Newsletter

21 November

Toys out the cot....

Well not much to report, only 2 laps this week, but not due to damage or mechanical failure...but due to driver throwing his toys out the cot/spitting the dummy....whatever you want to call it.

Day didn't start well. Got up Saturday had breakie...only meal I have til after racing....then time to start the routine: Grab the gear bag, take transponder off charger....take transponder off charger...where the F$#* is the transponder? Mav you meathead...hadn't brought it in from grabbing it crew night on Wednesday, which meant no charge...which meant no transponder. Then to top it off, transponder was in the one car family wagon......&^%^%^ ^*%*^%*& *(&^*&^%*&^(

Managed to organise a club one for the night, so racing still on. Hadn't been able to do anything with the steering, as when previous axle was in the kingpins had been laid back, and there was no difference. So head out anyway.

Race one, we were positioned 3 rows from front on the inside. Flag dropped and away we go....the longest 2 laps were on. I just couldn't get to grips with it, was getting more and more frustrated, so as said, after two laps I pulled in. I'd had enough. The race finished and I went and started pushing Ben in 41 back to the pits as he had dnf'd due to mechanical issues. Only made it about half way back before the car died?????? Got pushed back by the towie. We thought we had done a module on the dizzy, but turned out a wire had shed some of its coating and was earthing out under the dash. Car started again, but I was gone I'd had enough and wasn't going back out.

So thats me done. My only other meet was meant to be South Island champs, but as I just can't get to grips with the steering, Its a no go zone for me. Bonezman will be back in the car on the 5th, so we should be able to see what the car can do again, as he showed on opening night, he can drive it.

So I'm back to being a wannabe, but the frustration has given me more incentive to get some more work done on mine. Who knows, I might get it out there before the end of the season - but we won't guarantee it. Will crew for bonez and Renee in the ministock and just plod along.

All the best to everyone else still racing....have a good rest of the season.

14 November

Champion of Champions 2nd night

Firstly, and ultimately, a huge thanks to Bonezman and Madness for doing an awesome job and replacing the other two sides: a new rear bumper and righthand side, including outrggers.

Also, thanks to Jackie of course.

Well! Goal of the night was to start and finish 3 from 3, and drive it on to the trailer. Goal accomplished, but it definitely wasn't pretty, plus a couple of referee via rep mentioned instructions throughout the night.

I would definitely say I have regressed in my driving standards, going from the '82 old girl to the about 2000ish girl. I have definitely concluded that my driving skills need a good heavyish steering, which hopefully we can try and sort for next weekend....lay the kingpins back they reckon, should help make the steering heavier...we will see.

Well to the results. We were running with the superstocks, to top up the numbers for both grades, as with the Crushers team heading to Blenhiem, and a few extra guys going along to spectate, our numbers were low.

Firstly apologies to them speed demons in the superstocks, if I got in your way...I know I received a few bumps, but as per drivers briefing, you were all very civil about it. Cheers guys.

First race up I was about midpack of the stockcars grid.

Second race I was off pole in the stockies, race 3 off the rear...and a bonus, pretty much off the rear again in the 4th.

Results: Last one home of the finishers in every race....and down about 2 laps on the Superstock fellas...so you could say I only really did 3 races lol

Pretty much the same routine in all of the first three races, trying to keep down low....as last report conclusion was correct I was the hunted tonight....didn't really want to give the opportunity to meet the wall heavily, and at times was probably a little low...though opinions differ as to whether I was being a lawnmower or not, it wasn't planned and wasn't on purpose. Throw in the mix, a bit of turny roundy by 28c.

Honest view would say that I wasn't racing tonight, more just doing laps.....proof of the pudding in that, was that my sister did faster laps in the ministock races....how sucky is that?!!?

The good thing about the stockie grade, is that it doesn't matter if your the novice or a top dog, you both have as much chance to take each other out, and after the race can still civily speak to each other and pass on knowledge and banter.

