13th November 2009 - Waikaraka Park - 73a

2nd night out, all three cars where ready to run 53 63 and 73.

The rear brakes had been repaired thanks to dad and Wayne. Due to work issues had not done anything else leading upto the weekend. Also being a Friday night made it a bit harder.

Was great to see the three cars sitting waiting for the first race, for those that do know what it takes to get the cars ready it is not mean feat to have three ready. Again thanks to Dad and Wayne.

Should also thank Paul Vazey whom assisted with a carburettor repair during the week, in lieu of working on his own car.

Nine cars fronted for the night with five being Auckland, four from Huntly.

The first race was quick but most cars seemed to have missed the track setup and where slipping and sliding around, for myself I had a lot of wheel spin with no forward drive. Was running in forth behind Jared / Tim / Glenn and was happy with what was happening in front, just behind was Warren and Philip, not all that happy with how close they where and decided that I need to push a bit harder. After Philip and Warren had a tangle was happier as now had a small gap.
In front Tim and Jared also tangled going into Pit bend which allowed Glenn to take the lead and myself to get inside Jared, going into the cemetery bend Jared was now on the inside and leaning on the car, we came to a stop exiting the bend with the tank hard into the siderail, end result was a flat front left tyre for myself. This allowed Philip and Tim thru behind Glenn with Jared away again and myself following. Think the finishing was Glenn Jared Philip Tim and myself. Wayne had also done pretty well for his first time in the car with a seventh finish.

In the second race started from grid 2 and got the setup just about prefect, the car was hooked up and going. Deon in the 414H car was also going well and in front, felt like we got a break on the field and the car felt great. Managed to catch Deon and tried to pass on the inside, Deon came down to block which caused both of us to half spin and allowed Jared and Glenn to gain. This occurred again and by this stage needed to make something happen so tried to dive up the inside on the entry to pit bend and went too hard and lost the rear end of the car spinning onto the infield in a cloud of dust, resulting in another fifth place.

In the final race with only seven cars starting we lined up three wide and off we went, managed to get to the front going down the back straight”why?”, only to have again the tank hard into the side of the car coming out of pit bend. Tried to hold the line but around we went with Jared going to the wall and myself hitting the wall hard backwards, it takes a few moments to get everything back into place at the start of the season. So after finding a gear, turning the car around, realising the red was on, coming to a stop and seeing the tank on its side, then being repositioned facing the wrong way and behold there was Dads car with the bro in it with a big smile.

Anyway we got going again and think we finished 4th. With a car that by now wasn’t handling to good.

It was a credit to everyone, that there where no issues after the races and that everyone appeared to have a good time and the shots that where available where taken. Yes the rolling of Jared in the tank was more good luck than good management but you still have to be in the game, rather than watching and commenting.  

Track was brilliant, weather was a bit cold, crowd seen better, meeting good, night very enjoyable.

Only sad notes was that Dad couldn’t see all three of his sons on the track in cars that he has built. “First time this has been done by the team”.
Also comment from commentator stating that the superstocks should take a note from the stockcar racing”in reference to the contact that was occurring on the track” in one of their races.
What happened when the tank was rolled Mr commentator, how many roll overs where there in the other classes on the night by percentages of cars we assume at least 3. Oh and it was all for free.