Race Report Round 2 Auckland Car Club Summer Series

Round 2: Pukekohe Park Raceway: Auckland Car Club 13th October 2018

Despite dodgy weather forecasts, the weather gods turned on a sunny, but chilly day.  A smallish grid of 13 entered the round, however, due to a myriad of personal and car issues during the 4 days before race day only 7 arrived ready to race. Sadly 6 of our entrants, having made great efforts to be there were unable to make race day. A decision was made to combine the Toorace Trofeo grid with the Production Muscle Cars, who race period correct cars on road tyres. This provided a well-matched group of like-minded drivers and the experience was totally enjoyed by drivers of both grids.

New to the grid was Steve Battersby’s Fiat Grande Punto 1900 TDI, beautifully presented in Rosso Red and appropriately plated with ‘Fiat 1’. Steve was joined by his pit crew son Jonathan.

As they did last month we were well supported by those who were unable to race coming out to lend a hand or catch up.  Glenn & James of Toorace NZ visited in the morning bringing out race gear to show us. We were proud to show off the quality of the gear to neighbouring grids. Toorace found a willing market, drivers from other grids who had not yet caught up on the new Appendix A requirements and wished to avoid penalties and fines. It was great to be able to provide these drivers with an introduction to our Sponsors. Trofeo will now have a kit at each round containing a set of underwear, balaclavas & socks - available to view purchase should anyone arrive at the track without their full kit.

Wendy Metcalfe’s Sud retired from qualifying with a suspected fractured shear pin in the gearbox and despite. One gear was never going to be enough. Everyone else completed qualifying, including Darron Curphey whose GT was back in business after gear box dramas in Round 1. Despite his own gearbox issues with an AWOL 3rd gear Aaron Woolley managed to complete the whole day's racing.

Race 1 for Class points was a scratch race with Toorace Trofeo taking the second of the split grids, launching 20 seconds after the Production Muscle Cars got underway. Some good dicing as Steve Cowie and Darron Curphey moved their way through the slower Muscle Cars. Steve Battersby whose transponder was silent during qualifying, quickly showed the agility and power of the Punto leading the rest of the Toorace Trofeo pack home to 8th overall, and 3rd Toorace Trofeo across the line. The combined grid meaning that all Toorace Trofeo drivers had competition.

Race 2 was a handicap for Class points Steve Cowie and Darron Curphey continuing their GTA class points battle, Steve prevailed by a 1.2 second margin over the line. A 3rd and4th over the line against cars with considerably more horsepower showed the handling and braking capabilities of our Italians, notwithstanding the skill of the pilots! Unfortunately, Steve Battersby suffered a turbo failure which put the track support vehicles on alert in the 3rd lap. Chris Hunkin achieved a 5th overall again showing his consistency in the Trofeo spec Hornet. Tina Glennie and Aaron Woolley enjoyed a 6 lap tussle with Russell Thomas’ Ford Mustang.

In race 3 Tina again enjoyed battling with the Mustang, again her Alfa Sud Sprint coming out the victor with Chris Hunkin’s Alfa 33 close behind. The smiles on their faces as they arrived back in the pits suggests that this mixed grid racing was a winner. The ‘GT Train’ of Cowie & Curphey terrorised the Muscle Car racers and came home 2nd and 3rd. Aaron Woolley still without 3rd gear (Gearbox issues are becoming our number one issue this season) came home in a credible 7th overall.

At the end of day BBQ the laps got faster and better and it was pretty clear that the Toorace Trofeo people had enjoyed a great day together. We are pleased to have agreed to nominate Aaron’s partner Clare Swan to accept a committee nomination - her mission is to increase the Wellingtonian representation on the grid. Manawatu/Wellington Italian racers - you have been warned! The snag and a cold one were topped off by presentation of the Toorace Trofeo Season T-Shirt - watch for us at our next round, we’ll be looking sharp. Better still join the grid.

Series points leaders after Round 2:

GTA: Darron Curphey

GT Junior: Aaron Woolley

Veloce: Chris Browne & Tina Glennie

Trofeo: Chris Hunkin

Handicap: Aaron Woolley