Race 4 was thrown in the mix as an extra (first up best dressed), and I knew Hughsey (28c) was up to something, as he wasn't gridding up til I had joined the queue. he had actually given me something to laugh about after the 3rd race, by stopping on the front straight knowing I would smash in to him...and sure enough I did....least it gave me something to laugh about for the night. So race four was pretty much filled with 28 filling my mirrors, giving me grief, but a well needed bit of niggle. Unfortunately the race ended about a lap early with the magnet in poohs front bumper attracting to my rear bumper. Not sure how, but I ended up with a flat front right, which ended up being the tyre rolling off the bead...grrr, so close to 4 out of 4.

So this week, is a much easier effort, with hopefully just trying to adjust the steering, and the usual nut and bolts check (oh and the straightening of one left wheelgate and a few tubes to fill the front tyres and sort them beads out). If it doesn't work this week, it will likley end my thoughts of heading to the South Islands (all the paperwork is filled in ready to go...just one more shakedown), as it just wouldn't be worth my efforts and the increased chance of doing more unneccessary damage to myself and others....although that is the deal with stockies isn't it?

Next week is the Mcfall Trophy, and the stockie numbers should be back up, so likely to run on our own again, which will be good.

Til next time...... c ya

Fireworks Extravaganza

Well not much to report. 4 laps doesn't give you much to give a rundown on, but here goes.

The guys had spent quite a few hours last week, repairing all the damage Bonez had created in his 3 races. Along comes Mav, with the 33c body on and rearing to go. Plenty of positive chat in the pits pre race time "haha drive it like a stockie, use it the way its supposed to be used blahdy blahdy blah"

Well it was all go. Race one I was off the inside, about row 4 or 5. As mentioned after practice report, I am a tad rusty and this was the time to see how rusty I was. Lap 1 and a 1/4 I was driven up and along the back wall straight "YOU'RE FRIGGING JOKING, IS MY FIRST RACE OVER ALREADY? TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR...HANGON - BONEZ SAID KEEP IT FLAT, SO BACK ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND MANAGED TO COME BACK DOWN ON TO THE TRACK" Thanks Leon in 16c, memory bank OPEN. About another lap in, and I'm pretty sure I have a puncture, but not to sure which one so keep driving. Was coming in to turn 3 and 4 and thought ah why not, saw a car out of the corner of my eye, so guided them in to the wall...whoops howdy Pooh, I'll be on his list now. Threw the car in to reverse, gave the crew and the freight train of cars coming through a heart attack and drove off.

This is where the night goes caput. Coming in to turn one, I see what I thought was the oil pressure light come on......giving me bad flash backs, as the last time I was on this damn track racing, I blew an engine - in a borrowed car.....I believe I made a booboo and tried to find my way to the infield, but due to the sun blearing in I lost track where I was, coming to a stop....BANG 26c clipping my right rear corner....then WHAMMO right up the date came 93c - welcome back Aaron....causing the right rear section of my bumper to collapse, pinging my wheel gate and me thinking hell this has gotta hurt! Aaron was pretty much in the same boat as me, as was blinded by the sun, and just didn't have anywhere to go as he hadn't seen me.

So, first race back and heading back to the pits on the back of the tow truck. Man this sucks! So we checked her over, porta powered the bumper back so we could get another rear wheel on, checked the other damage noting broken king pin and steering rod, plus most if the right hand side rail outriggers had torn through the steel...not the weld...the steel. Pin pulled, time to watch some racing.

Considering renaming ourselves HIAB Racing, as the car has required assistance to get back on the trailer for the last two weeks. lol

Didn't manage to catch the second stockie race, as we were still trying to sort the car, but have to say well done to Vaughn in the last race, as I don't think he missed hitting a car on the way to taking his win. Man he was flying - really think you need to remove the NSX supercharger Vaughn lol

Well will see what prevails over the next week or so, as the damage is fixed. Am heading to Nelson this weekend to watch and help out the Crushers as they take on the Thunder in a teams race, so should be good viewing.

