Post by The Observer on Mar 4, 2011 8:28:09 GMT 12
OAS Racing: SI Streetstocks
Not a usual West Coast day – usually its bright blue, or black with rain. Today it was high cloud mixed with a little mist and some drizzly crap every now and then. To be honest it reminded me of summer weather in Palmerston North with the Humidity. And like Palmerston North, the club was determined to run the meeting, and the weather behaved, and actually got better as the day went on.
With 30 odd streetstocks in the pits for the South Island title, they were to be split into two groups, have two races, and the top 26 go into a three race program. What this meant for stockcars was an extra race on the program, which was a little dodgy since Both Olly and I had turned up with two full race cans, but nothing in the tanks. We promptly emptied one can into both tanks, and had to conserve fuel (yeah right) for the remainder of the day.
We dropped the rear tyres down a few sizes from Nelson to see how we went, and of course had the clutch out to remove a couple of spacers from the Quartermaster throughout bearing. Banged it back together, and instant clutch, didn’t have to touch the clutch plate which was pretty cool.
We had two keen visitors which was great to see, in 96e Steve Bidulph and a car from Christchurch, formerlly 22c who was formerly 95c I think. Apologies for not coming over and saying gidday, no crew for this meeting – well, not quite true, had Johnny Oliver as a 0.5 crew who helped me strap in. Let me know if you want to give me a hand on raceday, and help is always appreciated!
Heavy track for the first – we had changed the tyres down a size, but in the process taken some stagger out of the back, and the car took a few laps to get the hang off. It was tight turning in, and it took me most of the race to work out how to drive around that. Ended up half spinning Steve BIdulph and getting trapped behind him, and came home in a respectable 8th. There was a good field of 14 cars there, with 12 locals which might have been the top numbers for this season, and it was good to see the Graeme Daily car out for a spin with Brendon Mumberson behind the wheel, and Graeme welding the spanners, and keeping the car out there. Which he certainly had to do, as Mumby was right amongst it from the get go, walling cars and keeping it pinned all the time, even if it was sideways where it should have been straight on occasion, haha.
Had a third in the next I think, and a couple of other results. Dodgy switch played up in the the third race (4th position finished I think) which drives the power steering and electric fan. Need to put that on the list of jobs to do, as it was hard work getting around with no power steering, and the car got hot (unusual thanks to the alloy Affco radiator) with the fan off. WE put a bit of water in, and got back out there. Was running in 2nd for a spell until black doug half spun us both at the end of the race, we recovered for 2nd and 3rd.
Overall a good day, With Olly showing the pace that helped him qualify for the nZs by winning two - alll that practice hitting the polelione is paying off, and here is some of the elusive proof
He also showed the mongrel by coming off the grass in the 4th to take out Jason Smith and Black Doug. Pity about the chrome rim he wrecked, but great to see him keep the boot up even when crossed up on the infield to get back on the track. Steve from Blenheim rewarded for the big trip down with a win (or was it two?), and third overall on the day.
22c unfortunately was hurt in a big accident with Mumby and was taken away in the ambulance. Hope the repairs to the body are progressing well mate.
Congratulations to Simon Bland returning from suspension to take the SI streestock title, Kelly Campbell in the AU falcon for 2nd, and Blair Leigh for being awarded 3rd after protesting something at the end of the meeting – sorry, not sure on the detail, but he did mention a quick comment to James in his after match speech, must be plenty of passion in the CHCH streetstock field i reckon. Good to see.
Thanks for the read, and a big thanks to coast photos for lending us his pics – check out heaps more from the South Island Streetstock Champs here. Thats it till this weeks Best pairs meeting – look foward to that one.
coastphotos.org/Photo/index.php?level=collection&id=5
Not a usual West Coast day – usually its bright blue, or black with rain. Today it was high cloud mixed with a little mist and some drizzly crap every now and then. To be honest it reminded me of summer weather in Palmerston North with the Humidity. And like Palmerston North, the club was determined to run the meeting, and the weather behaved, and actually got better as the day went on.
With 30 odd streetstocks in the pits for the South Island title, they were to be split into two groups, have two races, and the top 26 go into a three race program. What this meant for stockcars was an extra race on the program, which was a little dodgy since Both Olly and I had turned up with two full race cans, but nothing in the tanks. We promptly emptied one can into both tanks, and had to conserve fuel (yeah right) for the remainder of the day.
We dropped the rear tyres down a few sizes from Nelson to see how we went, and of course had the clutch out to remove a couple of spacers from the Quartermaster throughout bearing. Banged it back together, and instant clutch, didn’t have to touch the clutch plate which was pretty cool.
We had two keen visitors which was great to see, in 96e Steve Bidulph and a car from Christchurch, formerlly 22c who was formerly 95c I think. Apologies for not coming over and saying gidday, no crew for this meeting – well, not quite true, had Johnny Oliver as a 0.5 crew who helped me strap in. Let me know if you want to give me a hand on raceday, and help is always appreciated!
Heavy track for the first – we had changed the tyres down a size, but in the process taken some stagger out of the back, and the car took a few laps to get the hang off. It was tight turning in, and it took me most of the race to work out how to drive around that. Ended up half spinning Steve BIdulph and getting trapped behind him, and came home in a respectable 8th. There was a good field of 14 cars there, with 12 locals which might have been the top numbers for this season, and it was good to see the Graeme Daily car out for a spin with Brendon Mumberson behind the wheel, and Graeme welding the spanners, and keeping the car out there. Which he certainly had to do, as Mumby was right amongst it from the get go, walling cars and keeping it pinned all the time, even if it was sideways where it should have been straight on occasion, haha.
Had a third in the next I think, and a couple of other results. Dodgy switch played up in the the third race (4th position finished I think) which drives the power steering and electric fan. Need to put that on the list of jobs to do, as it was hard work getting around with no power steering, and the car got hot (unusual thanks to the alloy Affco radiator) with the fan off. WE put a bit of water in, and got back out there. Was running in 2nd for a spell until black doug half spun us both at the end of the race, we recovered for 2nd and 3rd.
Overall a good day, With Olly showing the pace that helped him qualify for the nZs by winning two - alll that practice hitting the polelione is paying off, and here is some of the elusive proof
He also showed the mongrel by coming off the grass in the 4th to take out Jason Smith and Black Doug. Pity about the chrome rim he wrecked, but great to see him keep the boot up even when crossed up on the infield to get back on the track. Steve from Blenheim rewarded for the big trip down with a win (or was it two?), and third overall on the day.
22c unfortunately was hurt in a big accident with Mumby and was taken away in the ambulance. Hope the repairs to the body are progressing well mate.
Congratulations to Simon Bland returning from suspension to take the SI streestock title, Kelly Campbell in the AU falcon for 2nd, and Blair Leigh for being awarded 3rd after protesting something at the end of the meeting – sorry, not sure on the detail, but he did mention a quick comment to James in his after match speech, must be plenty of passion in the CHCH streetstock field i reckon. Good to see.
Thanks for the read, and a big thanks to coast photos for lending us his pics – check out heaps more from the South Island Streetstock Champs here. Thats it till this weeks Best pairs meeting – look foward to that one.
coastphotos.org/Photo/index.php?level=collection&id=5
