Ganley Festival - Hampton Downs January 2015

[GD66]

Fair's fair, how realistic is it to expect 50 F5000s on the track and racing when that's never been remotely approached anywhere in the world ? To suggest that is a sneakily-worded con is disrespectful to the promoters of this and other categories, who appear to have worked hard to get still-impressive entry lists to the line.
Nobody could genuinely anticipate a grid of that size forming up, and it's a bit rich if that's all you have to complain about after a weekend that is envied around the world. Cheer up, son.

[CUSTAXIE50]

Thanks John
Yes I agree with you that we are spoilt here in NZ with the numbers of classic cars that are around and come out to play from time to time. I'm not surprised to hear that they don't worry about spectators numbers in the US. They probably have more competitors attending and with track operating costs being comparable [?] with NZ it's affordable for them whereas we need spectators to subsidise the cost. I have no idea what it costs you in total for a day at the races, but I'm sure it's a tidy sum. I'm equally sure that if more spectators attended which had the flow on effect of reducing competitors costs then maybe more classics would come out to play - and more spectators would come along to watch. Sounds so easy doesn't it. lol.
Looking forward to Saturday.

Very good work Nigel with the photos you have put up here,Boy there are some very nice looking cars still out there today.

[ERC]

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I wasn't complaining about the numbers Tony, merely responding to Nigel's post!

As JAFA assisted Barry Algie last year, with finance and time (and he wasn't the only one), I know his passion for a great Festival is genuine, but if a regular contributor/photographer on here posts a level of disappointment then he more than likely has a genuine point. Nothing is gained from just heaping praise on the hard working ones if there are also valid criticisms. Only a fool listens to praise and ignores valid criticism.

The organisers put a tremendous amount of work and effort into this Festival and are to be congratulated on what has become an iconic NZ event that continues to grow. Lessons are always learned. One valid criticism from one genuine person has to be balanced against the obvious enjoyment overall from that same person.

[rogered]

Some of you plonkers need to have a bit of a rethink. It wasn't to many years ago I was grateful to see 1 F5000 car have a run.Now you bemoaning the fact that there is "only" 25 on the grid. Good Grief

[nigel watts]

Some of you plonkers need to have a bit of a rethink. It wasn't to many years ago I was grateful to see 1 F5000 car have a run.Now you bemoaning the fact that there is "only" 25 on the grid. Good Grief

So, what you're saying is that we have no right to express an opinion. We should be grateful for whatever we get. If I'm paying to attend an event and it's not quite what I expected I think I should feel free to say so. I didn't say it was bad or a waste of time and money, only that I was a bit disappointed having thought, perhaps mistakenly, that I would be seeing 50+ F5000's on the track. Just because I'm a mere spectator doesn't mean that I can't express an opinion. If I bought a ticket to see the Stones and Mick Jagger wasn't there I would be disappointed even if it was a great concert. My point being that it could have been even better than it was.
So this "plonker" doesn't really care what you think rogered. You have your opinion and I have mine. End of story.

[Spgeti]

I agree rogered. great event, fantastic grids, and I don't care about the historic knocking. When Noah was launching his Arc, their were never that many F5000's, big bangers etc on the grid and by 3 laps half the field had broken.
This is the number one historic race meeting in the country,....bar none.
The Muscle Cars, Historic Sports Sedan, F5000, F Juniors etc , FANTASTIC.......we can all be critics, but credit should be given....nothing is perfect and we should stand back and applaude,...... loudly.

[ERC]

If the advertising said "Over 25 F5000's" and 30 turned up, there wouldn't be any adverse comment would there and everyone would be happy!

Whether you are advertising a 10cm high burger and delivering a 5cm high burger, or a mountain of chips and serving a small handful, you have to be extremely careful. Event advertising is no different.

However, I am really looking forward to this weekend!

[rogered]

So, what you're saying is that we have no right to express an opinion. We should be grateful for whatever we get. If I'm paying to attend an event and it's not quite what I expected I think I should feel free to say so. I didn't say it was bad or a waste of time and money, only that I was a bit disappointed having thought, perhaps mistakenly, that I would be seeing 50+ F5000's on the track. Just because I'm a mere spectator doesn't mean that I can't express an opinion. If I bought a ticket to see the Stones and Mick Jagger wasn't there I would be disappointed even if it was a great concert. My point being that it could have been even better than it was.
So this "plonker" doesn't really care what you think rogered. You have your opinion and I have mine. End of story.

