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Post by Tony on Feb 3, 2013 13:11:11 GMT 12
Work took me to Northland last week. Our staff member there took us for a drive out to Opononi at the mouth of the Hokianga Harbour. Behind the town is a hill, and the views from the hill are out of this world.
And it was on top of that hill, pretty much in the middle of nowhere that I met Paul; an English chap making his third visit to New Zealand. He and his mate had been to the 240's, were killing time until last night's teams race in Auckland, and are then en route down country to Palmerston North.
More than anything, that summed up to me what a fantastic event the Teams Champs has become since the British Lions were added. So if you bump into Paul and his mate (whose name I didn't catch), or Shayne and Leanne who have been commenting on here this week as they travel on to Speedway Central, buy them a beer or a coffee. They're great people who are spending a truck-load of money to follow the sport that they love. Paul is going to be here in Wanganui later in the week to take a trip on the PS Waimarie, and I've told him to give me a call so I can feed and/or water him.
Welcome to New Zealand guys; here's hoping you have the time of your lives. ;D
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Post by shayne293 on Feb 3, 2013 22:30:56 GMT 12
Hi pal thanks for the welcome. This is a lot of money for us but to be honest we have tied it in with 3 weeks of holiday and just 1 absolute, definate, certain, no excuse, garaunteed place to be during that three weeks. Palmerston North for the teams. We have heard and seen on things like you tube so much over the years it has been a real aim for us too see one day so you guys are probably getting a bit revved up now with less than a week to go but can you imagine how we feel? I'm hoping its not but It may be the only time we ever see this!!! We managed to catch our first ever NZ meet on sat night at Rotorua we got a taxi their and the lady on the gate offered us a lift back now how cool is that and thank you. If you do see us your more than welcome to say hello we do drink beer and cofee and we also stand our round lol. We really are loving it so far an thats just 1 week into our holiday so thank you NZ people and just to keep it stockar c'mon GB :-)))))
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Post by theothermikeyb on Feb 5, 2013 8:36:14 GMT 12
I picked up a Dutch (and a German hitchhiker) on a wee way out of Nelson on Saturday. Not sure how the conversation got to speedway but it did but her dad had been a driver and she had been staying with family friends in Palmy and been to the stock car teams and was raving about it. She was off to chch then Sydney and gutted to hear she was missing the super stocks and the massive party it was.
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Post by Riggerman on Feb 5, 2013 10:20:34 GMT 12
And it was on top of that hill, pretty much in the middle of nowhere that I met Paul; an English chap making his third visit to New Zealand. He and his mate had been to the 240's, were killing time until last night's teams race in Auckland, and are then en route down country to Palmerston North. D What a small world indeed! I'm over here in England and ''Paul's mate'' is Neil - my brother! We all go watching the racing together most weekends back in England. They text me last week to say they randomly got talking to some nice guy on a hillside (which sounds a bit dodgy to me ;D) who asked where they were from and it turned out he followed the racing too - and that must have been you Inventory. They said how racing fans are the friendliest in the world! They're having a great time and will no doubt post on here when they are in an area with some Wifi as I've text them and told them about this thread. Make sure you say hi to them at Palmerston.  All the best to you all and happy racing, Chris. |
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Post by Willess on Feb 5, 2013 15:11:49 GMT 12
I have to say that this is the NICEST thread on MacGor's EVER.
Welcome to New Zealand and to our Sport.
Lets hope that you enjoy your stay and find loads more speedway fans that will look after you while you are here.
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Post by yellabelly34 on Feb 5, 2013 17:52:38 GMT 12
How do, I guess I'm the Paul the English chap! It certainly was a random place to meet a fellow oval fan, and was a meeting that will stick in my head forever. We're finally back on wi-fi after the last place not having it, so we shall be in touch to take you up on you're offer Inventory.
And as Chris has already said, this trip has again proved that stock car fans are some of the best in the world (well most, maybe not the ones that moved our bags off the bench at the 240s that were reserving our spot, but hey ho!) - and this trip really has backed up that theory. This trip has been full of nice surprises, from before the trip started and we were struggling with finding accommodation, a post on here lead to numerous replies and pm's from people on here that got us more options then you could dream of and offers to stop and see people if we were passing for a BBQ, etc. When I posted about getting in the pits at the 240s, a pm came from someone offering us pit passes, which we gratefully accepted and used to their full potential on the first night of the meeting.
