|
|
Post by spuddy on Feb 2, 2024 18:48:00 GMT 12
Weather forecast tomorrow looking a bit dicey now unfortunately, saw a comment from Ruapuna that Monday is the reserve day but they will look to run the whole meeting on Sunday
In saying that tomorrows forecast is much the same as todays, and they would have run tonight imo
|
|
|
|
Post by azzurro on Feb 2, 2024 19:03:43 GMT 12
Having just got back from the classic, from memory  (two nights of qualifying) they run time trials to seeds the heats, then two heats (straight up, and reverse) of ~12 cars each, then C, B, and A main. The A main winner is locked in as top qualifier the rest are racked up on heat points. On finals night they have bronze silver and gold 'shot out' to set the final grids for the A main. Seemed to work pretty well, I can't recall sitting in the stand thinking this heat needs another 8 cars They don't really run a support class, the stock rods? are really there to work the track. This would be my preference, if I go to a sprintcar meeting I want to watch sprintcars, not saloon and definitely not stockcars It would be a joke running the midgets with the classic format (I agree the Classic and its format is great) but you are comparing 50-60 entries a night and 100-120 cars at the Classic to 35 midgets in NZ. 6 groups for 35 cars is too much. 11 and 12 car heats will form the grid we suspect in the feature with not surprises. Looking forward to watching some racing and seeing the usual suspects at the front. |
|
|
|
Post by percy on Feb 2, 2024 21:16:13 GMT 12
My enthusiasm for the title has dropped a notch today with the release of the schedule. Ruapuna has traditionally run 3 support classes in conjunction with the 15 heat format and it is a formula that has proven successful. Last years NZ Sprintcar Title was a good title, with the caveat that they lost the track fairly early on in the title race. That was their priority one work on for this year, or so you would think. Because we now have 4 support classes per night and 5:30pm starts. The last thing this show needs is more fluff and an early start time. The weather might save them, but at this time of year temperatures in the early-mid 30's are common in Christchurch and when scheduling a meeting that is what you should be preparing for. Yet the changes subject fans to the elements for longer and will make it even harder for the track staff to produce a race track worthy of the title race due to longer weather exposure and more race laps. All for something that isn't going to improve the show. The scheduling of Sprintcars for night two is especially perplexing given the effect that class has on the track. Yes, there are only 10 but wouldn't you schedule them for night one given the complexities of preparing a night two track? You could say the same for Wingless Sprints. It's like they're trying to make it as hard as possible for the track staff to prepare a track worthy of the title! Has there been much promotion of the meeting? I've scoured the two main "what's on" websites in Christchurch and not a mention that there is a New Zealand title being contested this weekend. I can tell you there is a Kilikite tournament and a clown workshop mid-week but a New Zealand Midget Title? Who knows! - www.christchurchnz.com/explore/whats-on - ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-onIs the club running another class to fatten the back gate rather than actually promote the title? One would hope not at a NZ Midget Title but that is what it looks like from the outside. |
|
|
|
Post by BarryB on Feb 2, 2024 23:27:27 GMT 12
My enthusiasm for the title has dropped a notch today with the release of the schedule. Ruapuna has traditionally run 3 support classes in conjunction with the 15 heat format and it is a formula that has proven successful. Last years NZ Sprintcar Title was a good title, with the caveat that they lost the track fairly early on in the title race. That was their priority one work on for this year, or so you would think. Because we now have 4 support classes per night and 5:30pm starts. The last thing this show needs is more fluff and an early start time. The weather might save them, but at this time of year temperatures in the early-mid 30's are common in Christchurch and when scheduling a meeting that is what you should be preparing for. Yet the changes subject fans to the elements for longer and will make it even harder for the track staff to produce a race track worthy of the title race due to longer weather exposure and more race laps. All for something that isn't going to improve the show. The scheduling of Sprintcars for night two is especially perplexing given the effect that class has on the track. Yes, there are only 10 but wouldn't you schedule them for night one given the complexities of preparing a night two track? You could say the same for Wingless Sprints. It's like they're trying to make it as hard as possible for the track staff to prepare a track worthy of the title! Has there been much promotion of the meeting? I've scoured the two main "what's on" websites in Christchurch and not a mention that there is a New Zealand title being contested this weekend. I can tell you there is a Kilikite tournament and a clown workshop mid-week but a New Zealand Midget Title? Who knows! - www.christchurchnz.com/explore/whats-on - ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-onIs the club running another class to fatten the back gate rather than actually promote the title? One would hope not at a NZ Midget Title but that is what it looks like from the outside. I can only give that report one "thumbs up" the traditional way, but l'd like to give it a second. 👍Barry B |
