Post by Go Slideways on Apr 12, 2009 22:05:02 GMT 12
A few pics from an excellent trip to Hawkes Bay. Heaps of titles on the line. 24 races Friday + 28 more on Saturday and only $15 per night. About 60 cents per race to watch millions of dollars worth of race machines do battle, chuck in the free program and you'll understand why I'll be able to afford to go back. Full value. ;D
As always, all opinions expressed or implied are purely my own & are not on behalf of any driver or team.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
28K TO NAPIER
Mitty's car was just one of many cool hot rods in attendance. I reckon it's got a very cool retro-evil look to it.
28K had a few issues with the engine management system but all will be sorted in Palmy this week.
I look forward to seeing the Bill Dorn type wing on this beast. Check out the matching coloured "Hoosier's". Chur, neat alright.
I know the thread said Superstocks & Stockcars, but I liked this cool slideways Ministock giving it heaps as well.
BB saved time by working on all sides of his car from the same spot. A very heavy car once you add the driver. Got good pit help from the friendly locals after a wheel went west. One of several grunty #7 Super Stocks on the night.
Shane Mellsop put his beautiful hot rod on the line in a brutal run off battle with Steve Jude for 2nd & 3rd in the East Coast Champs. It was like a mini teams race. Awesome.
My cell phone took this pic of the Mellsop v Jude run off action.
Malcolm Ngatai and his crew tried adding a keg of Dutch beer to the roof for a different weight distribution perspective.
In the end the wheel went back on and the keg went flat.
Malcolm has been a most excellent ambassador for speedway and has given his all til it hurt. I hope the NZ speedway family support his fund raiser to take on the World Champion FWJ and others in Europe to the same degree that Mal and his family have given to us fans.
If I'd known that the #1NZ team were putting on a hangi I'd have bought a ticket for that too. The trolley jack raffle sold out in no time.
P cars had a good weekend in HB
The infamous ex-Roydon Collingwood car #93P was driven by James and crewed by Daniel. Friendly people. The car has an inovative cooling system which can spray water onto the radiator during a race from a tank mounted behind the left front wheel.
These guys are living legends and truely nice people who are more than willing to help others and share their knowledge.
With help from his Dad this #7 went really really really fast.
With help from his Dad this #7 went well too.
"C'mon Dad, lets go..." very cool.
Was great to see Graeme Ward back to full health.
Stumpy (QBE) has been around the block a few times and has rare tales of gorge stockcars, and more.
Nathan Ward had a fair bit of practice repairing damage to the #97P steering over both nights.
Murray Guy has an interesting proverb under his avatar.
I also like the one "What goes around, comes around."
I'll post some pics of a new Palmy stockcar being built on another thread later.
This is one solid stockcar, took some decent hits & was up on the wall a few times but just kept on performing.
Built in the Bay by Head Hunter Race Cars.
The CSL powered stockcar #94B of Ross Leonard
Brad Ridlands Super Stock 5K
The exceedingly eloquent Beattle Tarrant's battle tank.
Beattle spoke a great eulogy at the send off for "The Weapon"
I'm not sure but I think this car may be sponsored by duck tape.
Team talk time around the #84B of Mike McLachlan.
This car was in the thick of the action on both nights.
Put hard hits on 71B all weekend and wound 97P off the front staight on the first night in a chassis bending T bone.
Ouch. Love it. Bring it.
Keith Hingston's crew at work on #7B
The hard hitting dream shattering #52B of Regan O'Brien.
Be great to see this HB car travel to Palmy in the future.
The way the track staff managed the change over between races made for a very efficient action packed meeting. Well done.
Panther Shane Penn fired his silver bullet around Meeanee at very high velocity
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Malcolm on his victory lap, 6B coming in
Adam Groome and his 6 cylinder Ford Falcon Super Stock 9B
3 different levels of stockcar racing, all good.
Out of the darkness into the light
It was great to see Graeme Ward back to full health and charging hard at he East Coast Stockcar Champs at Meeanee over the Easter weekend.
In his first race back in the heat (1) of the champs Graeme produced the drive of the year - 97P started at the back of the 24 car field and passed them all to win!
Graeme was sitting 3rd equal on points going into the final heat and the title looked within his grasp as he lead the feild with 3 laps to go, but.. as he was lapping a much slower car for the 3rd or 4th time he tangled with the HB car and his title shot was gone. I look forward to seeing some of the brave HB stockcars come to Palmy in the future.
Great to see Graeme well again, go hard mate!
Despite having thier own damage to attend to, the Penns were more than willing to help Brad, Grant, Stephen and anyone else who needed a hand or advice. Thanks heaps Shane & Bryce, you guys rock.
