again. All the best for the rest of the year and I hope to catch up with you one day for a chat.

If only a few more guys at DJR could keep us informed like you do, they can't even do it on their own website.

Cheers
Peter

 

[TS-50]

Hi Marcus , ....as you can tell by the nick i'm a fan of the AU too, I just reckon the AU Xr's looked tough, and at the last test Day "Poita " and I both commented on how fast the old girl looked, I hope things go to plan , good luck, Maybe we'll see you if we get out to the next test day.

 

[Rob 18]

That's great news Marcus!! Shame about Wakefield but the main thing is she's fixable & will be ready for Qld which I hope to make the trip north to spectate.

As this is the last AU in DJR's stable Marcus & IIRC correctly they built 5 AU's, is this the last AU DJR built which debuted at the 2001 QLD 500 which was won by Johnson/Radisich or is it one of the older chassis's???

 

[DJR-FAN]

Marcus, after looking at the photos I can't beleive they can rebuild it. Great that they can and great news that you get to stay at DJR. For a giggle have a look at JB-17's topic BITS `N` PIECES.

Thanks for the update, good luck.

 

[Marcus La Delle]

DJR-FAN, have you got a URL link for that?

Mine's AU12, it's the last AU ever built and yes, AFAIK it won QLD in the wet. AU11 is owned by Greg Smith, the ex-Fujitsu Car. AU10 is in the showroom, it's the last car Dick drove, so it holds a special spot.

The AU has proven it's no slouch, i mean we were quick at Adelaide, moving from 15th up to 8th before the mistakes started setting in. Owen Kelly set times in '04 that would keep him on the pace today and of course Will's magnificent drive last year in QLD. If only i could repeat that in a couple of months time. And the AU is a mean looking car. The BA's bonnet bulge makes it look hardcore, but the AU is just mean... I like mean!

I'll definately make some time to meet some of you guys at the next test day, I was also thinking of setting up a bit of a dinner/coffee on the Gold Coast on the weekend of the QLD round if some of you wanted to come and have a chat. Let me know what you think.

Regards
Marcus

 

[Nascar12]

Great to see DJR sticking by you and rebuilding AU12. I thought they could have easily not bothered.
See you on the track!!

 

[Poita]

quote:Originally posted by Marcus La Delle

I was also thinking of setting up a bit of a dinner/coffee on the Gold Coast on the weekend of the QLD round if some of you wanted to come and have a chat. Let me know what you think.

Regards
Marcus

As they said in a movie once, "Build it and they will come" in other words Marcus, organise a date and time I'm sure you'll get a few people along, who knows you may even score some new fans for yourself.

Peter

 

[JB-17]

Great to hear Marcus that DJR are sticking with you.As Poita said if only a few other DJR guys would pop in from time to time,if only to just say,Hi.

 

[Marcus La Delle]

Thanks guys, It is great to see DJR sticking by me, it's truly an honour.

Oh and when I was speaking about looking at other opportunities, it was always within DJR, just in different cars (BA/AU) or possibly in the Ute series. This hasn't eventuated, but may be looked at again in the future.

Once QLD gets closer and maybe a test day out of the way, i'll post a time and a place that i'll be at so you guys can come have a chat. Might try and get Will to come down as well!

Thanks for your support guys.

Marcus

 

[Scott]

Great to have you back in the game Marcus,also good news to hear the old girl still lives.
Good luck on the return,by the way when you coming to Tassie for a coffee.

 

[Racin Jason]

Marcus, that's great news and thank you again for keeping us informed.

 

[Bigcol]

Thanks again Marcus.

You set a date and i'm sure the QLD memebers of the forum will join you

Cheers

 

[Nascar12]

I'd be interested in that Marcus, thanks.
Be sure to extend the invite to the Boss, Jnr, Thommo and Maddog too.

Can you imagine that!!

 

[Poita]

Why don't we just have it at DJR then, they can give us a guided tour at the same time.

 

[Nascar12]

Ehh,, you're not bad , Poita.
Just leave the key under the "WELCOME" mat and help yourselves!!

 

[Bigcol]

well if thy're going to be that friendly make it QR with full tanks of fuel.

 

[Henry]

...in the XD...

 

[JB-17]

I`m with you Henry,move over.

 

[TS-50]

now , that would be a fan day