Til next time,

Mav

After meeting 2 update.

Hi all, bit slow on the update but here we go.

Meeting one was pretty full on. Trophy night and rumours were that there were going to be plenty of stockies there for opening night, so Bonezman decided he would run with the Superstocks to make up the numbers as they were a tad thin.

Up until about half an hour before grand parade that was it....but the superstocks had enough to run by themselves without the stockies making up the numbers. That didn't stop us, or a few of the other stockies, they decided to run both.

Makes for a busy night. Lucky for us, we didn't sustain to much damage until the 4th race of the night, at which point we endured some steering issues. Bonezman tried to continue, but just couldn't make it on to the track from the infield for that last 1/4 of a lap. In he came sorted the steering in time for what would have beeen race 5 of the evening, but the driveshaft had fallen out (turns out is was a tad short + didn't have correct connection to gearbox, so we woulda have always had that issue - thanks to Frank at Circle Track Engineering for going "What the F$%K is?" that and throwing it in the bin, and replacing with the real deal) Overall we were pretty stocked with the night - got a lap with the chequered flag due to an ELS malfunction, but we will take it as it gives us a good photo :-). Apart from the driveshaft, the car sat well, didn't overheat and woulda just kept going.

Meeting two Canterbury stockcars and Ministock Champs. Was going to be an easier night, with just the 3 races...well so we thought lol

Race one from rear of the pack, came in with right front corner of the bumper shagged, plus a nice hole in the rear bumper from Blaine in the Filthy Woppitt (before he broke his foot). We all worked our butts off and got Bonezman out for the second race telling him "be careful of that corner"...so he was. Shame about the other corner lol Plus a mount had broken from the front axle, which in turn spun that causing some damage to the radiator. So the 5c was looking a tad under the weather. Tis only steel they say!

So between yesterday and the next few days, hopefully we will have her ready to go again for this weekend Fireworks Extravaganza - really hoping so, cos I get to embarass myself this weekend, with the 33c body being put on the car. Tis a bit of a shame really, cos Blaine was really looking forward to rubbing rails - he has been threatening me for about 2 years! Looks like that will need to wait - get well soon Blaine, hope Sharon doesn't kill ya in that 6 weeks at home recouperating!

Hopefully will get a pic or two this week, as those blank ones are a tad boring lol

Til next week.........

September Practice #2

Hi all,

Been a couple of months since last update, but a bit of hard work (mainly by Boneman and Madness - slack offseason for me this year!!) has gone in to getting the 5c/33c stockie ready to roll at the 2nd practice held at Woodfordglen yesterday.

Bonezman took the car out for the first run, which was quite a mud bath. The super saloons/a-grades, had beached themselves in the first run, so they got called in and the streeties went out and cut the track up a bit, creating just the one line round the outside. This is where Bonesman put the car, and the car sat real well.

Time for the second run, and I took it out...man am I rusty as...has been a couple of years since being in a car on the track, and I'm sure it looked that way. Though, once a few more cars are out there and we are in the thick of it, it will look like I am mixing it up a bit more lol ...gotta try and make something positive out of it.

Still to sort out the seasons calendar, but am really keen to get a good run in. Practice 3 is a couple of weeks away, and still the odd thing to sort, but should be all good for opening night on the 17 October.

Will have some photos for next update hopefully.

Til next time,

Mav

July update 3

Howdy again, check out the Hitman Racing link above, for a small update from Noel.

cheers,

Mav

July update 2

Well as said below, a bit has been happening around the place.

Last season I crewed for Craig 87c superstock and Jackie 95c ministock. I have said before we didn't have the greatest season in regards to the superstock, and apart from the rollover towards the end of the season for the ministock, it was positive. But Jackie, decided she wanted to go play with the big boys, which meant she was in search of a stockcar to purchase.

