The Roaring Season

Steve Emson wrote:Raced on Puke with and without chicanes. I think I liked the chicanes better because in my opinion it added a little more skill and daring, but mostly more passing opportunities under brakes. You had to get through the back straight chicane without slowing excessively to be fast.
Many will disagree, I have no idea what it is like now. Cannot remember the last time i was even there. I guess I am luke warm about the place, but I had great success at the track, so i guess I should have fonder memories.
I loved Levin and Manfield however. Before I ever raced there Dad kept telling me stories of a magician who was very quick around Levin. He told me if I could get around there in this certain time i would be doing alright. The magicians name was Kerry Grant.
I vividly remember the first ever race meeting at Manfield. Some people were miles quicker than anyone else. Neville Bailey came and told me the apparent secret to getting around the big sweeper onto the front straight. It is actually the same secret to the carrousel at Lakeside here in OZ. It didn't take long for most people to cotton on.
The long distance races at Puke, that can get my juices going. Being able to work away for your stint was very enjoyable, especially if the pit board was telling you if you were leading the class or needed to catch other cars. Watching the split come down while catching was a study in concentration, especially in the dark. I think I have just changed my mind. I do like the place.

ERC wrote:I think that the car that hit the wall at HD wasn't through aquaplaning. The driver arrived late. Missed driver's briefing. Didn't check the tyre pressures. Having spoken to the driver afterwards, believed that one tyre was way low and came a cropper on lap one. However, the following car's in car video showed it doing a hard right alongside the pit entrance and there was a suspicion that maybe a wrong gear grabbed but I haven't heard the final result as I had to leave just as they were going through the video again. It certainly wasn't a circuit problem, though it did take 45 mins to effect repairs to the barrier and remove the car.

Kiwiboss wrote:Well, sounds like they wrote a few more of at Puke on the weekend(saturday) !! whether its brain fade, the track or just the conditions i don't know? i went along yesterday as "pit bitch' for a customer, and although the pit improvements stood out, it was still a gumboot wearing mudfest!! If thats 6mill spent well im in the wrong occupation!!

Dale M

Rod Grimwood wrote:Mate the horse's have caused shit (literally) for years out there, and they only survive on motorsport money. Different people entirely. Holy, follow them on the road with their flash trailers doing 60-70ks in middle of road, hair all done in bun like the horse's tail, they wear funny pants and things, just not right.
They know when things are on but just dick around. I love watching my dog eat his dog roll.

EType wrote:I really like the changed lay out - certainly helps even out the power differential but it has been poorly executed as others have said standing water on the track even when not raining heavily.

And the single seaters were bottoming out on the new ramp leading to the practice grid.

And six million and they could only build one toilet?

Also frustrating that we were supposed to start at 9.30 but didn't get away till 10.15 - i'm assuming this was at least partly horse related.

But easily the worst part is the freaking concrete barriers - why? I haven't seen an answer yet.

nzeder wrote:2 cars already parked there + right at the end another one goes in further up - look at round 48second in and around 1:01 the camera jumps which make you think he was hit while sitting there also.

Carlo wrote:One would expect that the yellow flag was being displayed and if so then two drivers have produced evidence that they ignored it and in doing so exposed other competitors and trackside officials to risk.