Independent Race Classes April/May 2013 Newsletter Editorial

Independent Race Classes

April/May 2013

Newsletter Editorial

Winter is coming and the bears are looking around to find a cave to hibernate in, after filling up on salmon. It is the same for us who compete in a summer series; we are looking at the man cave and working out what we would like done on the race car. Then the reality checks! What can be afforded! There is the idea that if you leave it for a couple of months the coffers will recharge. But as you all know if it wasn’t for the last moment! Then nothing would ever get done! And I don’t care when you started your project.

Classic: Where did all the snobbery come from when dealing with this subject?  These people are “euphemistically” called the Chicken and Chardonnay Set.

Historic Can easily be understood. These are the many and varied world and national series’ cars that raced “back when”, Formula 1, Tasman Series cars, F5000, Formula Junior, Le Mans, Can am, these are by anyone’s terms historic cars. They came from a recognised championship series.

Is an early Formula Ford or a Formula Vee a historic or a classic car? If they are Historic at what age did they become “Historic”. The original early New Zealand specials e.g. the Crop Duster, Lycoming Special, The Stanton Corvette, Bread van Anglia’s, Custaxie, Fleetwood Mustang, the early Sports Specials, are these then considered Historic cars in New Zealand? There are many more still out there and, most pleasingly, lots still racing.

When does a car become “Historic”? At what point do they become Historic? Is there an age to the term Historic? Does the driver i.e. Peter Brock; by winning Bathurst does his winning car then be regarded as Historic, or is it a Classic.

Historic Replicas, these are exact copies of Historic cars that raced back then and deserve to be included in the Historic ranks as Historic Replicas. Then by definition all the rest built within the last 30 years’ are just modern twists on an old car.

Classic what does it mean?  A 1963 MG Midget built in 2005, with a 5 speed Toyota Celica gearbox, 4 pot Wilwood front callipers’, vented rotors and 2 pot Wilwood callipers’ on the rear, is not classic, it is just a modern version of an old car.

What the Historic Muscle Cars are trying to achieve with their period modifications, body, wheels and tyres etc. could be classed as a Classic Series. So what is a classic car?

HQ Holden’s could be classed as a classic. Let’s face it they have been at least 30 plus years as a series. They still have the doors that open, hood-lining, and dash. Can you imagine the chicken and chardonnay set with their String Back Gloves; standing around the barbie with a beer in one hand and a snag in the other, discussing the merits of allowing HQ’s or a Pro 7 Mazda to join their so called  “Classic” classes. I can’t.

The snobbery comes from those who think that their car is a classic because it was new in 1967; it still has all the seats, dash, hood lining, Twin SU’s and a COD. They consider close racing is not something you actively encourage and those classes that do are a little bit contemptible because they actually want to race close and competitively.

There is not a right or wrong here, what is the most important aspect is, these are people who have joined a motor sport club and as members are out there racing at a level they feel most happy with. There are two basic types in motor racing, one is for the drivers to enjoy, who don’t care if there is a crowd on the bleachers, then there is the other group who have a purpose for their racing whether, it be commercial, or ego, or a genuine desire to take their skills to the highest level and will fund this ambition.

The really good part is that in New Zealand, both can enjoy the level they want, one needs to support the other, there are not enough classes to have a series based on the second group, and they need to fill the gaps in their program with the first lot. Forget the snobbery and come together for the benefit of Motor Sport in NZ.

The problem is the term “Classic”. It has been hijacked by a few, to define their cars, but not others, like Pre65, HQ, SS2000 or heaven forbid a Mazda Rotary, they have turned it into a “them and us” mentality that their version of owning and racing is the correct and only one.

What I am suggesting is neither is right, just different, there is room for all. The creation of the Certificate of Description also added to the snob value of a car, the exact same car in Pre65 mode is something to be frowned upon as being unworthy and way too competitive.

This nonsense was even officially backed by MotorSport NZ. A MK1 Cortina with a COD, with the exact modifications as a Pre65 car was permitted to use leaded race fuel, but not the Pre65 car. They had to prove that unleaded fuel damaged engines. It cost the Pre65 members thousands of dollars to prove what everyone knew would be the result.  MSNZ executive even ignored the advice of their own technical specialist’s.

I posed the above questions to a friend, his somewhat “tongue in cheek” comment was “if they race at Hampton Downs they are both a Historic and a Classic”.