Ok, lets start again. read on from the second sentence, The one starting "It".

[rogered]

I agree rogered. great event, fantastic grids, and I don't care about the historic knocking. When Noah was launching his Arc, their were never that many F5000's, big bangers etc on the grid and by 3 laps half the field had broken.
This is the number one historic race meeting in the country,....bar none.
The Muscle Cars, Historic Sports Sedan, F5000, F Juniors etc , FANTASTIC.......we can all be critics, but credit should be given....nothing is perfect and we should stand back and applaude,...... loudly.

You've got it Spgeti

[seaqnmac27]

Always give a little more than you promise - The Studebaker Brothers

[Jizim]

Yes it was Master Kelsey, and he built it also.

Dan Slater was contracted to build the complex and beautiful chassis and the Kelseys did the rest. Goes well. Check Dan's work out if you get the opportunity.....(just like the late Peter Bruin's work)

[Jizim]

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I offered to Peter and Aaron if they removed the engine out of the BRM...I would rectify their cam shaft timing problem....free of any charge as well....have had experience on multiple valve engines and some of the older ones too!. Unfortunately can't be done in place. They need to be very careful with the valve to piston clearance on this....( seems the cam has jumped a tooth or more likely was assembled that way....too far advanced on exhaust cam!) Be good to see this one on track.. Regards, Tony Rutherford

[Jizim]

Nigel- these are truly superb pics. Where else in the world would you see these cars and all together like this.
I hate it when the SC comes out and the handicap goes out the window and no spectacle for the crowd.
At my guys drivers briefing I will make special point of clearing the track to try to avoid a SC- sorry if it give you less track time Tony.
Dale was telling me that in USA they dont worry about the spectator numbers, Historic racing is for the drivers and crews pleasure. Of course it does cost more.............

I totally agree John....I hate being called out in a handicap race....it just wrecks it......plus "one car" had a hic cup with a transponder and against my better judgement I had to wave the race leader through and pick up second place getter. Will be talking to the driver concerned this weekend. He was awarded the win i believe. Cheers, Tony Rutherford

[John McKechnie]

Tony- mate thats a tough call when you have your own views. Main thing though, he was awarded the win.
Will catch up with you out there today

[Shoreboy57]

I agree rogered. great event, fantastic grids, and I don't care about the historic knocking. When Noah was launching his Arc, their were never that many F5000's, big bangers etc on the grid and by 3 laps half the field had broken.
This is the number one historic race meeting in the country,....bar none.
The Muscle Cars, Historic Sports Sedan, F5000, F Juniors etc , FANTASTIC.......we can all be critics, but credit should be given....nothing is perfect and we should stand back and applaude,...... loudly.

That's why I'll be back this weekend. A shout out to all those series organisers, be it HMC, Sports Sedans, ERC, F5000. Historic Touring etc etc who are doing their darndest to get a field of cars out there. Sure some fields are bigger or more historically accurate than others but contrast this with the field size and lack of variety of most modern race meetings and we are very very lucky to have NZFMR. My glass is more than half full

[ERC]

Well, the crowd was much thinner this Friday than last week, so hopefully Saturday and Sunday will be better.

Craig Howser's Escort - #75 had a massive engine blow up going into turn 2 during our busy scratch race, so we finished under the safety car after 7 laps. Shame, as the leaders had just started lapping the slower stuff and to the best of my knowledge, despite the full grid, no panel damage - though Rogan did manage to spin the Cobra in the middle of the pack on lap 1 at the final hairpin.

#44, the XJS Jag's new gearbox or clutch has packed a sad so is out for the weekend.

#281 had a few issues at scrutineering so hopefully will be back tomorrow.

Big thanks to Andy Culpin and Byron at RaceFX. I was doing a wheel check before leaving the garage and one wheel stud was turning... They managed to remove the wheel and we opted to Mig weld all 4 studs (one had been done in the past anyway). Phew!

The ambulance/paramedics were over an hour late - so I still made practice.

[nigel watts]

[nigel watts]

[GD66]

Wow, more goodies : love that Halliday tribute Escort. Excuse the ignorance Nigel, but I've never been to Hampton : it does look as though cameramen are able to get good shots from pretty close to the track. That would make it something of an exception in terms of newer circuits !

[nigel watts]