Lights Out Part II

Ollie Browne Memorial, Super Dirt Cup Modifieds
Waikaraka Park, Auckland






I seems hard to believe, during a season that has been difficult for the club, that yet another meeting comes to a premature end when things were humming along nicely. This time it was another lighting malfunction causing the abandonment of the racing before the Super Dirt Cup for Modifieds and the Ollie Browne Superstock Memorial race. They did manage to get through the Auckland Saloon title won by Phil Towgood, the Stockcar Bash for Cash title won by 59a Trevor Mason and the Streetstock title taken out by 66a Craig McKinney. Also the rarely seen Superstocks completed their Auckland title with Huntly visitor 73h Karl Ross the victor. 37r Ken Hunter and 351a Paul Vasey tied for second with the runoff another casualty of the nights power problems.

There were some great moments during the night, the Stockcars really turning on the action with a convincing win to 158a Dan Martin in heat 1, plenty of big hits in this one with 4h Matt Nilson a popular target. 9a Cam Kenworthy put on a great show that would ultimately win him stirrer of the night. Heat 2 win was credited to 59a Trevor Mason although I was sure 741a Craig Chatfield had passed him mid race and won. 88h Justin Hutchby was the troublemaker in this heat but many a car moved to the infield when he engaged them which was a bit disappointing. Only 11 cars from the original 23 coming out for heat 3 which finished with a Chatfield one-two, 91a Paul Chatfield followed home by Craig in second. Hutchby had his sights set on 29a Scott Tennant in this one but Tennants engine let go which kinda ruins your night. 85a Shannon Savage put a HUGE hit in on 38a Phil Smith and then turned his attention to Hutchby resulting in his car catching fire. Up until then it had been his best night in ages! Mason had been leading the points going into this heat but never missed an opportunity to attack anyone he felt like hitting and still managing to take the title. Great stuff.

59a Trevor Mason 62
91a Paul Chatfield 54
38a Phil Smith 45
741a Craig Chatfield 43
29a Scott Tennant 40

The big feature of the night was going to be the Super Dirt Cup for Modifieds, but only the heats for the two groups and most of the pole shuffle were completed. The major incident of the night involved 29a Mark Wade who was involved in contact with 55s Paul Ward resulting in a big roll and taking out a few cars before even crossing the start line. Also a bit of contact and dubious starts during the pole shuffles that became a farce during the 19a Scott Lane and 55s Paul Ward race. 1nz John Jackson and 4s Mark Dixon had really shown impressive pace and looked the goods for the final. Having read the Foxy website it appears they aren't going to have a fifth attempt at running this title and who can blame them. The Ollie Browne will get another go this weekend coming during the King of the Park meeting but the ugly weather looks set to return...