One was found, so at this stage we will have the superstock and stockcar to crew on.

The stockcar has made its way back to CHCH, as it was previously 56c, 56i and now 5c, so we will give it a quick going over closer to 1st practice time. It had a bit of a blast at oxford last month, and we found a few issues, but only minors we can see at this stage. Jackie enjoyed herself even with all the dramas.

The superstock on the other hand, has...due to an over eager Bonezman, undergone another rebuild. He was pretty happy with the look of last years rebuild, but it wasn't quite as full as he wished, so he has been going hard out to sort it for this year. The engine will get a checkover soon to ensure we don't have the gremlins that caused the early finishing of last season, and fingers crossed, we will have a sligthly more lengthly season. Have felt like a bit of a 5th wheel, so far this offseason, but remembered that most of my time was spent helping out closer to opening dates last year, so best is yet to come.

My flattie has a headplate sitting there waiting to be trimmed a fraction more, and then we can complete the rollcage. The rough look of the car can be seen to the right. Slow process, but as it happens, it happens. I'll sort my licence and membership this year, so that I am there as backup driver (gotta try anything haha), as had a few offers of a drive last season also, but as didn't have the doc's I couldn't take them up.

Keep asking the question:

Why do we do this? BECAUSE WE LOVE IT! HMMMMMMMM petrolfumes.

Til next time,

Mav

July 2009 update

Hey all, check out the new addition to the website. Noel "Hitman" Inns has had a page added and the link is to the right above. Just a few photos added so far, but some words to come in the next few days.

Will write a few myself in the next couple of days, as things have been happening round here to.

catch ya soon,

Mav

January Update

Hi all,

Not much been happening here really, apart from the chassis is staying in the shed! Haven't given up on the dream, just need to take a bit more time out to ensure I can get there.

So, what HAS been happening?

Decided about a week and a half out, that would head up to Wellington to watch the Stockcar Teams Champs. It is quite often referred to as the Wellington Stockcar Teams Champs, and all politics aside, they definitely have it all wrapped up. They are definitely a well knit group, and seem to come out on top, even when they look like they are down and out. Favourite team of the meeting, was definitely the Titans...yes a southern team, but man did they open some eyes this year! Am looking forward to returning next year, probably helping out the Canty Crushers ;P. Also a big thanks to the Professor and Mikeyb for allowing me to tag along with them due to not being able to secure some transport.

Have been helping mate out this season with his superstock, with the big aim being the NZ's at home track of Woodfordglen. We made it to qualifying, but didn't achieve anything near what we wanted. Leading up to the meet we had some engine issues, which we hoped had been rectified, but the gremlin re-emerged on Qualifying day. We nearly didn't even make our heat 1, but thanks to the friendly man parked next to us...Stan Hickey...we were able to make the start line. From the start it looked like Craig was doing quite well, but became noticeably slower soon after. He had wanted to get a bit of hitting practice in before this meet, but didn't quite happen....he made up for it in this heat. He managed to be sideways, and was therefore bulldozed around turn 3 and 4 by about 3 or 4 cars.....quite a fun ride he tells me haha. Once back in, off came the rocker covers to find, the gremlin was back, so our weekend ended there. It wasn't meant to be, which is a bugger.

Not sure at this stage what the rest of the season entails, but will go with whatever happens.

From the sideline, tha tha thats all folks.

cheers,

Mav

September blurb

Well, so are the days of our lives! blah blah blah.

Everything is up, so something has to go down. Big decision made to sell up, and consolidate for a couple of years, to take away some of the daily stress. Hurts a wee bit, but I WILL BE BACK. The kermit transporter has been sold...on its way up north in the next couple of hours, and then its time to prep the stockie for sale.

Likely to get a run in a superstock at one of the Teir 2 meetings, so really looking forward to that. Will be pit crewing for superstock 87c and Ministock 95c, so should be kept busy, thats for sure. And whoever else I get roped in to helping.

