Ruapuna - 4+5 October 2008

Thanks to Daniel Patrick & Les Hitchcock

The weather looked very promising on Saturday, the only thing going against it was the strong NW winds which swept up a dust storm in the pits and blew everything around.  A total of 15 cars had entered, but unfortunately Greg Stewart was unable to make it in the end. We also had a few unable to attend due to work, money or mechanical issues - Wayne Tuffley, Maurie Bone, Bill Evans, Barry Morgan, Gareth Hall and Jim Little.

We had some new faces amongst us - Gary Parker from Christchurch with his immaculate Sunbeam Rapier, Darryl Jordan from Kaiapoi with his immaculately presented Anglia and Jim Kelly making his debut in Steve Ross’s Mustang. We also welcomed back Brian Scott, Ian Perry, Pete Fitzgibbon and Stu Mitchell who started racing with us late last season.

And last but not least we welcome back the regulars - Wayne Patrick, Bob Dension (looking a lot taller after his knee operation), Ray Hurst, Greg Lyons, Johno Michelle, Manny Sim & Roy Macdonald.

Qualifying - hot & sunny, with strong winds:

Wayne Patrick ended up in pole position, followed by Manny, then Jim Kelly - who isn’t used to driving a left hand drive car on the track.
Bob pedalled his car like a new man after his knee operation and Ray managed to get out for qualifying after replacing a diff.  Gary Parker’s mission for the weekend was to get used to both in the car and the track and didn’t worry about hiring a transponder.  Brian Scott had never raced at Ruapuna before, so he followed Roy around for a couple of laps until it was time for Roy to post a qualifying time. A good battle was forming between Greg Lyons, Johno Michelle and Bob, so the times were very close.

 
Race 1 - Sunday - wet & cool, no wind.

Wayne P had a dreadful start and was swamped very quickly, but managed to claw his way to the front in plenty of time to win the race. Manny’s rain dance may have paid off weather wise, but it didn’t help him mechanically and he retired from the race with fuel pump issues. This left the lead open to Roy who finished a comfortable 2nd and Jim K coming in 3rd not used to the car in the rain.  Due to the weather the field took it very easy, hence there were no real dramas, but also no real battles either.  Stu didn’t finish the race because of a run bearing and Pete retired early as well.

Race 2 - fine, but cool:

Being reverse top order, Wayne started on 6th position and with getting a much better start got to the front in a very short space of time. With the track drying out Jim K got to grips with the Mustang, and managed to post a very respectable time. Manny had continuing fuel pump problems, but managed to finish the race in third place, in front of Roy.  An exciting battle ensued between Bob, Greg L & Johno and you could just about put a blanket over the three of them. Pete retired with a run bearing.

Race 3 - reverse grid:

Manny’s fuel pump problems continued and spread to the electrical system which him unable to start.  Gary & Darryl started at the front and were by themselves for a couple of laps, until the rest of the field caught up with them. Another close battle ensued between Bob, Greg L & Johno, but Bob slowed towards the end of the race with smoke billowing from the exhaust. Wayne P and Jimmy made their way through the field with little effort and finished 1 - 2, with Roy coming in 3rd.

Great racing with no panel damage and hopefully the mechanical issues will be sorted in time for the next meeting at Levels on 18the October.