I feel the whole thing needs some form of clarification, I haven’t mentioned TACCOC. (Thoroughbred and Classic Car Owners Club Inc.) What the heck is a Thoroughbred? I thought it described a horse.

In saying that, I applaud those who rescue old cars and return them to better than original condition, be it an exact copy of the original or a chopped and channelled rod, it is a growing trend and fantastic that these old cars are going to be around for another 50 years or more, to show generations still to come just what a REAL car looked like.

Everyone should get to the Beach Hop just once and be gobsmacked.

We as a group should pour scorn on the plonkers who are advocating the removal of all cars 10 to 13 years old off NZ roads. To be honest these are the people we ask to administer our roads, what a joke, next time you drive down the road count the cars vans etc that are 10 years old then remove them from the road.

Cheers Alex Davie

Manfeild turns it on for Round 5 NZ Porsch Race Series

Manfeild ‘turned it on’ for competitors and spectators by mimicking the February weather pattern experienced around the rest of the country, yes, a warm 24 degrees both days with light easterly wind. However, it was a little disappointing that the Porsches did not ‘turn it on’ in the same numbers as Round 4 .In fact; there were just half the entrants present compared with two weeks earlier at Hampton Downs. Just 10 Porsches (7 Championships, 3 Euro) plus the 1 cross entry, Peter Edmonds Volvo S40 making up the grid.

I was delighted to be invited to join the commentary team, a first for the Manfeild circuit. This allows the Porsches to be presented well to the public in terms of the technical differences between models, their modifications and of course a little on the drivers, always good to lift the profile of the Club and the Marque.

Southern Region

Manfeild typically attracts a contingent from our Southern Region. Anthony Lyons, a Manfeild stalwart did not make it out this time, Tony Patmore’s broken shoulder is still waiting the ‘all clear’, perhaps Tony should forego the motor bikes and stick to Porsches!! Recover well Tony. Robert Dong has not resolved the engine ‘miss’ which manifested in Round 4, so was ‘missing’ this Round. Taranaki’s Glen Smith was invited to join us in the 650 BHP RSR, unfortunately his 1,000 BHP Porsche powered Daytona had ‘blown’ the Thursday prior. Heeding sage advice, Glen thought it prudent to concentrate the RSR on the Sports & GT series as he understood it had but a few races before also requiring a engine rebuild.

Pre65

We the season is finished, last meeting last year’s champ Mike “the brake” Johnston had a 3 points lead on Dave “Robo” Robinson, after race one they were equal on points, race 2 and Mike broke his gear shifter, with it stuck in 2nd gear ending up circulating in an attempt to minimise the loss of points, in the 3rd and final race, we had a very serious accident with Nigel Belsham’s Viva  getting turned into the path of Andrew Alexander Valiant, the only good thing was the safety gear did its job, but the damage was severe and Nigel will have a huge bruise on his hip. As a result the safety car came out which led to a one lap dash to the end, Mike finished 5 places in front of Robo, had Mike finish the second race in his usual position the result may have been different. Dave Robinson finishing 1st overall, wit.

What it has highlighted, is we for many years have had a recommendation to have double intrusion bars next to the driver, I think it is now time to make this compulsory, especially with the lightened door on our cars.

Back to the points.

Overall Championship: Dave “Robo” Robinson. 1st with 348 points.  Mike Johnston, 2nd on 355, Justin Haworth 3rd on 320.

Class Championships.

Class A: V8, Robo was 1st with 492, Justin H 2nd with 484 and Mike J 3rd with 460.

Class B: 6 cylinder: Tim Patterson 1st with 572, Shane Hobman 2nd with 518, then Graeme Lett in 3rd a long way back with 284, must mention Chris Gunn in 4th Chris has been completive, back in 4th with 256.

Class C: Open 4 cylinder: Grant Taylor 1st with 510, Mark Bowskill 2nd with 454, and Steve Hallett 3rd with 418.

Class D: under 1400cc: “Captain” Owen Jenkins in the mighty Morris Minor with 282, Gary Rush 2nd with 258, and Dave Bone 3rd with 244.

