NZ Speedway novice (Read 1,818 times)

[pom515]

Hi

I'm coming over from England for the Superstocks Global Challenge 248s, NZ Champs and Teams in Jan/Feb 2010 and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about how you guys do it.

I keep hearing about drivers contracting to certain tracks, what does this mean?

Also, what is greensheeting?

Any info would be appreciated

[mrelshauno]

To race you must be contracted to a certain club.
This is identified by the letter that follows the drivers number.
Eg; I used to run 22D, I was contracted to Island Park Speedway in Dunedin, D for Dunedin.
Likewise Drivers from Palmerston North and Rotorua have their numbers followed by a "P" or an "R".

Greensheeting is the process where, generally, the head vehicle checker from your contracted track will give the car a thorough inspection to make sure it complies with the rules and is safe to race.
The form that is used is green in colour, hence the name greensheet.

I think from memory this process needs to be done every 15 or 20 meetings completed in a season.

I'm sure others will correct me.

This is simple answers to those questions.

Enjoy your trip!!!

Where are you staying in Palmy North for the Teams weekend???

[pom515]

Thanks

Had trouble booking up anywhere local to the track so we're staying in Himatangi in a campervan park!

In the UK cars get technical and safety inspections before each and every meeting and scrutineering is also done on winning cars after each race to ensure they are within the rules. Is this the same in NZ or does the greensheeting cover this?

[mrelshauno]

Cars get scrutineered before the start of every meeting and notes get put in the cars log book.

[pom515]

I've seen some of your big events on dvd like the 240s which are decided over 3 races and random grid draw for each race but what happens at normal meetings, is it random grid draw for the heats and the feature race lines up in points order or are all races random grid draw?

[Saloon29s]

The grid draws aren't random. Before the meeting starts the drivers all pick a marble which has a grid draw on it. That is their grid draw for the first race. A formula is then used to work out their other starting positions. eg; if a driver picks grid 1 for the first race, then he will start off grid 30 in the second race and grid 15 in the third race.

[pom515]

So does this happen at all meetings or just championship events?

[Autopete55]

Always for Champs meetings or the other option is the dreaded 20-25 lap final where the draw is done like normal (marbles) and the 1st 2 heats determine the draw for the final race.

Club night draws are done by the class rep using the marble format but on some nights at some tracks it ends up "first up- best dressed".

Hope you have a great time over here and Im sure that the Himitangi folk will make you feel more than welcome.Theres a wee bit of a drive after a meeting to get back out there but the racing will more than make up for any travel time!!

[caz]

Ur looking at aprox 30min drive from track to where u r staying but faciltys are good if staying in cabin, and yes racing will defintly make up for your travel time!!! ;D ;D

[pom515]

I'm sure it will

Would have liked to have been a bit closer to palmy but I underestimated how big the event was, didn't realise that most places are booked up to a year in advance for the teams.

[pom515]

Slightly off topic but how much is a litre of diesel in new zealand?

Just trying to plan travel costs for the trip.

[Colin E]

Around $1.00 per litre in Auckland at the moment

[Admin]

$1.06 - $1.08 Per litre , generally cheaper at Gull stations and it does vary around the country a bit .
www.pricewatch.co.nz/

[racefan]

POM515, Check your pm's

[pom515]

Cheers for the reply

Cheaper than over here