by Bill Stone.
Hampton Downs 13th Dec 2009
Our first run on New Zealand’s newest race circuit.
Five Sports Cars contested this round of the championship and we joined the Formula Juniors for a combined group entry of 19.
Roger Munns, Buckler 90; Craig Laing, Buckler DD2; Brian Grant, Lotus 11 Consul; Brian Service, Mallock U2 Mk 8 and me, Mallock U2 Mk6B.
Brian Service and I were the fastest of the combined group, with times around 1.20. The Brabham FJ, the fastest Junior, was right there doing 1.21s. The Buckler’s and Lotus ran comfortably with the other Juniors. So this was probably the best place for us, although the earlier cars were lapped once which I think is acceptable.
I took advantage of the Saturday test day and although it was showery, it gave me a definite advantage for practice and the first race. I was on pole with Brian along side on number two spot. The remaining three were mixed in with the Juniors, so with the near perfect weather, there was some good racing in prospect.
Brian beat me off the line and held the lead for the first lap but I was able to put my Saturday laps to good use and snuck past, then continued to pull out a little on each lap. As I started my last lap I saw my water temp gauge had dropped to zero so I eased back a bit intending to cruise to the flag but I over did the cruise bit and Brian caught and passed me on the line. But the result sheet gave me the win! Brian had taken the flag on lap 9 but I had crossed the line in front on lap 8, the race distance. The flag had gone out one lap late. So Brian and I have agreed to split the points for this race.
After race 1, Brian Grant’s Lotus and Craig’s Buckler had lap times within a second and were working hard with the Junior’s doing simular times. Roger also had cars to dice with.
I managed to win the final two races though Brian Service did not make it easy and our lap times ending up about equal. Brian Grant enjoyed the circuit and was able to use the torque of that big four cylinder engine, he did not start race 3 as a small oil leak had developed. Craig had the Climax engine buzzing but found the drum brakes fading and had to extend his braking points. He finished the day with two 4ths and a 3rd. Roger had a great time and was looking for a little more speed and, like Craig, found the Buckler’s brakes a handicap.
I hope that this modern, smooth and exciting circuit will encourage more earlier Sports Cars to come and join the fun.
We all had a great days racing.
1716 Dummy grid at Hampton Downs. Historics and Sports racing cars practice.
9545 Craig Laing buckler DD2