Formula First

The Weldwell New Zealand Formula First championship is seen by many as the pinnacle of junior motorsport development classes, seeing drivers such as Mitch Evans, Nick Cassidy and Shane van Gisbergen go through the class.  The 2012/13 season will be another to go down as a historic season, with the likes of Rowan Shepherd, Ryan Hellier, Oliver Gordon and Taylor Cockerton shining throughout the season. Not to mention, one of the closer rookie battles in recent years, amongst Aaron Marr and thirteen year old Jacob Smith. The final round of the championship would be held at the Taupo Motorsport Park, culminating with the IRC series.

After a mixed bag of a qualifying session, which saw the championship leader Rowan Shepherd take the number one spot, with the driver looking for the slightest error from Shepherd, second placed Ryan Hellier sitting beside him on the grid. Third would go to Oliver Gordon, with Dave Ruthven and Taylor Cockerton filling out the top five.

The first race of the round would be one for the ages for Wanganui’s Aaron Marr, as a determined run from seventh during the eight lap race would see him take the victory.  This would be Sabre Motorsport’s first in three years. Michael Shepherd Racing’s Rowan Shepherd would take second overall, all but claiming the title; with Ryan Hellier’s fourth place overall finish – but still only seven hundredths behind.  The Safety Step/Scorpion Racecars machine of Taylor Cockerton would take third.

Fifth spot would go to Waiuku’s Cory Holmes, keeping his hopes alive for a top five championship finish.  Oliver Gordon, Jacob Smith and Dave Ruthven would be close behind, finish ahead of Dave Scammell and Ian Foster who capped off the top ten.

The second race of the weekend was full of drama from the outset, as just when the Weldwell Formula First class headed on track, there was some precipitation rolling in.  In a last minute gamble, the Ardex/All Subaru Partsworld machine of Cory Holmes rolled out on track the only car on wets. Within the first few corners, the confidence level of Holmes in the wet compared to the others around was evident, as the number eight machine would cut his way up to second overall by lap two.

But as the rain halted, the track dried out enough for the non-wet tyred machines to grip up and regain their confidence in the circuit, leaving Holmes with a huge target on his back for the remainder of the race.  One of those drivers on the rampage was Taylor Cockerton, who had slipped to seventh by the first lap, only to charge his way back to the front pack by the end of the race.  With one to go, Cockerton made his move on the group, drafting past then leader Ryan Hellier during the back straight to take the victory.  Hellier would sit in second across the line, with Shepherd in third.  Cory Holmes would hold on for fourth place overall, with Oliver Gordon taking the fifth spot.  Rookie of the year contender and winner of race one, Aaron Marr would slip near the rear of the field early on, but another great drive would see him fire back up the standings before the chequered flag.  Marr would finish just behind the 46 machine Dave Ruthven.

The final race of the championship would be a mere formality championship wise, as a near insurmountable advantage set by Rowan Shepherd in the Inov8 machine would mean merely finishing would be good enough.  But during the early laps, it was evident that just finishing wasn’t enough, as Shepherd would fight it out with Ryan Hellier during the majority of the eight lap race.  The trio of Gordon, Cockerton and Marr wouldn’t be too far behind through the race, creating a five car train, keeping to true Weldwell NZ Formula First style.

In the end though, with the title all but wrapped up, Shepherd held back on the frenetic final lap, leaving the duel to Cockerton and Hellier for the last victory of the season.  A resilient Hellier would cross the line one tenth in front of Cockerton for another victory added to his tally, with Aaron Marr making the podium with the third place spot.

But all the plaudits would be saved for the new Weldwell New Zealand Formula First champion, the driver of the MSR/Inov8 machine, Rowan Shepherd.

After a season the began with a seemingly unthinkable mechanical issue causing a heavy early deficit points wise, Shepherd showed the determination and consistency throughout the season to claw back point by crucial point. This determination held true even with when the team reclaimed the series lead late on, withstanding the immense pressure from Ryan Hellier and co during the remainder of the season.

Congratulations from everyone within the Formula First championship.

The 2013 rookie of the year title will be heading to Wanganui this season, as Speedsport Scholarship winner Aaron Marr would claim the advantage over thirteen year old, Jacob Smith.

Despite a late onslaught from Formula First President, Ian Foster, it will be Papamoa’s Ron Carter who will take home the sunset title.  The Sunset award, for drivers over the age of 40, was fiercely competed throughout the season, with epic duels between Bob Dillow and Carter epitomising what the award was about.  In the end, Dillow and Carter were separated by a mere 45 points, pointing to all-out war for the title next season.