|
|
|
Post by hottamale on Feb 3, 2024 5:26:11 GMT 12
My enthusiasm for the title has dropped a notch today with the release of the schedule. Ruapuna has traditionally run 3 support classes in conjunction with the 15 heat format and it is a formula that has proven successful. Last years NZ Sprintcar Title was a good title, with the caveat that they lost the track fairly early on in the title race. That was their priority one work on for this year, or so you would think. Because we now have 4 support classes per night and 5:30pm starts. The last thing this show needs is more fluff and an early start time. The weather might save them, but at this time of year temperatures in the early-mid 30's are common in Christchurch and when scheduling a meeting that is what you should be preparing for. Yet the changes subject fans to the elements for longer and will make it even harder for the track staff to produce a race track worthy of the title race due to longer weather exposure and more race laps. All for something that isn't going to improve the show. The scheduling of Sprintcars for night two is especially perplexing given the effect that class has on the track. Yes, there are only 10 but wouldn't you schedule them for night one given the complexities of preparing a night two track? You could say the same for Wingless Sprints. It's like they're trying to make it as hard as possible for the track staff to prepare a track worthy of the title! Has there been much promotion of the meeting? I've scoured the two main "what's on" websites in Christchurch and not a mention that there is a New Zealand title being contested this weekend. I can tell you there is a Kilikite tournament and a clown workshop mid-week but a New Zealand Midget Title? Who knows! - www.christchurchnz.com/explore/whats-on - ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-onIs the club running another class to fatten the back gate rather than actually promote the title? One would hope not at a NZ Midget Title but that is what it looks like from the outside. |
|
|
|
Post by energypower on Feb 3, 2024 7:13:45 GMT 12
My enthusiasm for the title has dropped a notch today with the release of the schedule. Ruapuna has traditionally run 3 support classes in conjunction with the 15 heat format and it is a formula that has proven successful. Last years NZ Sprintcar Title was a good title, with the caveat that they lost the track fairly early on in the title race. That was their priority one work on for this year, or so you would think. Because we now have 4 support classes per night and 5:30pm starts. The last thing this show needs is more fluff and an early start time. The weather might save them, but at this time of year temperatures in the early-mid 30's are common in Christchurch and when scheduling a meeting that is what you should be preparing for. Yet the changes subject fans to the elements for longer and will make it even harder for the track staff to produce a race track worthy of the title race due to longer weather exposure and more race laps. All for something that isn't going to improve the show. The scheduling of Sprintcars for night two is especially perplexing given the effect that class has on the track. Yes, there are only 10 but wouldn't you schedule them for night one given the complexities of preparing a night two track? You could say the same for Wingless Sprints. It's like they're trying to make it as hard as possible for the track staff to prepare a track worthy of the title! Has there been much promotion of the meeting? I've scoured the two main "what's on" websites in Christchurch and not a mention that there is a New Zealand title being contested this weekend. I can tell you there is a Kilikite tournament and a clown workshop mid-week but a New Zealand Midget Title? Who knows! - www.christchurchnz.com/explore/whats-on - ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-onIs the club running another class to fatten the back gate rather than actually promote the title? One would hope not at a NZ Midget Title but that is what it looks like from the outside. I can only give that report one "thumbs up" the traditional way, but l'd like to give it a second. 👍Barry B |
|
|
|
Post by spuddy on Feb 3, 2024 7:14:29 GMT 12
Around town, I don’t think I have noticed any advertising for it, I get all my info off the Facebook page
I’m not a big fan of the decision to try and run the entire program in 1 day if rained out today. May be due to the travelling drivers but the track will get hammered in 1 day
I’m 5 mins from the track, currently overcast but no rain overnight, hopefully they are as wrong with the forecast today as they were yesterday, I’ll head along if Palmy is rained out
|
|
|
|
Post by energypower on Feb 3, 2024 7:43:50 GMT 12
In all fairness. The two sites you mention are controlled by Christchurchnz. Christchurchnz (controlled by the Christchurch City Council) who are not really interested in promoting any event in Christchurch unless they have some involvement. They waste a hell of a lot of ratepayers' money.
The Christchurch Star published a very good article in this week's edition on the NZ midget car championship. Readership of this free paper is over 100,000. It is delivered free to every household in Christchurch.
