The time has come.. The helmet is hung.. (Read 10,746 times)

[alleycat137a]

Well I just want to start off by saying what an awesome weekend the teams at rotorua were. Sonja and her team certainly know how to put on a good meeting.
Unfortunitly the weekend didnt go the alleycats way but we still had an awesone time
After 15 years racing stockcars ( and a year racing superstocks) the time has come to call it quits. Now that I have a little boy I want to be spending quality time with him instead of being in the garage 3 nights a week and all weekend racing. As most of you would know they grow up to fast to miss out on it. The fact that most cars are 10 times faster then me and the injuries we have seen over the last year or so also helpt make the decision. My time with the alleycats has been so enjoyable thanks to every driver I've teams raced with. I'm so proud to say I was an alleycat. The one thing I will miss the most is racing with my good mate and the most under rated stockcar and teams racer in the country Gary Lonergan. Getting to live out my childhood dream of racing for the allstars at the palmy teams champs was a huge highlight. There's to many people to thanks but I must start by saying a huge thanks to the rawiri family. Not only for giving me the car to smash up but for the whole families support over the last 6-7 years. The krsinics for the kool new car they built me. Neil mcCoard. Dayne wright, My sponsors that have been with me for a Long time spartan for Toyota. Onsite caterers. My family. My supporters. Rissa, My crew aaron, marty chesnutt and anyone else that's helpt me over the years. And my partner Kim. It brought a tear to my eyes doing the victory lap on the back of Gary's car on Saturday knowing I had just driven my last race. I love the sport and hope I will be allowed to stay involved With the alleycats somehow. I know I've made some enemies over the years but I don't regret anything. I've had a ball racing in this awesome sport we have and helping decide a few championships with my rear bumper. Once again thanks to everyone that made the last 15 years possible.. Bloody awesome..

Jamie fergusson
Stockcar 96a
Stockcar 137a
Superstock 7a..

[chewy69a]

Well said mate, I'm sure all will agree that you left nothing on the track wherever you raced.

Big boots to fill for all future Alleycats.

Chewy 69a / 838a.

[Deleted]

All the best for the future, you have always been a hard racer , never short of some controversy around you at some meetings, always entertaining and one of those drivers that always keeps the others 2nd guessing as to what you up to out there.

[thegreenhornet]

Hey Jamie, all the best for you and your family. It was a pleasure racing with you (not much fun against). Your win in the 3rd place run-off against the Busters will go down as one of the great races. Don't be a stranger, hope to catch up soon.......

Gavin Taniwha

[SWP]

Enjoy retirement with the family Jamie. Thanks for all the photo ops....you appear lots :-)

[BarryB]

You will be missed that's for sure Jamie, but great to see you going out on your OWN terms. Happy retirement.

Barry B

[sumo71a]

So you have decided to come and join the Alleycat old boys in our rocking chairs. You are an Alleycat legend and it was a pleasure being your team mate for many years. Your retirement will also result in less time in the shed for me as I will no longer be removing the red paint from my steel work every week. Enjoy your family time Jamie and start saving for that ministock. Thanks for the memories Cheers Deano ex838

[gregobro]

One of the best entertainers ever at WP and a valuable member of both the Alleycats and Allstars, thanks for your incredible contribution to the stockcar classes.

[insane1]

jamie you were the reason a lot of us came to watch racing we never new what you were up to .enjoy your retirement and all the best for family in the coming years /

[tank11]

Hey Jamie, was asked a question today and maybe you could answer?

Is your car or Bruce's (8g) older?

Off the top of my head I said Bruce's but not so sure now.

Have a happy retirement.
Jon.

[craige]

Mar 3, 2015 18:41:05 GMT 12 tank11 said:

Hey Jamie, was asked a question today and maybe you could answer?

Is your car or Bruce's (8g) older?

Off the top of my head I said Bruce's but not so sure now.

Have a happy retirement.
Jon.

bruces car is def older john

[plody]

Jamie ur a legend in the stockcar class mate

Il be blunt ur a pain in the arse to race against but thats a compliment!

Was good catching up at rotorua and i for one respect ur decision. All the best with the family mate

Cheers
Andre stenson
stockcar 5h

[screaminV8]

We were just commenting on Saturday how strange it was to see you running laps at full pace!
It was so often 137a was crawling the pole line waiting for the next victim!
There was a meeting at Waikaraka a couple of years ago when the 137a had rolled cars and brought on the Reds 3 times, and still not completed a lap!! ? ?

All the best mate, and thanks for all the entertainment.

[Devilracer]

Finally I can watch racing without worrying if your going to be carted off in the white bus. Im sure the last 15yrs has been hard on you in every way but sure you have enjoyed it all. We have enjoyed travelling around watching you race. Racing against you for one season was enough.

[cookster]

All the best Jamie. Only known you a short while but you sure are a inspiration for use newboys. Was glad to be a part of the last weekend racing with the Alleycats. Look forward to seeing you around the pits at WP.
Good luck with the fishing...lol

[percy]

Thanks for all the entertainment you've provided over the years.

Many a racing night has been enhanced by your antics and it was fitting in your last race that the hit you made on Jordan Dare was integral to Gary winning the race.

Happy retirement.

[Hooncorp]

Well done Jamie,

Family does come 1st, and you seem to have all your facilities still intact, so sad, but good decision.

The honest truth is, ANY race you were in, I would commentate on the "pack" and keep one eye on you, especially when you were crawling around the pole line, which seemed to happen a lot. That was great, as I and pretty much every one else knew someone was in your sights. You are a hard, but fair driver, and a true representation of what we want a stockcar driver to be.

Hope you are staying involved in the sport, Auckland has many up and coming young drivers, and they could sure use guys like you for inspiration.

Mike (Hooncorp) Howe

[BarryB]

I think one of the funniest interviews I've ever done was with Jamie. It was down at Huntly and he'd just started racing the Superstock and immediately found how unfit he was. In the Stockcar he'd normally only do 2-3 laps per race as he trundled around making a general nuisance of himself. All of a sudden he was doing 10 laps - phew!!

Barry B

[fireball]

Thanks for all the entertainment over the years. One person on the track I always watched as I knew you would be after someone. All the best Jamie.

[chooken]

Well this hasn't come as a surprise to me at all. You are absolutely doing the right thing by wanting to put your family first.
As for your racing years, yes I will certainly miss going to watch you race. You have over the years entertained so many people with your racing and made so many friends and fans, who im sure are going to miss you as well. Your childhood dream to race a superstock has been a reality, and im sure its going to be one of the seasons you will never forget. Your kind, unselfish, caring attitude is what has got you where you are today. All I can say is thank you to all those people who have supported Jamie over the years to help him achieve what he has achieved. All the best son. Love Mum xx