The big first night hit from 84B on 97P bent the chassis and broke the radiator mounts.
Fortunately Jack Miers was on hand to lend expert advice on how to apply duct tape and tie down repairs.
This is what a straight chassis looks like.
It's easy on the crew when they get the driver to do all the work.
...no wonder the driver gets a bit thirsty at the end of the day.
19P driver, the Legendary Kelvin Grey, had a great win on the weekend. Good health mate.
The next picture - apologies to Kelvin for taking such a stink shot of your victory lap.
I'll do better next time mate.
When I got home and saw this shot and the other stink ones I took, I thought to myself
"Geez there must be a better way, the camera I've been using all season has got lots of settings but the menu is all written in French"
So I thought "Bugger it, I may as well read the instruction book.."
The menu is now in English and I think I Know what to do... there's even a setting for moving objects at night!
I had it set on close-up baby shots during the day, all season.
At least the safety mesh at Meeanee appears to be in sound condition. ;D
Frankie Wainman Junior likes the wing on 64P
After watching how many punctures #1NZ got this season I was going to buy shares in the "Hoosier" company, but I reckon the "Duct Tape" company might be an equally good investment.
Hot Rod Gladiators
The little 22B Super Stock of Tony Meechan has got some pace.
Over Easter I had the privilege of meeting one of the nice guys of NZ speedway at Hawkes Bay, and again at Harrisville, 31H Super Saloon pilot Kevin Salle.
The Meeanee commentator said that Kevin had been racing since 1928 and that his win on the 2nd night was the 4th victory of his career. I don't believe it.
Alloy heads are OK but Kevin races with a chrome one.
Cheers mate.
A couple of Malcolms dedicated crew under the clear sparkle of the late Weapons sky.
Craig had a problem with his starter motor, it was buggered. "No worries Slideways - I've got 2 spare ones..."
After working on the car all day it turned out that the 2 spare ones were both buggered too.
"Bugger"
Old Fords Never Die
We enjoyed some great hospitality in the Bay & at the track, from the moment Blair met us at the gate.
Thanks for opening up your home & workshop and looking after us so well Craig. (We used Craigs tools in his shed while he was under his own car on the gravel driveway) If you ever need a hand in Palmy or Kihikihi - just sing out mate and we'll take care of it.
Bet BB is thinking "OK I'll pour, do you want one lump or two?"
Cheers, hope you liked the pics.
Go Slideways
As always, all opinions expressed or implied are purely my own & are not on behalf of any driver or team.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
28K TO NAPIER
Mitty's car was just one of many cool hot rods in attendance. I reckon it's got a very cool retro-evil look to it.
28K had a few issues with the engine management system but all will be sorted in Palmy this week.
I look forward to seeing the Bill Dorn type wing on this beast. Check out the matching coloured "Hoosier's". Chur, neat alright.
I know the thread said Superstocks & Stockcars, but I liked this cool slideways Ministock giving it heaps as well.
BB saved time by working on all sides of his car from the same spot. A very heavy car once you add the driver. Got good pit help from the friendly locals after a wheel went west. One of several grunty #7 Super Stocks on the night.
Shane Mellsop put his beautiful hot rod on the line in a brutal run off battle with Steve Jude for 2nd & 3rd in the East Coast Champs. It was like a mini teams race. Awesome.
My cell phone took this pic of the Mellsop v Jude run off action.
Malcolm Ngatai and his crew tried adding a keg of Dutch beer to the roof for a different weight distribution perspective.
In the end the wheel went back on and the keg went flat.
Malcolm has been a most excellent ambassador for speedway and has given his all til it hurt. I hope the NZ speedway family support his fund raiser to take on the World Champion FWJ and others in Europe to the same degree that Mal and his family have given to us fans.
If I'd known that the #1NZ team were putting on a hangi I'd have bought a ticket for that too. The trolley jack raffle sold out in no time.
P cars had a good weekend in HB
The infamous ex-Roydon Collingwood car #93P was driven by James and crewed by Daniel. Friendly people. The car has an inovative cooling system which can spray water onto the radiator during a race from a tank mounted behind the left front wheel.
These guys are living legends and truely nice people who are more than willing to help others and share their knowledge.
With help from his Dad this #7 went really really really fast.
With help from his Dad this #7 went well too.
"C'mon Dad, lets go..." very cool.
Was great to see Graeme Ward back to full health.
Stumpy (QBE) has been around the block a few times and has rare tales of gorge stockcars, and more.
