|
2007-2008 Easter Champs @ Rotorua |
|
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 16:28 |
With the New Zealand champs just weeks previous, we had the Easter champs at Rotorua. Although we missed out on qualifying for the finals on night one, we managed to just get second place in the 2nd tier championship on night two.
It came down to a run-off between me and Grendon Beazley. I drew pole position and put myself as close to the wall as possible so to cut down Grendon’s moves off the start line. This worked in my favour and I got the jump on him but not enough to get clear so I let him whack me in the rear so I didn’t get wound off twice in that corner (hahaha). Such was the hit that his rotor broke and there he stayed in turn 3.
So it was looking all good until I tapped the right rear bumper on the wall exiting turn four getting the white flag. My crank sensor was crying enough and backfiring something chronic so with it being the last lap I rode the clutch for a lap to keep the engine running and winner the race.
|
|
2007-2008 New Zealand Champs @ Stratford |
|
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 16:20 |
|
The New Zealand Champs in Stratford were the next port of call for the team which was always going to be tough when you have 180 cars trying to qualify for 30 spots in the final. We went down on the Thursday for the practice so we could try out our setup and gear/tyre combination. This was right on the button so we left there happy.
Qualifying night, race one, we were circulating in the top 10 which was the plan until a power steer hose blew heading into turn 3. I threw it in to the corner and managed to keep my position after using the wall to keep me in the arena. Coming into the last lap, I was now around fifth and when going down the front straight with three other cars going into one corner and me on the outside they hit my front wheel, sending me straight ahead.
End result was a bent front bumper and no points as the yellow lights came on to early for me to get around and cross the finish line. We repairing the car and in the next two heats I was just circulating and letting the Rotorua boys past easily and running interference for any others. Was a great night of racing and a couple of our local boys got through to the finals from our heat which was all that mattered to me.
Next morning we got up around 8am to a cooked breakfast from our hosts for the weekend. Our hosts were “The Nickels” from Normanby. Bruce and Pauline are two awesome speedway people I am lucky to have met while crewing many years ago.
So with full stomachs, we got the car cleaned and started repairing the bent front bumper which was no trouble with the gear supplied from Bruce’s Nickel Engineering workshop. If you need any heavy transport/trailers these are the people to see. We then did a nut and bolt check and loaded up ready for night two.
As we didn’t qualify we were running in the consolation races which were action packed all night. I did not know where or who to go past or around as it was just carnage. Started mid pack first race and got to the front in the first lap and held onto it to the chequered so was stoked for the team and if only it had been one day earlier. The next two we got a 3rd and a 5th and avoided most of the attacks.
Watching the final run off was just amazing and for four laps we were on the edge of our seats. To see the fellow Rotorua man Alan McRobbie take the title was awesome. Congrats must also be given to the Stratford club for the way the meeting was ran which was no mean feat with so many cars present. 
|
|
2007-2008 Bay of Plenty Champs & Teams Race @ Rotorua |
|
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 16:05 |
The Bay of Plenty Champs took place on the first night of the World 240s. It was a good night where we managed to get some good positions, ending the night ninth overall with the car coming through with no problems from the previous meeting.
We were happy with that considering the amount of cars and the quality of the field. On the second night we were just a supporting class to the big boys in the World 240s but as luck would have it, one of the Rascals cars couldn’t make it in time for racing so we were approached to race for in the Rascals in the teams race against the other local team, the Pirates.
Little earlier than I had planned to teams race but hell yeah I’m in! I was the blocker with Ivan from the start and all was going well but you two runners got tagged and I knew Nick Vallance was now up there or leading and although tagging him, I couldn’t halt him or his progress and the Pirates managed a narrow last corner victory.
I learnt a lot from that race and will take that on board for the future as that was AWESOME!!! |
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 9 of 10 |
