Progress update No 12 published 30-01-2009
Cheers for your patience !!
Finally a night at home with some time to do an update. Man 'o
Man - talk about Full On !! Not just with 95P but with a re-build
on Nathan Heyburns car and making sure it was as good as it could possibly
be for the NZ Stockcar Champs.
Unfortunately Clive has had a real run of health issues - lung infection,
minor heart attack, blood clot in his leg etc,etc - all on top of his Cancer
problems - Poor Bugger !! At last he seems to have turned the corner and
is looking a lot better - GREAT - he'll be back in the hot seat soon.
One big problem though - the beautiful baby Holden done a poo in its
nappies - Bugger - hopefully a little fart and not much substance ! . The
little 3/4 motor (3/4 of a V8) has been surprising and impressing people.
For a first attempt development engine it has been fast and reliable, showing
good speed at P/North, Christchurch and Nelson - even with a rusty driver
at the wheel.
The South Island trip was fun and it was great to go to the NZ Champs
with no expectations and we were "lucky" to come home 5th equal.
It could have been better but severely bent right front stub in the first
heat causing the push from hell, and then having a spin in the 3rd heat
after contact with 7N.
Nelson was quite difficult as they didn't allow a practice for
visiting cars. Qualified on Grid 9 - I think, but got spun on the
first corner and ended up 12th or 15th ... or something. The little
Holden was fast in the final and recovered a lot of spots.
We also did a live nationwide interview with Dave Birdling on
Radio Sport. Talked about Clive, the car, the funding effort (and
where it came from) and mens cancer awareness so that was fantastic for
our Sponsor , The Cancer Society. By the way guys - have you had the Check
Up yet - NOW'S GOOD. Don't leave it, as Clive did, and run the risk
of Cancer.
The NZ Stockcar Champs were a real thrill and brilliant entertainment.
What a great result for the Wellington Club - Richard Gaskin 1NZ and Dale
Robertson 2NZ. I have to take my hat off to Peter Rees - I'm sure
he has the fastest car there but got the severe treatment in the third
heat but still hung in there to end up in a run off for 3rd - which he
won. He made a great speech and wasn't bitter about being taken out
- he realises they are Stockcars and if you give it you're gonna get it.
Good on you Pete !! And to David Marshall, Darren Gray, Jason Kinsey
etc - great effort for your pals and Wellington.
Global Challenge:
A bit of a forgettable night really. Came home 11th in the first
group so had to qualify through the repercharge which we won easily.
First race - Grid 25 - up to 9th in first few laps - little Holden
going great. I think the Stockcar Driver from hell (Peewee) reverse
spun me at the end of the grandstand straight. Managed to hold it
together, do a u turn and came home just outside the top 10.
Second Heat - was having a dice with Shane Penn in the Silver Bullet
"that was different" - then BANG the pin fell out. Will pull the
engine out this week and believe it may have broken the timing chain as
it's had a small rattle from the front cover when really hot after a race,
for the last couple of meetings. SHOULD HAVE CHECKED IT. Will
get the magic man, Bryan Hartley to repair the engine for Clive in the
next week or so.
It will be a thrill for Clive to drive the car as it's now sorted out
and going great. The A Team, Crew & Fans can't wait to see the
old fella back behind the wheel. I'm happy too ..... I can now go
to Lake Taupo, relax and have a fish ..... YAHOO !!
Cheers & thanks for your interest
Tony Mac
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