Auckland Superstock Teams Nationals 2011 - Friday 11th March 2011

I think to begin a huge thanks to the club and committee for putting on the event, thanks to those drivers who made it happen, massive thank you to the other members of the Auckland Allstars team who let a first timer join their team. It was an awesome experience and I am really happy now that I was able to take part and especially a big thanks to those supporters out there cheering their heads off to all the teams.

So to turn the clock back a little the Auckland Team got off to a shaky start, it is not a secret that we don't have that many Superstocks registered and while we have 3 Marx cars by no means did we want to use all 3. Its a big task to keep one going with spares etc let alone 3. But I put my hand up to race, I took quite a bit of flack that I wasn't good enough, in fact at one of our meetings the comment was past (not by one of the drivers) that if Philip is in the team, you will loose (not said once but 3 times). I'm just so grateful that Paul, Ricky and Bryce all agreed to let me try, as it is also their cars on the line as well. Oh and can't forget thank you to Darryl Hammond for putting himself on the line for the team, he was meant to be the reserve driver in the 63a/9a machine, but ended up in the thick of the action.

Preparation for the cars started a couple of weeks before the meeting with PEM Industries stopping jobs to begin building up complete spare package for 3 cars, there was an immense amount of work and a lot of components built. As for the 3 cars pretty much every night and spare moment was spent on the 3 cars up until Friday morning making sure they were all prepared. Thursday afternoon cameras from TV3 's sports tonight showed up for a short preview which screened that night, whoever organized this needs a huge pat on the back what great exposure.

Friday 11th March
Basically my role was pre-decided and a simple one just hold them up as best you can, don't worry about the huge hits as the chances are I'd take myself out. So with that in mind I completely altered the suspension to in theory make the car easier to predict when being hit. We also knew prior to the event that in our group was Hawkes Bay and Palmerston, 2 great teams. Our first race up was against Hawkes Bay and during the hot laps it was evident that I'd have to change driving style a bit to keep the car under control. Not that it mattered as I was told to go sit on the infield. Now I'll admit to being a little upset and I know everyone said I would be the weakest link, and the best team should go out, but if your not given the chance how can you gain experience?
During that race Paul's car suffered major damage which put him out for the night, so the newbie would have to race next.

Auckland Allstars V's Palmerston North Panthers
First teams race ever and sitting on the rear of the grid.....wow what a feeling and what a noise. Those 8 cars were creating more noise and feeling than sitting in the middle of 25 car pack. My memory of the race isn't great but here goes.

Green light and with a job of trying to hold someone up, well that went out the window by the turn 2. Bryce did a great job of turning Shane Penn putting Peter Bengston into the lead with Peter Rees and Wayne Hemi powering down the back straight. Palmy 1,2 and 3. I looked around to see 2 of our cars (Bryce and Darryl) in the wall and Ricky spinning. So I had to just go for it and hope to stay on the same lap. Our number 9 was out quite early on but I also saw Wayne Hemi on the infield so that at least made it 3 on 3. As I didn't have a setup that helped in the corners it wasn't long before down the front straight I saw the 9 of Penn coming up the inside. Knowing that I wouldn't beat him into turn 1 and probably end up beginning straight lined (knocking me out of the race), I came off the gas to make sure he'd catch me before the corner. Sure enough a big hit in the side and pushed side ways into turn 1. The impact of hitting the rear corner first flung the car around digging the front corner in peeling the bumper open and parking me up the wall. But with a big rev the car lurched forward and came down. Unfortunately the throttle had stuck open and wouldn't return. We found out later that the gasket between the air cleaner and carb had got sucked down into the carb wedging the butterflies open.

The reds came on and I think I took my first breath for the race. I looked over to see Bryce parked on the infield so I was hoping the Ricky was still on the track leaving us with 2 on 3. I checked my mirror and saw Rees, but I was sure I'd past him twice which still had me in 3rd on the lead lap. Green light and I waited a moment and Rees flew by so I gave chase but I was sure I was still ahead. Now driving with the throttle open and riding the brakes for so many laps meant the peddle was either getting softer or my leg was just getting weaker? I think another lap went by and I came out of turn 2 looked down the back straight to see Ricky holding up all 3 Palmy cars, what an awesome sight and I thought what a great job he was doing. The next thought while hurling myself down the straight was "what the hell am I gonna do when I get up there?". With a jammed throttle and brakes only just keeping me off the wall, oh and by this stage my fan belt had come off and the temperature was climbing. Thank goodness for electric power steering.

As I caught up they all separated and I closed in on Penn with Rees spinning on the infield. Up ahead though Ricky was holding up Bengston until the entry of turn 2 where he squeezed past Ricky and Penn went through into first place. That was when I saw Bengston near the wall, I knew this was a pass for position but knowing I can't out run them I changed angle and took him head first into the wall. Thankfully I kept pointing in the right direction. It wasn't long after that I saw Ricky sent to the infield leaving me as the only Allstar on track, but still in second place. So I held onto the brake peddle and second place for the last few laps until the checkered flag. What a relief, not only for finishing my first race but the temperature needle was really really high so I could at least shut the engine down and let it cool down in its own time.

The first night was over with damage to all 5 cars, some of which looked pretty terminal. Saturday was going to be really busy. Once again thank you to all our sponsors / helpers who turn up and do all the dirty work. Dad, Wayne, Geoff, Dave, Tim, John...if it wasn't for the people in the back ground none of the cars would make it to the track.

To be continued......MadPhil