Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Dec 2, 2008 10:01:37 GMT 12
A cancellation of a race meeting at Kihikihi on 30 November 08 created a rare 'window of opportunity' to re-visit Oceanview Speedway in Wanganui.
I last raced at Oceanview at the invitation of the Sloman's, about 4 years ago, being in Stratford at the time and rained off! The night involved two races, one to the track following Brett Sloman from Stratford to Wanganui, another at the track!
I was looking forward to my return to Wanganui, although at the time of arranging, not appreciating how exhausted I was going to be after completing the 3200km Southern trip the week earlier!
Sunday 9am and I'm on the road with 360kms to go, potential crew still in the sack having raced at Baypark the night before!
Love that drive into Taupo from the Northern Side on a fine day, the lake, the mountains ...
Was a bit weary about traveling via Taupo as it was the weekend thousands of weird folk dressed in leotards peddled around Taupo. Seriously, why any sane person would desert a perfectly good motor vehicle for a push bike defies logic. My trailer has been a magnet for such folk in the past!
Fortunately the mad masses appear to have gone. leaving only a few sporting red balloons.
It's not just the South Is that has it's snow clad peaks, Ruapehu looking magnificent!
And then to follow a rare climpse of Mt. Egmont, or is that Taranaki?
The Ruakawa falls looked equally impressive ...
The mountains, waterfalls, none were as pleasing to see as the mighty Wanganui River, this meaning I had arrived. Even the paddle boat was waiting for us!
The gateway to Oceanview …
Priorities first, let’s get reacquainted with the track!
Even I can see why the name OCEANVIEW came about ...
The former car of Ash Cook, 69s now being peddled very ably (albeit a bit erratically) by Sam Korff.
Ash Cooks 4s ex Tony Cardwell car is lurking in the background ..
Richard Allen 32v had a few water and handling issues ...
The ex 51R XB Falcon of Debbie and Muzza Service, now owned and raced by Korff senior, Craig!
Craig, seen in the photo, appears to be doing some kind of ritualistic dance
Now this car sent a shiver up my spine on arrival, the TR8 of Thomas Korff,
recalling the days of getting bunted and shunted by Neville Stuart in his Enerpac TR8.
Bit like a poodle with identity issues! ;D
Certainly some nice machinery here at Oceanview ...
First off the TR8 scared the pants off me thinking Neville Stewart was back (figuratively speaking!),
and then I could help but notice 20 plus SNZ Officials - Can't all be here just 'cause I'm here, SURELY!
Even a dude that I saw the previous Sunday at Blenheim.
The big SNZ Official numbers didn't help them control the saloon races.
Whoever was on the lights either had very big fingers and the shakes, or very small light controls ...
spun up cars everywhere in the feature had the yellows on for 1/2 a lap,
then the green before any regridding could take place?
Turns out SNZ had held a training seminar at Wanganui over the weekend.
Seems like there might be 'more work required'.
Fortunately the hospitlity, the weather, the fact that the saloons were out their primarilly just to put on a show / entertain ..
nobody cared and it didn't detract from a relaxing afternoon.
With all the SNZ Officials present saloon competitors finished their racing off with a 'donut display'.
I wonder if donuts was a topic on their agenda as every track official around NZ seems to have a different understanding of the rules!
The Wanganui attitude was, "you're here to entertain!"
They can't have had the memo from the 'fun police'
that entertainment is not allowed!
luv that racin'! See u at the track if you're there to have fun ..
SALOON RACE RESULTS and REPORT (Copied from Oceanview site): Full report now posted on www.oceanviewspeedway.co.nz.
The crowd was treated to the unusual sight of saloons competing on the tight circuit. With 13R Murray Guy making the trip down it was great to see the Stratford boys support the event with 4S Ash Cook, 8S Craig Korff, 16S Thomas Korff and 69S Sam Korff rolling through the shute. Joining them were Wanganui's 32V Richard Allen and 15P Keith Davis. The racing was marred a little bit by the track slicking off under the baking sun but while the grip held it was spectacular stuff.
Race One: 1. 13R Murray Guy. 2. 4S Ash Cook. 3. 69S Sam Korff. 4. 8S Craig Korff. 5. 16S Thomas Korff. 6. 15P Keith Davis.
Race Two: 1. 4S. 2. 69S. 3. 13R. 4. 15P. 5. 16S. 6. 8S.
