Beetle burns up the track

Corporal Derek Burns shows Australian motor racing legend Peter Brock his modified VW Beetle, as members of No. 25 Squadron and Defence Recruiting in Perth look on.

Corporal Burns and his hot Beetle in action during the Western Australian Formula Vee competition.

THE exploits of Air Force Corporal Derek Burns in his modified VW Beetle recently caught the eye of Australia’s most famous racing car driver.

CPL Burns, from Defence Recruiting in Perth, races his Beetle in the local Formula Vee competition – the recognised entry level to open wheel motor vehicle racing – and has recorded some fine results in recent seasons.

Particularly strong results in the 2002 season propelled CPL Burns to second in the Western Australian state titles and second in the club championship.
That came on top of third placings in each competition in 2001.

In his role as a recruiter for Defence, CPL Burns took his vehicle to the recent V8 Supercar round at Barbagello Raceway to help promote the Air Force and the ADF in general.

It was there that champion touring car driver and Bathurst hero Peter Brock spotted the little Bug and jumped at the chance to sit in a “real race car”.

CPL Burns had planned to compete in the Mirage national series this year but has had problems with funding.

Until he can get financial assistance, he will continue to race Formula Vee in Perth and had set his sights on securing the state champion’s crown with a possible trip to Tasmania later in the year for the Australian Formula Vee Nationals.

Anyone who may be able to help CPL Burns with sponsorship can contact him on (08) 9488 7189.

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