This was a very relaxed meeting, but was a tense start when four lots of people were late to turn up due to varying excuses. A very commendable appearance was one from Wayne Patrick, who flew down from Wellington where he was at a wedding the night before. The reason I say commendable is that three weeks prior (at the last Levels meeting) he had organised with Karen Paddon (the South Canterbury Car Club secretary) to do late documentation and he had couriered his licence and other relevant documents to her so that all he had to do was get picked up at the airport, collect his race car and turn up to the track - how's that for dedication? Thanks Wayne.
Another one to arrive late was Barry Morgan with his immaculately presented, ex Albie Collier XP Falcon. We didn't mind this though - at least he finally made it. Good to see Maurie, Johno, Bill, Bob, Ray and Greg making up the numbers for the wee cars too.
Two people unable to make the meeting were Wayne Tuffley and Greg Stewart due to work and family commitments, but we are looking forward to seeing them at Teretonga.

The weather gods were shining on us again and it was a beautiful day and to say the racing was tight is an understatement!

Official Practice:
Qualifying saw Wayne Patrick on pole, but only just as Steve was .04 of a second slower. The next closest were Manny and Jim, followed by Cliff, Roy, Maurie, Johno, Gareth, Bill, Bob, Ray and Barry. Greg had some mechanical problems and unfortunately never made it out for qualifying. It was Barry's first time in the race car, first time on a track and first time racing, so he managed to straighten out some corners, but also found it fun. Bob's engine decided to share it's oil with everyone and the track, so he pulled off and called it a day.

Race 1:
Battles within battles as gradually most paired off to do battle - the first group was Steve and Wayne P, then Jim and Manny and Roy and Cliff. Not to be left out the wee cars were also doing battle with Maurie taking on Gareth and Bill and Greg L having a good tussle. Johno found his own niche in between the last two groups. The winner of this race was Steve followed (again by .04 of a second) by Wayne Patrick, Jim, Manny, Cliff, Roy, Maurie, Gareth, Johno, Greg, Bill and Barry. Ray Hurst had oil problems and unfortunately didn't finish.

Race 2:
This race was very close and far too close between Manny & Cliff with Cliff coming off the worst and ending up in the tyre wall - not what anyone really wanted and thankfully only his car was damaged. Manny took the win followed closely by Steve and Wayne Patrick, who got the best time of the race at 1:12.58. Next was Jim, Roy, Maurie, Gareth, Johno, Greg, Bill and Barry - who was having clutch issues.

Race 3 - handicap:
Bill and Greg were off the front, but Greg had engine issues and didn't manage to start, so we were down to 10 cars. Steve posted the fastest time for the weekend of 1:12.13 and got a 4th place, one spot behind Maurie. The winner was Roy followed by Gareth. Manny was 5th followed by Wayne P, Johno, Bill, Jim & Barry who chose to start off the back due to being new.

Apart from a few engine issues and Cliff's accident it wasn't a bad meeting and hopefully everyone will be going for Teretonga in three weeks time.