January 2 + 3, 2012
About seventy stockcars took the same risk I did and travelled to Bay Park despite dire weather predictions. Just like the New Zealand title in Rotorua, the rain held off long enough to complete the two day elimination process to find the 2012 NZ Grand Prix champion. The crowd size was pathetic considering the calibre of cars competing but it didn't stop the racing from being first class with drivers split into two larger than normal groups to find the final 36. 16 would progress from each group and a further 4 through a repercharge on night 2. There were many positives about this meeting but I cant in all honesty put a positive spin on the track surface. It was terrible, cars were bouncing over the moguls in turns three and four and the number of breakages, tyres popping and wheels shearing off was testament to the harsh conditions. A number of drivers failed to complete all three heats in qualifying.
Qualifying
Red Group
Heat 1 14r Matt Nilsson was the stirrer supreme in this group putting 6m Colin Denize into the wall on the first lap of the first heat signalling his intentions for the night. 15p Rob Miers took the first heat win with 45r Nick Vallance the biggest mover finishing 12th from grid 32. 29a Scott Tennant and 23m Karl Daniel also making great progress.
15p, 52r, 8r, 17b, 4r, 73p, 517s, 15r 29a, 23m
Heat 2 A great four way tussle for the lead between Tennant, 35m Eben Young, 8r Scott Fredrickson and 15p Rob Miers with Fredrickson grabbing the lead with about 6 laps remaining for a solid win. 47c Chris Hall joined a number of dnf's on the infield. 557p Darrell Wallace survived a moment when 14b Jemma Palmer spun infront of 24v Wayne Wright causing him to swerve sending Wallace into the wall on the back straight in a huge hit, Wallace only managing to finish in 16th place. 517s Mark Woods and 73c Nathan Taylor both puncturing. 15r Paul Mabey biggest mover.
8r, 29a, 35m, 15p, 73p, 97m, 17b, 15r, 52r, 4r
Heat 3 Last chance to qualify and with all the damage and dnfs from the previous two heats it was still possible for a number of cars to get through. First incident involved 73c taking 557p, 23m and 89r Ray Channing into the wall causing the side rail to come off the hot yellow coupe bringing on the red lights. 73p Mitchell Hill was leading at this point from 47c Hall and 15r Mabey. 97m Stacy Keach sent 8r Fredrickson into the wall with a decent hit, but hit of the race was a massive shot from 23m Karl Daniel into 557p Wallace like a freight train, sending the hapless 36m Mike Lowe into a big rollover. Mabey and Hill battled on with almost a dead heat on the line, the win going to 15r. 17b Aaron Iremonger had a quiet night but still managed a 4th, 7th and 3rd in trying conditions making him a real prospect for the finals.
15r, 73p, 17b, 4r, 517s, 15p, 35m, 52r, 29a, 8r
Photo above by Zach Rayner, Pitbull Creations
Qualifying
Blue Group
Heat 1 95a Gary Lonergan on the front row had a superb battle with 92g Brett Lloyd for the entire race until puncturing 2 laps from home, ending up well down the pack. 84i Mark Taylor drove a near perfect race to finish 2nd from an incredible grid 29 start. Biggest incident was 22m Les Hepworth becoming airborne on turn one (with some help from 25m, 878r and 123r) and damaging the safety fence. 74b Tony Palmer was the other red light incident in this race. Defending champ 67w Kane Hargreaves in the tank came home in 10th.
92g, 84i, 981p, 86r, 72r, 84m, 24m, 98r, 29m, 67w
Heat 2 Going by my lack of notes on this heat, it was pretty action packed. 98r Mark Costello was in trouble on lap 1 turn 2 held up in a 3 car crash, both 86r Richard Keijzer and 84i Mark Taylor circled the track with damage just trying to collect points. The turn 3 and 4 ruts really showed up in this race with big craters causing cars to actually bounce their way round the bend. Heat 1 winner Lloyd finished mid pack in 16th.
72r, 74b, 24m, 67w, 81r, 21s, 95a, 29m, 32h, 24r
Heat 3 87w Malcolm Ayers was the first spinner in this heat as 98r and 32h Darcy Meurant diced for the lead. 84i Taylor spun Costello with Meurant taking over the lead and Ill go out on a limb and say this is by far the fastest tank racing at the moment, incredible to watch. Unfortunately it became yet another victim of the track with the right rear bursting in spectacular fashion sending the tank into the wall just passed the start finish line bringing on the reds. On the restart 229s Kylee Symes lead 84i Taylor and 92g Lloyd. Taylor stalled on the restart losing heaps of places. Lloyd eventually worked his way to the front and took the chequered flag. The car was sounding pretty sick on the victory lap though and he didnt front for night two despite qualifying.
92g, 229s, 81r, 29m, 24m, 94r, 21s, 67w, 72r, 321v
Qualifiers:
4r Shaun Stewart
8r Scott Fredrickson
15p Rob Miers
15r Paul Mabey
17r Murray Kitt
17b Aaron Iremonger
21s Todd Duthie
23m Karl Daniel
24r Shane Newlands
29m Ryan Hunt
29a Scott Tennant
33r Kieran Hines
35m Eben Young
41c Ben Jacobs
52r Mike Herbert
67w Kane Hargreaves
72m Hamish Curd
72r David Rumney
73p Mitchell Hill
81r Damian Orr
84i Mark Taylor
86r Richard Keijzer
86w Kent Hawkins
94r Shaun Stewart
95a Gary Lonergan
97m Stacy Keach
98r Mark Costello
229s Kylee Symes
321v Hilton Parker
557p Darrell Wallace
581p Jordan Dare
Repercharge
47c Chris Hall
84m Ryan Smyth
45r Nick Vallance
73c Nathan Taylor
Finals night review coming...
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