While on the trip, we met Tonyon the hill near Opononi, and numerous other people while touring round and had some good conversations. At each meeting (including the Historic Festival at Hampton Downs) we've talked to the 'locals' about racing, racing back home and our trip and plans. It's safe to say we have been blown away by the people we've met.
It does cost quite a bit to make the trip, but as Shayne has said, it eases it a bit rolling it into a holiday and it really is worth every penny. My first visit was a once in a lifetime trip, that has now happened 3 times, each time I come I'm never disappointed and wanting more and that's what drives me to come again and go without things back home. And I hope this isn't the last trip I make (work have told me I've got to have a year or 2 off, but I will be back - or I may just look for a new job!).
And as has been said, if anyone see's us anywhere (I'm a tubby dark haired lad with glasses and Neil is a skinny blonde lad with sun burn), say hello. We're in New Plymouth at the moment, before heading to Levin for the Teams. At the teams we should be fairly obvious, the first night we'll be dressed as fighter pilots (pipes, flying caps, goggles and scarfs) and I'll have my 515 Sqn airforce flag with me, come and say hello and have some banter.
Also if anyone is heading to the uk, give me a shout, would love to repay some of the kindness that has been offered to us over here.
Here's to a cracking Team Champs, keep safe and have fun everyone and hopefully meet some of you there!
Cheers
Paul
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Post by shayne293 on Feb 5, 2013 18:23:38 GMT 12
Paul were very close now. We are in wanganui by the water we nipped into the track today and picked up the tickets. Didn't need to yet but I couldn't help myself. Grandstand B row M seats 51/52 yahoo. 3 more sleeps can't wait lol. I bet you Kiwis are chuckling to yourselves at us lot were like kids haha.
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Post by Tony on Feb 5, 2013 19:06:56 GMT 12
Great to hear from you Paul, and look forward to catching up later in the week.
And Shayne; PM me, and I'll arrange to meet you for a beer (my shout) before racing on Saturday; Paul and Neil too. I might even invite my mate Ramjam along; that would be a right treat for you ;D
Have a great time; the weather will improve tomorrow, and the forecast is magic for the weekend. It's a shame that Wanganui Warriors have drawn GB in the first round of racing, but I hope that you'll have a mobile car or two after Mr Podjursky has introduced his bumper to your guys!!
Regards
Tony
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Post by wildnaki on Feb 5, 2013 19:12:20 GMT 12
How do, I guess I'm the Paul the English chap! It certainly was a random place to meet a fellow oval fan, and was a meeting that will stick in my head forever. We're finally back on wi-fi after the last place not having it, so we shall be in touch to take you up on you're offer Inventory. And as Chris has already said, this trip has again proved that stock car fans are some of the best in the world (well most, maybe not the ones that moved our bags off the bench at the 240s that were reserving our spot, but hey ho!) - and this trip really has backed up that theory. This trip has been full of nice surprises, from before the trip started and we were struggling with finding accommodation, a post on here lead to numerous replies and pm's from people on here that got us more options then you could dream of and offers to stop and see people if we were passing for a BBQ, etc. When I posted about getting in the pits at the 240s, a pm came from someone offering us pit passes, which we gratefully accepted and used to their full potential on the first night of the meeting. While on the trip, we met Tonyon the hill near Opononi, and numerous other people while touring round and had some good conversations. At each meeting (including the Historic Festival at Hampton Downs) we've talked to the 'locals' about racing, racing back home and our trip and plans. It's safe to say we have been blown away by the people we've met. It does cost quite a bit to make the trip, but as Shayne has said, it eases it a bit rolling it into a holiday and it really is worth every penny. My first visit was a once in a lifetime trip, that has now happened 3 times, each time I come I'm never disappointed and wanting more and that's what drives me to come again and go without things back home. And I hope this isn't the last trip I make (work have told me I've got to have a year or 2 off, but I will be back - or I may just look for a new job!). And as has been said, if anyone see's us anywhere (I'm a tubby dark haired lad with glasses and Neil is a skinny blonde lad with sun burn), say hello. We're in New Plymouth at the moment, before heading to Levin for the Teams. At the teams we should be fairly obvious, the first night we'll be dressed as fighter pilots (pipes, flying caps, goggles and scarfs) and I'll have my 515 Sqn airforce flag with me, come and say hello and have some banter. Also if anyone is heading to the uk, give me a shout, would love to repay some of the kindness that has been offered to us over here. Here's to a cracking Team Champs, keep safe and have fun everyone and hopefully meet some of you there! Cheers Paul Hope you are enjoying your stay in the naki, if you want a ride down to palmy, pm me, ive got spare seats if you want a lift. |
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Post by MENTL1 on Feb 5, 2013 19:41:59 GMT 12
I bet you Kiwis are chuckling to yourselves at us lot were like kids haha. No not at all! 90% of us are exactly the same! we wait all year for this ;D ;D |
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Post by Tony on Feb 5, 2013 21:45:39 GMT 12
Dead right Mentl; I can't hardly wait. The excitement is almost too much for my ageing ticker! There are some fantastic first night match-ups.