HAVE A GO DAY

Mitchell Evans, Nick Cassidy – Shane van Gisbergen. These three drivers are now prominent within world-wide motorsport championships and they all have one thing in common. Formula First.

Mini Racing Drivers Club

Super Mini Challeng

Round 7 has now been and gone and the season is over. As usual Taupo Car Club put on a great event and everything ran smoothly for Super Mini Challenge and the Star Cars. Thanks again to Ian and the team.Having the Star Cars join the grid is working well with and their numbers have grown as the season has progressed. With the combined classes and SMC’s more open, Open Class our numbers at 25 for the last round were the highest they have been for the last two seasons. With a couple of new cars nearing completion and the more encompassing inclusion of the Star Cars we are looking forward to good numbers for next season.Within the classes we as usual had some very close racing without any panel damage, although there was a few mechanical DNF’s end of the season stresses I guess.  

Our last event for the season is our fun day on Saturday May 11th   at Taupo. This event is to encourage Mini owners to have ago on the track, and introduce them to Mini Racing. All the regional Mini Car clubs are invited. It is also an opportunity for the racing drivers to bolt in a second seat and take sponsors, friends, family and prospective drivers for a ride or in some cases give them a drive. The day ends with our prize giving and AGM on the Sunday.

Taupo Car Club

Hello all fellow IRC Competitors, Volunteers, Family and Friend

Another race season has come and gone and while some of you hunker down for Winter Taupo Car Club will be moving into our Winter Race Series of grassroots Dual Sprints and Clubman’s which starts in June and runs monthly through to September, then back into the Summer Series

Before that however we have a Super Truck Meeting in May and a 3 hour Endurance Race Meeting in June .

So no rest for the wicked as the saying goes!

We have had a very successful summer with the competitor numbers on average the same as the previous 2 years and the gate take less for Labour Weekend but more for Easter, something that we can never work out.

We often get asked ‘what happens to all the money you guys make?’ well when you return for the 2013-2014 season you will see a significant change on each Flag Point.  We have purchased the Nautech Flag Point Lights System and lights will replace waving flags, though there will be marshals in place for any ‘manual input required’.  While this is a huge expense for our car club (over $70k) we feel that it is necessary as we are in the same boat as other volunteer organization’s where seeking the help of people to commit to a weekend is often a big ask.  Without these people we could not hold these meetings and getting them is becoming more difficult.

We will be testing these over our Winter Series and all going well this will be the norm for all future Taupo Car Club events at Taupo Motorsport Park.

So enjoy your winter, and thank you again for your support, See you Labour Weekend.

Melanie Coleman

Race Coordinator

The Seasons Ends for the NZ Porsche Club Race Series Round 6 Taupo 29 th
March

It was the Easter break and there was much to distract even the most avid Porsche driver, however 13 competitors did sign up for the final Round, 11 Porsche’s, 1 BMW,1 Volvo. This was reduced to 12 when, Macro Holtrigter’s 944S2 clutch terminally failed at practice on Friday.

There were of course those who welcomed the weekend as their last hurrah for the season and seized the opportunity to ‘double dip’ by also competing in the GTRNZ race classes. Upholding the Porsche banner were Ian Hayr, Struan Robertson Tim James, Brent Greer, Kevin Etches, Simon Gilbertson and Phil Jones . Congratulations go to Ian for taking out the GT2 Championship.

Qualifying Saturday morning 15 minute

Perhaps the season’s most significant improvement came from Brent Greer who reintroduced the front suspension that was formerly part of his 993RS purchase package. Plus there was the added advantage of new Hancook slicks, he was flying.

Phil Jones not to be out done, also got in on the act by recording his fastest lap ever at Taupo.

In order, fastest qualifying laps were:

NB Times in bold indicate fastest achieved throughout the meeting

Ian Hayr GT31.36.11

Brent Greer 993RS 1.36. 92

Struan Robertson 997 GT3 Cup 1.38.675

Brian McGovern 9444Turbo GTR 1.38.903

Tim James 996GT2 1.39.53

Kevin Etches 944S2 1.43.324

George Randle 3.2 Boxster S 1.44.61

Simon Gilbertson 944S2 1.44.905

Phil Jones 944S2 1.44.98

Frank Denton 3.8C2RS 1.45.214

Gary Cammock BMW325/ M31.46.87

Peter Edmond Volvo S40 1.48.802

Race 1 grid start 6 laps finish order:

Hayr, Greer, James, McGovern, Etches, Randle (1.44.023), Denton (1.44.984), Edmond, Cammock, Jones, and Gilbertson.

