Auckland Superstock Clas….ah…..trophy night - 10/03/07

After the previous weeks hassles with getting the car started and with limited time during the week, we focused on trying to sort out why the engine won’t easily start. I checked and tested the ignition leads, replaced the spark plugs, while Pat (dad) pulled the carburetor apart and made changes to the jet sizes and float level . The first time start the engine fired up instantly, the next time not so good. But with no time left the cars, both 73a and 53a were loaded into the trailer. Bryce was away for the night at another function, we tried to offer a drive to a few people with no luck, but decided to take the car anyway just in case. As it turned out Bill Clarkson Jnr (http://www.clarkson-motorsport.co.nz/) was prepared to strap himself inside the 73a and have a run.
Upon arrival at the track we soon heard about cars not being allowed/able, whatever to travel to Auckland. Even though things had been organized at the beginning of the week, other tracks perhaps changed their minds, but we were aware of a good bunch of drivers willing to make the trip north and it was a shame to not have them present. So with the Auckland Stockcars all released for the Huntly champs, it did mean there was plenty of room in the pits to spread out, and from what I hear the Auckland Stockcars really took control over the Huntly champs with taking out the top six places, so well done to those competitors. The club promotions team said that they would delay the Classic, and for the night we would be running for trophy’s.

Race.1
Starting off from the inside I didn’t get away and fell to the back of the field. Quickly bringing the car back on track I caught back up and got past the 52, 78 cars and with 75a up against the wall I found myself looking at the back of 73a. Bill Jnr was doing a great job keeping the car on line and it took me a few laps to get right behind him. Then on about lap 5 my engine started to misfire at about 7000rpm, which I was reaching a bit less than ¾’s the way down the straights. I worked hard and kept the corners tight to edge back the gap created by my lack of speed over the 73a. Luckily half way through the turns Bill Jnr was getting a “push on” which meant he was drifting wide just enough for me to pass up the inside with enough extra speed to give me a gap at the end of the straight. From there with no max revs, and less horsepower than a paper dart I made sure I kept the lines tight and kept the 3rd place until the end.
Back in the pits we worked out that it was only misfiring from the right bank of cylinders. So after taking off the covers I found 2 ignition leads were loose. So after pushing them back on the engine sounded much better, 8 is way better than 6. Also with the fuel not igniting properly you would be amazed at how much more fuel the car went through, after the first race Geoff poured about 14litres of fuel into the tank to fill it up, normally it would only take around 9litres. That’s an extra 4-5ish liters of fuel over 10 laps, so instead of using 1litre per 500m, it was more like 1litre per 300m. So if you want to conserve petrol, get your car serviced and tuned!

Race.2
Starting off from the second row there was a fair bit of pushing going on down the back straight and up ahead the 16a (Aaron Headington) car, hooked a big right hander and took 78a (Darryl Clarkson) into the wall, I think also collecting 75a (Dave Tennant) in the process. This gave me second behind 351a (Paul Vasey), the car hooked up under me and with it revving clearly up to 7800. With this I was able to hold the gap for a few laps. Coming down the front straight up ahead was the 16a playing up again, I think this time 75a was doing the pushing and spun 16a, who in turn was collected by 78a trying to get around the outside. There was dust everywhere so I went low but it was enough of a delay to open up the lead 351a had. So I settled for second place.
Unfortunately heading into the pits I lost 2nd gear, don’t know where it went, but it vanished from the selector. I found 1st gear and headed for our spot but the engine stalled and wouldn’t restart.

Catch ya...MadPhil