As for the Christchurch Press it is hopeless at promoting or talking about local motor sport unless of course they can publish the bad news about the sport.
This weekend is a big weekend for motor sport in Christchurch. We have the Skope Classic being run on the tar seal next to the Speedway. I am going to both.
Methanol Madness presented on Thursday night is a very good watch of what is happening in Speedway in Christchurch and further afield. See Ruapuna Speedway on Facebook for details. It has very good and entertaining information on the NZ Midget car championship for this weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by openwheelfan01 on Feb 3, 2024 10:42:50 GMT 12
Speedwy gets very little media coverage here its not suprisung really. have to rely other sources like fb pages to inform public actually NZ Midget championship taking place. if ever superstocks take there teams champs down South you would imagine would be all over papers and media. unfortunately Midgets just dont appeal to wider audience. like to know if there is any radio coverage of this meeting down in the south.
|
|
|
|
Post by hottamale on Feb 3, 2024 11:09:46 GMT 12
Around town, I don’t think I have noticed any advertising for it, I get all my info off the Facebook page I’m not a big fan of the decision to try and run the entire program in 1 day if rained out today. May be due to the travelling drivers but the track will get hammered in 1 day I’m 5 mins from the track, currently overcast but no rain overnight, hopefully they are as wrong with the forecast today as they were yesterday, I’ll head along if Palmy is rained out There has been a very solid amount of ads up on the electronic signs around town seems like everytime I drive past one the Ruapuna ad is screening - particularly out Hornby |
|
|
|
Post by spuddy on Feb 3, 2024 11:19:01 GMT 12
I must be timing it wrong lol, see Woodford Glen on the Hornby one a bit
Weather has cleared up for now after some light rain this morning
|
|
|
|
Post by cae76 on Feb 3, 2024 14:22:34 GMT 12
Down at the Hornby mall (close to Ruapuna) around lunch time talked to Luke McClymonts sponsors while they were having a bite to eat.Also saw a few others walking around with team shirts on obviously from the North island.Good to see them supporting local business.Weather is a bit overcast but seems to be blowing over.Bit cool but ideal for track prep.
|
|
|
|
Post by spuddy on Feb 3, 2024 14:39:53 GMT 12
Some dirty big clouds in the vicinity at the moment, need to hope they go round, some serious thunder without any rain at this stage but if it does rain it will come down heavy
|
|
|
|
Post by magilla on Feb 3, 2024 16:47:54 GMT 12
Mosen new lap record in hot laps
|
|
|
|
Post by azzurro on Feb 3, 2024 18:02:47 GMT 12
Changing times
When was the last time HLR wasn’t present at the NZ Midget Champs? I’m guessing about 25 years or so.
The focus on sprintcars has become evident with 4 cars this year and no midgets currently
|
|
|
|
Post by accobra on Feb 3, 2024 19:10:11 GMT 12
Mosen fast.
Aaron Hodgson looking good.
|
|
|
|
Post by brettgrace on Feb 3, 2024 20:08:56 GMT 12
Changing times When was the last time HLR wasn’t present at the NZ Midget Champs? I’m guessing about 25 years or so. The focus on sprintcars has become evident with 4 cars this year and no midgets currently If that doesn't speak volumes I don't know what will. |
|
|
|
Post by brickie on Feb 3, 2024 20:23:46 GMT 12
Mosen fast. Aaron Hodgson looking good. Nice. Get in there Bradley. |
|
|
|
Post by 410cowboy on Feb 3, 2024 21:58:02 GMT 12
Mosen probably looks the better of the competition, car seems to work better off turns than most.. Pickens looks like he playing the long game. He will be there or there abouts come A main.
Some pretty average driving by some tonight, pretty average track by ruapuna standards
Onto tomorrow
|
|
|
|
Post by accobra on Feb 3, 2024 22:14:47 GMT 12
Mosen, Gilford and Maskovich the ones that shone tonight.
Pickens still in the hunt. As is Aaron Hodgson.
Bring on night 2.
.
|
|
(two nights of qualifying) they run time trials to seeds the heats, then two heats (straight up, and reverse) of ~12 cars each, then C, B, and A main. The A main winner is locked in as top qualifier the rest are racked up on heat points. On finals night they have bronze silver and gold 'shot out' to set the final grids for the A main. Seemed to work pretty well, I can't recall sitting in the stand thinking this heat needs another 8 cars 
