RX: Now that you have had some time to recover and look back, how was 2009 for you?

Harmo: It was not a good year for me. We had the new car come out and it took a while to get comfortable with it, and still now I am finding some things that work better than what we were trying to race with, very frustrating. I started a lot of races a little further back then where we had planned and really had to work for the points we ended up with. The Nationals were never going to happen with the car the way it was and missing half the season didn't help in the overall points. A short vacation to the US was the much needed break I was looking for. Ended up finishing 8th overall and 3rd in class, but I still wasn't too pumped on that as a whole, but it is what it is. ..

RX: You still had the occasional race where you would have a good finish even though the rest of the year was less than stellar?

Harmo: Like I said, we had lots of issues to get myself and the car to work well together. Nigel and I had both been working hard after round 3 to get the car to work better and see what we can do, and right now I am happy with where it is at. If the track was good, then the car and I were good and I think that had a lot to do with it. The car was new and we were still finding out what we would need to do to make sure it would do what we wanted. I'm happy to still be here with the way the car is now.

RX: You wrapped up your 2009 season pretty early on, right??

Harmo: Sure did, no use flogging a dead horse... (laughs). I'm happy to have a good bunch of guys around me now. We've joined forces with Nigel Bolling and Selectmaz in Melbourne to get this car ironed out for 2010. With these guys we have involved next year we can do really good things. Nigel is keen to get Ken Douglas in the car for some testing and Issy is tidying up some of the finer points to make sure we have all our ducks in a row. At this stage, I'm happy, I shouldn't say happy, I should say ecstatic (laughs).

RX: You mentioned that you weren't very pleased with the car last year, and that's something we heard from some other drivers in the class. Are the numerous changes made to the car that makes the 2010 much better than a 2009?

Harmo: Yeah, we had really turned the corner at Eastern Creek 2 and the car began to behave the way it was supposed to. I'd have to say we're heading to the right direction.

RX: So, I've gotta ask.... What happened with you and Scott Fleming and RDM?

Harmo: I knew that was coming. Look, Scott and I couldn't really see eye to eye on what we were trying to achieve this season. Scott had some other things that were a little more important than racing and couldn't really give my car the attention and focus that he had in previous years. I understand that and I know he has a business outside of racing to run and let's face it, that has to take priority. We decided that it might be better for both of us if he backed off a little on the racing program and got himself where he is happy. RDM is still owned by Paul Cooney, Matt Clarke as well as Scott. Clarkey and Doggo's (Paul Cooney) are still very much involved in the Chaparral Gatorz Racing team and are a valuable part.

RX: No bad feelings?

Harmo: Nope, not at all.

RX: Have you been in the car much?

Harmo: No not at all actually. After Eastern Creek 2 (Rd4) we did a sponsor photo shoot with Chris Dobie and Tracy Carr at ANZ Stadium and again in the Revolution Racegear Showroom at Auburn and began to decide what we needed to change for season 2010. The gearbox was sent away for a freshen up and a new diff centre has been ordered. We sat down with Nigel Bolling and Matt Clarke for a much needed 'where to now' meeting... a plan was hatched and that's were we are now...

RX: Any new sponsors/supporters for 2010?

Harmo: Rockstar Energy Drink, Valvoline Oils and PCS Dash Logger will be joining us for season 2010. We'll also have Gatorz Eyewear, Torque Calibration Services, Conetix Internet, GoPro Motorsport Cameras, Selectmaz, AussieAutoArt, KINX Hair Designs back for 2010. Revolution Racegear Auburn and Brunton Engineering Hornsby will be back supporting us as they always do.

RX: Do you feel you have enough time to be ready both physically and mentally for Eastern Creek come March and do you feel that you have enough time to have your car sorted-out for the race?

Harmo: Yeah, we'll be ready. It's only a five round season in 2010. Three Eastern Creek rounds and two Wakefield Park rounds so there is a decent gap between rounds. We might even do a few Victorian rounds if the car is healthy and of course, the Island Magic at Phillip Island.

RX: Away from racing for a minute, How was your vacation?

Harmo: Insane! Absolutely what the doctor ordered. We did around 4300km in 15 days. I took over a very close friend of mine, Simone McIntyre and we just cut sick. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hollywood, San Bernadino, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, San Diego, Tijuana Mexico, Anaheim... Visited Chaparral Motorsports, Racing Beat, Glen Helen along the way... So many stories... We're going back next year for sure...

RX: Hopefully after the season this time …

Harmo: Yeah, I'm not planning on disrupting the racing season in 2010...

RX: What's your goal this year?

Harmo: I'd like to have a healthy run at the season. I think the car will be in a better place heading into the season opener at Eastern Creek and hopefully we can build from there. I've never not wanted to race the car before but I've gotta tell ya, I was almost there this season. The vacation to the States did more for me than I can explain.

RX: Enjoy your Christmas/New Year break Harmo, thanks for your time...

Harmo: Sure will... You too... Thank You...