NUEVA ZELANDA - NEWS FROM TARANAKI SLOT CAR RACING CLUB

NUEVA ZELANDA -  Henderson 60th Anniversary meeting 8th July 2023 - How our local NP racers and "The Misfits" fared.

Hi all. A short race report from "The Misfits" (Think Paul picked the name). Car was great from start. Team was Dave West (he built/tuned car) and Ray Smith from Auckland with the Le Breton Brothers completing the team. Paul proved how good car was when he qualified first. We therefore got the pick of the lanes. Paul started off as he was running hot for the first of 12 half hour sessions. We were soon out to 10+ laps in front but a few offs (probably me or Ray) left us only 3 in front. Paul on his next shift got us out to nearly 20 laps and Ray took over. Almost immediately however we started to have problems and lost over 5 minutes replacing a broken a braid. It had somehow been almost completely cut through. 1/24th braids are normally easily changed but this time they were soldered in so the car had to be taken apart. As racing was getting closer this relegated us to 4th and we never fully recovered as we finished 4th after 6 hours. Not for lack of trying. We all had a great time however and there were no further major breakdowns. The braids remained a problem throughout as they were two soft. They kept losing tension and spreading out. Pity about the first breakdown but that is racing. I do not know what Paul's qualifying time was but Paul and Dave both got down to 4.4's and me to 4.5's. Ray also drove really well and got down to 4.7's. All cars finished within 150 laps with us about 60 laps behind first place. With say 4.7sec laps even 5 minutes would amount to over 60 laps so a case of might have been.

Will add photo of cars in order they finished. As you can see they still fairly intact which is not always the case.

P.S. Still waiting to see full results so I should mention great win by local team with the Mainland team catching fast (only 12 laps difference). Sorry Stu was not sure where you finished but the way you buzzed past me I would say Omokoroa team was third.