Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Nov 8, 2009 18:42:50 GMT 12
Wednesday evening, 4 Nov we race Kihikihi Speedway,
driving home to Tauranga relaxed and looking forward to my return visit.
Do yourself and the family a favour, head for Kihikihi Speedway this Sunday 15 November.
Going to miss it as I'm in CHCH for the weekend, Woodford Glen and the super saloon Champion of Champions!
Maurice Cowling 271m flicks mud in my eye! ...
;D Friday evening 6 Nov we race Rotorua Speedway, driving home relaxed following an absolutely mind-blowing speedway experience (in more ways than one).
Some of the saloon folk are like a fireworks display (week in, week out, anything can happen and it usually does)!
Check it out for yourself this Friday evening, a $5 club night.
Tauranga's my home town, I've actually got one of two supporters here (aside from wife and grandsons). Conflict of Interest issues (as a City Councillor) means I can't contract to my home track, Baypark, and Willie has a track record of telling visiting saloons they're not needed / wanted. Answer: Take 13r Saloon to Baypark for pilots, Kyle Petersen and Bernie Gillon, the 'whale rider'.
Saturday begins well with clear skies and a ride on the Bonnie!
At 9.00am 1200 bikers begin a short ride from Baypark into the City to protest the proposed huge increase in ACC levies!
Have to go out to lunch, will report further later ....
Here's a u-tube c lip of the super saloon 'fireworks', race one.
SATURDAY EVENING 7 Nov 09
As much as I enjoy getting behind the wheel, putting on a helmet, my speedway (motor sport) enjoyment includes spectating, the drive to the track, meeting old friends, getting hassled by those 'not so friendly'!'
At 4.30pm the pits aren't crowded, 15 or so stockcars, similar sprint cars, mid 20s saloons. Handful of super saloons, including Neville Stewart deputing his 'new to him' super saloon.
It's obvious the saloons are the 'backbone' of Baypark Speedway in 2009, yet get treated like another part of the body. A role of the stock cars in the past?
Making up for the low competitor numbers on the track was the quality of the fields. The ministocks always impress in presentation and race skills. At Baypark they are travelling at quite a pace, many drivers barely reaching the pedals and seeing over the steering wheel!
The quality of the saloons at Baypark is very high.
The stand out in performance and appearance being Brent McClymont 1NZ.
I anticipate saloon national championship events are going to be a 2 horse race this season - Williams and McClymont, threatening will be a number of others.
The super saloon ranks were dominated by Shane McIntyre 1NZ driving straight and fast.
I have Shane as a hot favourite to take out the Champion of Champion Super Saloon event at Woodford Glen this coming weekend (13/14 Nov) if he can avoid the mobile chicanes.
Santa has elves, Willie has Jase the ace! By all accounts, Willie nearly lost his infield 'main man' to a truck and trailer sandwich I'm told. Great to see Jasen doing what he loves, especially the fact that he is able to!
Kyle peddled the 13r saloon in heat one, starting and finishing 6th. I suspect the sword hanging over his head influenced how
many risks he took!
GRID UP ON TRACK FOR SALOON HEAT ONE:
Bernie took over for heat two starting in grid 18.
Unfortunately a rub early in to his (my) right rear caused Bernie to go from a saloon to a trike after a few laps.
Heat two Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Saloon Final, heat three has Kyle back in the seat and races well. A stoppage a lap from the ended coincided with a thought an issue with the steering might be developing - his pulled in.
Michele Wymer had a very deserved win in her immaculate corvette.
When is an 'Indian File' saloon start NOT an 'Indian File' saloon start?
Sadly, at most SNZ tracks around the country as referees choose expediency over applying the race rules.
Clearly SNZ and it's saloon competitors never watch circuit racing where starts and racing rules are enforced, penalties applied, professionalism reigns. Indian File: Race start, orange lights out, cars bumper to bumper, 2 abreast. Quite simple rarely. Gaps are created to disadvantage cars to the rear and to pre-empt (jump) the start leaving those behind struggling.
Cows are more orderly heading for milking!
Check out race one start and watch for the 'green light':
Michele after her victory presentation:
A jolly pleasant evening of speedway was had at Baypark Speedway, Willie's sandpit.
From where I sat the track looked very race-able all night,
with the dust storms rising only when the attention from 650-800hp got too much for it!
Yip, a bit more on the menu, and the plate, would be great,
BUT what was there was quality, and professionally presented. Complimented by an awesome fireworks display!
;D Yip, I got my $20's worth.
;D