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Post by shayne293 on Feb 6, 2013 20:39:36 GMT 12
It's good to see your as excited as us lot lol. How cool is this for a day then. We spoke to a friend and f1 driver in the UK Rob Harrod the other day he said while your their give this number a call they'll love to see you if yor passing by. This number happened to be Russell and Karen Joblin we called this morning and said we will be around if its ok to pop in to say hello and maybe a quick coffee. Karen said that's fine and coffee became lunch, lunch became 4 hours with a chat lunch and a tour of the workshop meeting Scott and a couple of the team whilst having a look round the cars and getting to see new bodies arriving with the signs all ready for the weekend. The time Russell and Karen gave us and hospitality was fantastic and a real treat for us. This yet again shows the kind of people all stox folk are and how passionate they all are about making sure everyone gets something out of this sport. A great day much appreciated and I can't wait to show my dad back home some of the workshop photos.
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Post by fireball on Feb 6, 2013 21:10:37 GMT 12
It's good to see your as excited as us lot lol. How cool is this for a day then. We spoke to a friend and f1 driver in the UK Rob Harrod the other day he said while your their give this number a call they'll love to see you if yor passing by. This number happened to be Russell and Karen Joblin we called this morning and said we will be around if its ok to pop in to say hello and maybe a quick coffee. Karen said that's fine and coffee became lunch, lunch became 4 hours with a chat lunch and a tour of the workshop meeting Scott and a couple of the team whilst having a look round the cars and getting to see new bodies arriving with the signs all ready for the weekend. The time Russell and Karen gave us and hospitality was fantastic and a real treat for us. This yet again shows the kind of people all stox folk are and how passionate they all are about making sure everyone gets something out of this sport. A great day much appreciated and I can't wait to show my dad back home some of the workshop photos. So when are you moving here lol. great to see nz hospitallity. |
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Post by Tony on Feb 6, 2013 22:02:08 GMT 12
You're a lucky bloke Shayne; most of us Kiwi speedway fans would give our right arm to have the day that you and Leanne have had today; the Joblins are speedway royalty.
Just two more sleeps to go, then hang on to your hat for the Greatest Show on Dirt ;D
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Post by shayne293 on Feb 7, 2013 5:53:03 GMT 12
Fireball ill be looking into properly when I get home ;D and yeah I know it's not the norm just to go wandering around but it was all sorted before. It's the same in the UK really Frankie has over the last couple of years held an open day on the farm where everything's their to view. We went a ride up to the last one. All the cars are there and the kids Hotstox and minis and their are chassis in piles old cars in containers and bits all over the place. Probably seems a bit odd to want to have a look round but it is interesting and again they make everyone welcome.
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Post by CLIFF on Feb 7, 2013 17:40:09 GMT 12
If one of you poms don't have a ticket for grandstand yet, give me a call before 9 tonight or after 3pm tomorrow, you can have it. don't want any time wasters putting on pommy accents either.
Cheers, Cliff.
0273906576
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Post by shayne293 on Feb 7, 2013 17:57:40 GMT 12
Thanks for the offer Cliff As I said earlier Leanne and myself are sorted but don't know about any others. I think a few of us will be around the square tomorrow. We're back in Wanganui again on the river the night before last it was a bit wet and dull it's stunning now just 1 sleep to go before all hell breaks loose yay. Now for a bit o this banter you all keep mentioning. Inventory we ain't here for the fun of it were taking silverware with us you just get the beer in tomorrow and ill explain whats gonna happen lol. laters y all. |
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Post by Tony on Feb 7, 2013 19:45:46 GMT 12
Had a great catch-up with Mike and Neil this afternoon, and will doubtless see them again over the weekend. Looking forward to having a couple of ales with my new Brit mates on Saturday afternoon before the money night starts.
Just one sleep to go, then it's all on for young and old!
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