Robertson was out after 2 laps with a flat rear tyre, this was the start of weekend best forgotten. Plagued by on going tyre problems, Struan’s 997GT3 Cup Car failed to complete any of the NZ Porsche races.

Simon’s problems also began in Race 1 with gear box failure. Fortuitously he had accumulated enough points to win the NZ Porsche Class Championship and was side lined for the remainder of the meeting. Attrition was becoming a little like those infamous green bottles that accidently fall!

Sunday AM Race 2 Handicap by Class 6laps

I have observed that drivers coming off the front of a handicap race are the most likely to set their fastest lap time. This tendency is hard to substantiate let alone factor into the handicapping system. However Gary did add cred to the hypothesis by posting his F.T. of the meeting.

Overall Race 2 provided close competition with just 6.6 seconds covering the first six cars at the chequered flag.

The race was won by Gary Cammock –(pole) (1.45.829) by 0.103 seconds over Brent Greer(40seconds delay), then Kevin Etches(15 seconds delay)(1.43.117),Peter Edmond –(pole) (1.45.624), Brian McGovern (40 seconds delay)(1.38.489) Ian Hayr (50 seconds delay) ,George Randle (15 seconds delay), Tim James (50 seconds delay) (1.38.751) ,Phil Jones(10 seconds delay) and Frank Denton( 40seconds delay)

Race 3 full reverse grid handicap – 10 laps

A DNF from Struan in Race 1 put Ian in an unassailable position to take out the MSNZ Championship, making it his fourth consecutive successful season. With this in mind Ian replaced his control tyres with slicks, the logic being t o set a really fast pace and also to eliminate the change over when competing in the GT2 Championship race that followed. This strategy earned him a massive 70 seconds delayed start behind pole but he still came through to win from
Randle (13 seconds delay), Cammock (pole), Denton(5 seconds delay)

Etches (20 seconds delay) ,McGovern(60 seconds delay), James (60 second

delay), Edmond(pole), Jones(5 seconds delay) and ,Greer( 60 seconds delay

(1.41.73) Struan Robertson DFN (60 seconds delay

Brent who had competed relentlessly throughout the weekend both in th

Porsche Club and GT2 races found that his new ‘soft’ Hancook slicks could not last the distance and had gone off in a big way. The car slid on every corner, just keeping it on track was proving difficult.

As earlier mentioned, Struan’s less than memorable weekend continued, the slicks fitted for this last race performed no better than the control tyres.

Just lap into the race, the front RH tyre blew out, and the 997 GT3 Cup car was unceremoniously transported in at the end of the race.

Open Forum

As it was the Seasons end, the opportunity was seized to garner input from all present who had in some way been involved in the series. An Open Forum held on Saturdays lunch break proved ideal.

Jon ran through the 201321014 calendar set at the IRC meeting he attended with Phil the previous evening.

Perhaps more interesting, was the ensuing general discussion centred on attracting more Porsche into the race series. Ideas mooted included direct mentoring of Club drivers, and a challenge to the Open BMW class with up to 10 BMW cars competing head to head with the Porsches, watch this space .

Tim James was keen to follow through with the BMW Challenge concept and joined the Race Committee, Brent Greer was also welcomed on board. It was with regret that we accepted Chris Barendregt and Tony Patmore resignations from the Committee, both cited pressing business commitments. Our thanks to them for the considerable time, energy and support they have given the Club throughout their tenure

The Pointy End

Sunday lunch ( thank you again Tracey and team), was set for the presentations

Belated “Driver of the Weekend” went to

George Randle Round 4 Hampton Down

Dave Allison Round 5 Manfeil

This was accepted on behalf by Phil Jones as Dave was at Laguna Seca. It is not without a hint of envy that I guess his absence must be forgiven

Congratulations went to Ian Hayr for winning the MSNZ Porsch

Championship, well deserved, a fine display of driving throughout the season

Simon Gilbertson presided over the Porsche NZ Class Race Championship, excellent result Simon

Brian McGovern has been nominated driver of the weekend for Taupo Roun

6. Consistency in performance and some very good lap times too Brian

The latter three drivers will receive their awards at the AGM to be held May 4t

See you there guys, well done all, a good seasons racing.

ENDS

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