Well it has been a long time coming but finally an update! After the long off season the 73a was loaded up into the truck and taken to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd practises at Waikaraka. Being that they happened on the same day there wasn't really much chance to really try many things setup wise with the car.

With the vehicle checking completed and the wheels stamped and put back on the car it was time to suit up and have a drive. I was lucky enough to be offered the first run in the car which I gladly accepted, even though I was under instruction to not push the car hard. Basically it was my job to get the oil warm, and if anything went wrong it would be my fault!

It felt good to get back out onto the track and drive again, the 73a car is much easier to drive than my 53a, but of course I have heaps more room and a much nicer seat than the kirky thing that Bryce uses.

Out on the track and car felt really good, except for the engines in Super Stocks and meant to be used not driven slowly. So driving around the corners at only 4000rpm means the the engine is 'off the cam' and bogs down heaps, then down the straight until the rev counter showed 6800rpm and I backed off. Pretty much the Chev wasn't doing any work at all. After my spin in the car Bryce jumped in and had a run and pushed the car a bit more and the machinery worked well and without hassle.

Poor Lance though in the 26a car suffered a gearbox failure which pretty much mucked up his afternoon, but in a straight line he showed some good pace and with more practise he should be able to get up to speed.

It was good to see so many cars turn up to the practise, and some of those standard stocks were looking good.

Since the first practise new exhaust mufflers have been placed on the 73a car to keep within the noise limits and a full check over the car has been made so it should be ready for whenever the rain clears and the first lot of racing happens.

More to follow

-MadPhil