Nathan Ward had a fair bit of practice repairing damage to the #97P steering over both nights.
Murray Guy has an interesting proverb under his avatar.
I also like the one "What goes around, comes around."
I'll post some pics of a new Palmy stockcar being built on another thread later.
This is one solid stockcar, took some decent hits & was up on the wall a few times but just kept on performing.
Built in the Bay by Head Hunter Race Cars.
The CSL powered stockcar #94B of Ross Leonard
Brad Ridlands Super Stock 5K
The exceedingly eloquent Beattle Tarrant's battle tank.
Beattle spoke a great eulogy at the send off for "The Weapon"
I'm not sure but I think this car may be sponsored by duck tape.
Team talk time around the #84B of Mike McLachlan.
This car was in the thick of the action on both nights.
Put hard hits on 71B all weekend and wound 97P off the front staight on the first night in a chassis bending T bone.
Ouch. Love it. Bring it.
Keith Hingston's crew at work on #7B
The hard hitting dream shattering #52B of Regan O'Brien.
Be great to see this HB car travel to Palmy in the future.
The way the track staff managed the change over between races made for a very efficient action packed meeting. Well done.
Panther Shane Penn fired his silver bullet around Meeanee at very high velocity
Malcolm on his victory lap, 6B coming in
Adam Groome and his 6 cylinder Ford Falcon Super Stock 9B
3 different levels of stockcar racing, all good.
Out of the darkness into the light
It was great to see Graeme Ward back to full health and charging hard at he East Coast Stockcar Champs at Meeanee over the Easter weekend.
In his first race back in the heat (1) of the champs Graeme produced the drive of the year - 97P started at the back of the 24 car field and passed them all to win!
Graeme was sitting 3rd equal on points going into the final heat and the title looked within his grasp as he lead the feild with 3 laps to go, but.. as he was lapping a much slower car for the 3rd or 4th time he tangled with the HB car and his title shot was gone. I look forward to seeing some of the brave HB stockcars come to Palmy in the future.
Great to see Graeme well again, go hard mate!
Despite having thier own damage to attend to, the Penns were more than willing to help Brad, Grant, Stephen and anyone else who needed a hand or advice. Thanks heaps Shane & Bryce, you guys rock.
The big first night hit from 84B on 97P bent the chassis and broke the radiator mounts.
Fortunately Jack Miers was on hand to lend expert advice on how to apply duct tape and tie down repairs.
This is what a straight chassis looks like.
It's easy on the crew when they get the driver to do all the work.
...no wonder the driver gets a bit thirsty at the end of the day.
19P driver, the Legendary Kelvin Grey, had a great win on the weekend. Good health mate.
The next picture - apologies to Kelvin for taking such a stink shot of your victory lap.
I'll do better next time mate.
When I got home and saw this shot and the other stink ones I took, I thought to myself
"Geez there must be a better way, the camera I've been using all season has got lots of settings but the menu is all written in French"
So I thought "Bugger it, I may as well read the instruction book.."
The menu is now in English and I think I Know what to do... there's even a setting for moving objects at night!
I had it set on close-up baby shots during the day, all season.
At least the safety mesh at Meeanee appears to be in sound condition. ;D
Frankie Wainman Junior likes the wing on 64P
After watching how many punctures #1NZ got this season I was going to buy shares in the "Hoosier" company, but I reckon the "Duct Tape" company might be an equally good investment.
Hot Rod Gladiators
The little 22B Super Stock of Tony Meechan has got some pace.
Over Easter I had the privilege of meeting one of the nice guys of NZ speedway at Hawkes Bay, and again at Harrisville, 31H Super Saloon pilot Kevin Salle.
The Meeanee commentator said that Kevin had been racing since 1928 and that his win on the 2nd night was the 4th victory of his career. I don't believe it.
Alloy heads are OK but Kevin races with a chrome one.
Cheers mate.
A couple of Malcolms dedicated crew under the clear sparkle of the late Weapons sky.
Craig had a problem with his starter motor, it was buggered. "No worries Slideways - I've got 2 spare ones..."
After working on the car all day it turned out that the 2 spare ones were both buggered too.
"Bugger"
Old Fords Never Die
We enjoyed some great hospitality in the Bay & at the track, from the moment Blair met us at the gate.
Thanks for opening up your home & workshop and looking after us so well Craig. (We used Craigs tools in his shed while he was under his own car on the gravel driveway) If you ever need a hand in Palmy or Kihikihi - just sing out mate and we'll take care of it.
Bet BB is thinking "OK I'll pour, do you want one lump or two?"
Cheers, hope you liked the pics.
Go Slideways
