Waikaraka Park - 8th January 2011

Firstly happy new year to everyone, it has been a while since we suited up and jumped in the cars. But a good break over Christmas with friends and family is just what was needed. Last week we set to the 53a car with the welder and modified the rear shock mounts. The top mounting points are now about 100mm further back giving them a much improved angle of attack to the diff. Also an oil change and remounting the alternator were on the list of jobs. 63a got a new coat of paint and sign writing. Now that both 73 and 63 have had a refresh I'd better pull finger and get 53 done as well I suppose.

Before loading up, we jacked up the car taking the setup back to a neutral position to find out what effect the rear shock changes would have to the handling. Dad and Wayne returned 63a back to its normal setup as there was to be a new driver having a go in the car tonight.

Down at the track I think about 12 cars turned up, which is fantastic and a big thank you to all those who made the trek. While you can't do anything about cars breaking down it was great to have that number to at least start the night.

Race 1,Grid 1.
This was actually only the 4th race both 53 and 73 had started this season (only the 2nd for 63). I had a good start and ended up running 2nd for a good number of laps to 414h before being past by that red rocket 351a. I over drove a couple of corners and before I knew it I was caught by 16h who pushed me out of the way entering turn 1. My revs dropped to much and I wasn't able to close the gap by the end of the back straight. However I held on to 4th until the end of the race.

We have tried a few things but still haven't been able to work out why the engine is so sluggish between 5000 and 5600rpm. However the car went really well, just have to work out how to get the driver more consistent.

Race 2, Grid 7.
What a handful, the track dried out big time. I had no traction and the rear was way to loose. I burnt off about a 3rd of the tread on the rear wheels. 73a was having the same trouble and I slid into Bryce a couple of times and once with some help from someone. Near the end of the race I changed my corner entries to try and counter the loose rear but it was a lot of hard work.

Back in the pits and we had to change the suspension quite a bit, and had to change the front wheel as there was huge damage to the rim. Worst than I have seen for while, I can't quite understand how it could happen with bumpers that are meant to have rounded corners? Bryce also had to change one of his front wheels also, very strange.

Race 3, Grid 4
Not long after the start 16h showed me his rear bumper exiting turn 2 and just to say thanks for the first race push I gave it tap which I think turned it around. The next lap 11r was in a similar position so to thanks for past events the result was the same. About half way through I was picking up some speed again and tried to dive up the inside of 414 entering turn 3 but lost it and half spun both cars. I hit the wall backwards, which hurts no matter which way you do it. I got the car re fired but only managed another lap as I could smell a lot of fuel. Not knowing what had gone wrong I thought it was safer to park up, switch everything off and wait for a tow back to the pits.

We checked for fuel leaks but everything was fine, but looks like the battery died in the impact so we jumped started the car and drove it straight onto the trailer. I was also missing first gear so perhaps the impact has damaged the shifter, to top it all off the engine is now only running on maybe 6 cylinders so there is either a problem with the plugs, leads or one of the coils. So a very expensive mistake.

Up until then 53a had a really good night and thank you to all those who gave positive comments.

Unfortunately to end the racing on a sour note, when I took the car off the trailer to wash it on Sunday I found that someone had thrown rubbish in the car. If it was a member of the public walking through the pits afterwards this just shows that the pits should always be closed, or if it was another competitor (or team member) then just think how pissed off you would be if I chucked rubbish in your car. This is completely disgusting and who ever it was should be ashamed of such childish behavior.

Anyway, there is a lot of work to be done to the car now to get it running again. I won't be heading to Rotorua for the 240's, neither will 73a as the correct gear set cannot be located. Hopefully our next meeting will be the Waikato Superstock Champs on the 22/01 which is always a great event.