Keep an eye on the website still, as will endeavour to do some pictorials during the season if/when time allows depending on workload on the night.

So, 'til next time:Good luck to those that will be running this season, and hope all those off season rebuilds have gone to plan.

June Update

Well, the season is definitely over and done. What's been happening? Well upuntil last weekend, not a lot. Finished the season helping out Steve in 51, went to the Woodfordglen prizegiving, couldn't really afford to go but thought as was first season we would go along for a nosey. Have been to a SNZ meeting about the direction etc of stockcars..highlighted the fact I know NOTHING, but took what I could understand on board. Have also been to the W/Glen Promoters meeting for stock cars, so we have a bit of an idea and input in to what our season will involve. There are some crazy numbers of cars being mentioned so will be a full on year.

But to the important suff. Finally made a start on re doing that roll cage last weekend. Thanks to Bones here for his efforts, if he didn't come over, I could see the car sitting in its present state for another 3 years. Cheers Bones, and we'll keep them cashew nuts coming.

What a weekend to start: it snowed! but we got out there and got in to it. wasn't to bad once we got started. have realised that things that you think won't take long..can. So after about 8 hours we called it a day, having the main rear hoop and forward bars bent and tweaked to fit nicely.

We hit it again on Monday night, and then again yesterday. Just a few more bracing bars to put in for extra cautious safety and then we will be done. So hopefully next Saturday we will have all the bar work done. Have decided not to worry about putting the mesh on just yet, as it will give us a bit more access to get at things when we are sorting the steering. The head plate I need to put an order in for so that can be done at a later stage also.

So about now, is thank you time again.

Bones, again appreciate your time and efforts.

Hitman, cheers for the use of the bender, I will return it soonish.

Pooh, cheers for that piece of pipe. Must grab that steering component off you soon to. :-)

Hobbie, cheers for the mesh, will complete the picture nicely we are trying to create.

Deno, for the delayed payment of the body, more will arrive in the next couple of weeks.

and wifey Rach, thanks for being on holiday this last week...meant we could keep working in the garage and not worrying about the racket :-)

Hope everyone else's rebuilds etc are going well! Only 12 weeks 'til first practice at the Glen, not leaving much time is it?

'til next time

C u,

Mav

Feb 2008 Update

Confirmed. My season is all but done and dusted. Had a wee accident at work (four square is a dangerous sport, well it is at my work anyway lol lesson learnt > don't put hand out to break fall!!) which has damaged a bone in my hand, putting me in a cast for 8 weeks all up. So can't earn the extra cash to get me sorted for the March run of meetings. F#$% d$%^ Bugger F#$%.

So I may as well use this update as a season review for 33c.....

What can I say, I didn't think there was a chance of me being there at the start of the season, so my first and foremost thanks and appreciation goes to Paul Dumelow. It may not be the fastest and flashest car out there, but its still a big deal to say here, drive this, and not expect much in return. THANKYOU PAUL!!!

Out of the 4 meetings I was able to make, I was amazed at the fact that I was still in the top ten for points. I was also impressed with the way pretty much all the guys in the grade were willing and offered assistance to pretty much anyone that asked, or didn't ask. I've had a blast, and can't wait to get back out there

So, the plan of attack, is to ride out the next 7-8 weeks, get the use of both hands back, watch a lot more racing and give a hand...literally... to a few of the guys when I can. Once I can, I will finish putting the old girl back together, and return her to her rightfull owner.

So last but not least, thanks to my sponsors who will carry over to next season:

Beaurepaires Wairaki Road - thanks Chris

Auto Corrosion Repairs - thanks Mike

Truckcenre Canterbury - thanks guys

Dumelow Contracting - THANK-YOU PAUL!!

cheers,

Mike

PS you will have to wait til next season Olly, for that payback :-)

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