Race Three: 1. 69S. 2. 8S. 3. 13R. 4. 16S. 5. 4S. 6. 15P.
I last raced at Oceanview at the invitation of the Sloman's, about 4 years ago, being in Stratford at the time and rained off! The night involved two races, one to the track following Brett Sloman from Stratford to Wanganui, another at the track!
I was looking forward to my return to Wanganui, although at the time of arranging, not appreciating how exhausted I was going to be after completing the 3200km Southern trip the week earlier!
Sunday 9am and I'm on the road with 360kms to go, potential crew still in the sack having raced at Baypark the night before!
Love that drive into Taupo from the Northern Side on a fine day, the lake, the mountains ...
Was a bit weary about traveling via Taupo as it was the weekend thousands of weird folk dressed in leotards peddled around Taupo. Seriously, why any sane person would desert a perfectly good motor vehicle for a push bike defies logic. My trailer has been a magnet for such folk in the past!
Fortunately the mad masses appear to have gone. leaving only a few sporting red balloons.
It's not just the South Is that has it's snow clad peaks, Ruapehu looking magnificent!
And then to follow a rare climpse of Mt. Egmont, or is that Taranaki?
The Ruakawa falls looked equally impressive ...
The mountains, waterfalls, none were as pleasing to see as the mighty Wanganui River, this meaning I had arrived. Even the paddle boat was waiting for us!
The gateway to Oceanview …
Priorities first, let’s get reacquainted with the track!
Even I can see why the name OCEANVIEW came about ...
The former car of Ash Cook, 69s now being peddled very ably (albeit a bit erratically) by Sam Korff.
Ash Cooks 4s ex Tony Cardwell car is lurking in the background ..
Richard Allen 32v had a few water and handling issues ...
The ex 51R XB Falcon of Debbie and Muzza Service, now owned and raced by Korff senior, Craig!
Craig, seen in the photo, appears to be doing some kind of ritualistic dance
Now this car sent a shiver up my spine on arrival, the TR8 of Thomas Korff,
recalling the days of getting bunted and shunted by Neville Stuart in his Enerpac TR8.
Bit like a poodle with identity issues! ;D
Certainly some nice machinery here at Oceanview ...
First off the TR8 scared the pants off me thinking Neville Stewart was back (figuratively speaking!),
and then I could help but notice 20 plus SNZ Officials - Can't all be here just 'cause I'm here, SURELY!
Even a dude that I saw the previous Sunday at Blenheim.
The big SNZ Official numbers didn't help them control the saloon races.
Whoever was on the lights either had very big fingers and the shakes, or very small light controls ...
spun up cars everywhere in the feature had the yellows on for 1/2 a lap,
then the green before any regridding could take place?
Turns out SNZ had held a training seminar at Wanganui over the weekend.
Seems like there might be 'more work required'.
Fortunately the hospitlity, the weather, the fact that the saloons were out their primarilly just to put on a show / entertain ..
nobody cared and it didn't detract from a relaxing afternoon.
With all the SNZ Officials present saloon competitors finished their racing off with a 'donut display'.
I wonder if donuts was a topic on their agenda as every track official around NZ seems to have a different understanding of the rules!
The Wanganui attitude was, "you're here to entertain!"
They can't have had the memo from the 'fun police'
that entertainment is not allowed!
luv that racin'! See u at the track if you're there to have fun ..
SALOON RACE RESULTS and REPORT (Copied from Oceanview site): Full report now posted on www.oceanviewspeedway.co.nz.
The crowd was treated to the unusual sight of saloons competing on the tight circuit. With 13R Murray Guy making the trip down it was great to see the Stratford boys support the event with 4S Ash Cook, 8S Craig Korff, 16S Thomas Korff and 69S Sam Korff rolling through the shute. Joining them were Wanganui's 32V Richard Allen and 15P Keith Davis. The racing was marred a little bit by the track slicking off under the baking sun but while the grip held it was spectacular stuff.
Race One: 1. 13R Murray Guy. 2. 4S Ash Cook. 3. 69S Sam Korff. 4. 8S Craig Korff. 5. 16S Thomas Korff. 6. 15P Keith Davis.
Race Two: 1. 4S. 2. 69S. 3. 13R. 4. 15P. 5. 16S. 6. 8S.
Race Three: 1. 69S. 2. 8S. 3. 13R. 4. 16S. 5. 4S. 6. 15P.
