Auckland Superstock Champs / Ollie Browne Memorial

Having missed the recent big Superstock meetings and the cancellation of the Auckland / Rotorua teams meetings, I was definitely hanging out for for a live Superstock fix. With a few encouraging posts on Macgors, I was excited to stand in the pits yesterday and watch the numbers build to a healthy 20 competitors. There were a few no shows but still a satisfying turnout. As stated on Macgors, a hearty thanks to Paul Vazey and Dave Tennant for putting in the spade-work and ensuring as many competitors as possible made the dummy grid.

I won't go into a detailed meeting report but the racing was just what the doctor ordered, with plenty of bumper work and a number of cars being introduced to the wall. Also it is one of the first times in a while that I have seen more cars with an A on them than R or H at an Auckland meeting. I was pretty gutted to see Vazey get toppled in heat 2 as I really wanted to see him take the title following all the bad luck he's had in past couple of seasons. He really has the 351 beast on song at present and due for a title win somewhere.

The other pleasing thing was to see some of the young fellas giving it a decent crack with the likes of Tennant, Wootan and Ross starting to show their skills. Nowadays it is such a huge commitment to campaign a Superstock and it is so pleasing to see so many still moving into the Superstock ranks.

Although the final race for the Ollie Browne Memorial may have been a little tamer than the previous heats for the champs, I am sure that Ollie would still have been so happy to see a good quality field of cars doing the business on the Waikaraka clay. On ya Ollie. Now please have a word with the boss and get the Teams Nationals back on the calendar for 2011.

Brilliant














Thanks Dave - good luck Scott

















Its go go go for heat 1

Bloody lucky kid is all I can say - awesome

A change of scenery

Finally got a chance to attend a meeting at the Springs in over 2 years and I was pretty happy with what I got for my $20.00. I used to be a regular when I resided in Point Chev a few years ago and it was great to see all the new additions and improvements made to the place. It is a great place to attend on a balmy Saturday afternoon / night and I noticed quite a few regulars from across town getting their speedway fix for the weekend. Like me they obviously couldn't fit in a trip to Wangas for the Stockcar champs. With the addition of the previous weeks feature races, the programme wasn't bad at all.

Added to that is the wide selection of food / drink available, plenty of great vantage points around the hills and terraces and an open pit. Jeez I better start charging for advertising !!!!!! Don't want to get too gushy about open-wheelers, I am a Superstock fan after all, but there are some awesome drivers in the open-wheel ranks and the racing was fast, close and action packed. Speedway fix complete for the week.

Mmmmmm that feels better

Finally got to watch some live speedway at my local, after what seems like weeks. Good thing the weather didn't upset things as all in all it was a pretty decent show. Well done to the Promotion and to the Drivers and Crews that provided the entertainment.

Highlights

• Speed of MacIntyre 2nz Super Saloon in heat 1 - "O" for awesome.
• Again Towgood was 'too good' in Saloons (couldn't help myself).
• Foxy 1nz was carving the Mods.
• Seeing the Vazey 351 Superstock in full cry again.
• Some talented Solo riders strutting their stuff.

Low points

• I'm sorry but one of the commentators is just not up to pace, maybe time to hang up the mic.
• Not seeing 2nz Super Saloon in final.
• Pity the Naki boys couldn't come to play in the Mod sandpit.
  

Following are a couple of low quality clips of some of the standout performers.

Where have you been ?

Just a small update to advise that due to weather, family and work committments, I haven't been able to attend all the meetings I intended to over the last month or so. I did travel to Rotorua for the finals of the World 240's but the weather played it's trump card and sent everyone packing. Unfortunately I was unable to make it to the re-scheduled final the following day but made the smart move and booked the show on Speedbox. I recommend this service to anyone who is unable to attend any of the meetings that are covered by Speedbox. Sure it is not quite like being there but it is the next best thing for those missing out and at an unbelievable low price. If I cannot make it to the NZ Superstock Champs at Kihikihi or Teams at Palmerston North, I will certainly booking the meetings on Speedbox.








I hope to be able to add some more interesting material in the next few weeks so stay tuned.

The Mods and the Streetstockers

Plans to make the trek to palmy for the Manawatu Superstock Champs went out the window so I turned my attention back to Waikaraka for the Modified Dirt Cup and Streetstock 290s. A sprinkling of Solos, Sidecars, Superstocks and good numbers of Modifieds, Streetstocks, Saloons and Ministocks making for some top racing. It was great to see the Streetstocks in large numbers and along with the rivalry from a number of visiting drivers, showing the attraction that this class has previously been at the park. Well done to De Malmanche 2nz, Gooch 3 nz and Churchwood 7b. In the Mods, the Naki boys were here to pinch Foxy's cup but he wasn't having a bar of it, but they certainly tried hard with Jacko and Bunter filling the other podium positions. I was also impressed again by they talent shown in the Minstocks, some impressive skills shown within a field of 30 odd cars. I didn't stay for the Derby as they just don't excite me but on the whole I was pretty satisfied as I left the park.






The Naki boys



The Marx Brothers all ready to rumble


Women drivers ????


A wise man once said


Got to put the spare wing somewhere - must be great thru the Awakino gordge.


Well presented Sidecar unit

An opening at Paradise

I was able to catch the season opener at SG Equipment Paradise Valley Raceway, on a weekend trip to the Bay of Plenty and clicked a few randon shots.

Look for this car in a compromising position further down...




I don't care what anyone says - Mods look sexy without their wings !!




Looks like Dolly found herself a boyfriend over the off season and look what resulted




Sorry, the pic doesn't do the new colour scheme justice



There are some great graphics on cars nowadays




1st corner, race 1 for 09 - 10 season


Keep an eye on these two over the season !!!


At least the only local car is in front

More tail talk

Three more additions from opening night at Rotorua. The first one is pretty familiar to most Superstock fans but I still get a chuckle everytime I see it. The following two adorn a couple of local MiniStocks. Seems like the girls certainly don't like taking second place to the boys.