Team 40 to NZ

[Russ Noble]

Timaru was great, I'll let Ross fill you in on the racing, suffice to say we finished all races and Ross kept it on the island.

I was a bit worried about debris down the injection when the clip was open, but Maurice came back with some cute little balls from the Two Dollar Shop which were just the ticket.

Maurice also supplied the tent shown alongside our rig. Nice to have a bit of shade on a hot day. Thanks Maurice.

Roll on Teretonga!

 

[Jac Mac]

Your initial concerns were likely correct, the writing is TOO SMALL & the person concerned nearly ran off the track from taking too long to read it. The CRO who obviously was not used to delivering complaints of this nature probably forgot to advise you that this was the case!!

 

[Maurice Butler]

Program from Levels (Timaru)
GT40s.com - PhotoPlog - View File

Ross consistanly in the top four except for reverse grid races where he was determined to keep the car in one peice for next weekend.

Two tracks down, one to go. All complete in three weekends, the skills are getting sharpen, look forward to the results from next weekend.

 

[Leon]

Ross alluded to some contact with an MG at Ruapuna........

The guy shut the door on Ross even though the MG was receiving waved blue flags and managed to clip the back of the GT40 with his front guard as Ross was going through. That was OK, just a racing incident which cost Ross a race finish and a $700 tyre. Below is a photo of the MG proclaiming "laidback MG racing" which was all very well until he came over wound up as tight as a spring and accused Ross of running into him! I don't think I have seen anyone less laidback. LBMGR would seem to be something of an oxymoron......

No wonder he shut the door on you Ross,with that Big Bloody sticker across his rear window he wouldn't have seen you coming.Now a good scrutineer(tongue in cheek)would have made him remove that.
Cheers Leon

 

[Bill Hara]

Ross/Russ
How about some details??
I can't find a link to results anywhere.....Help?

 

[David Sturch]

Ross/Russ,
I have a few new ideas for some rear graphics.
"If you can read this you are following too close" or
"If you can read this you are not going fast enough"
I would make the lettering half the size for the first one.
Dave

 

[Russ Noble]

Ross/Russ
How about some details??
I can't find a link to results anywhere.....Help?

Patience Bill, there are no on line results. You'll have to wait for a blow by blow account from Ross. He's somewhere between Levels and Teretonga as we speak and may not be able to get on his computer. He should also have some good in-car footage to post later.

I am driving down to Teretonga Friday morning, will leave about 2am. Hopefully no cops out on the roads at that hour of the morning, should get to Jac Macs for breakfast. Bacon, eggs and tomatos on toast please Donna! And a nice strong coffee!:heart:epper::shrug:

 

[Jac Mac]

I am driving down to Teretonga Friday morning, will leave about 2am. Hopefully no cops out on the roads at that hour of the morning, should get to Jac Macs for breakfast. Bacon, eggs and tomatos on toast please Donna! And a nice strong coffee!:heart:epper::shrug:

We have put an extra order in with 'Meals on Wheels' service for the weekend for you, they require your senior citizens card # in order to provide this, they also felt a glass of fresh milk might be more suitable beverage for you to start the day with!!

 

[Bill Hara]

:bow::karate::bow:Yes Master Noble san, I must learn patience...:bow::karate:

Very hard to learn this lesson....:thumbsup:

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Ross is something of a shocker when he's had a couple of beers.....

Just had to poke the borax at that guy with some additional signage added before the Timaru round at Levels.....

Hahahah, I missed this post earlier, absolute gold! I wonder who put in the complaint? Not a certain MG driver surely?

 

[Iain]

Ross,

You need to take a heat gun & scraper to your tyres, why are you running around on other peoples spent rubber ?

Iain

 

[Jac Mac]

Well, Ross & Cheryl made it this far in the Noble Range Rover complete with enough lights on the Dash to turn Invergiggle into a Casino town for the weekend. Couldnt miss my driveway with the ' welcome ' sign I put up!! Just got to survive a couple nights out on the town with all his old mates in order to complete the series now

 

[Maurice Butler]

Ross/Russ,
I have a few new ideas for some rear graphics.
Dave

Horse for Courses ............... Thoroughbred and Donkeys don't mix

 

[Russ Noble]

complete with enough lights on the Dash to turn Invergiggle into a Casino town for the weekend.

Not wishing to promote any thread drift or provide a crash course in Vehicle Maintenence 101, but if it worries you, although I don't usually bother, have you tried replenishing the oil and water and petrol? That usually puts out about half the warning lights! I'm not sure what all the others are for, I think they must be some sort of video game to amuse you when you've broken down in the middle of nowhere with no radio reception!

 

[Al Jones]

Just got to survive a couple nights out on the town with all his old mates in order to complete the series now

Damn,that is one tough job,even with someone else picking up the bar tab,but I'm sure you'll get through it,Jac Mac. Only wish I was there to spell you when it really gets rough. Uh hunh. Don't forget to pin some signs on your shirts that say "please send us home,we have to race tomorrow!". A.J.

 

[Jac Mac]

This is about the best profile pic I have seen so far of Ross's car in action, dont know whether thats some fluid loss from an overflow tube @ RR or just a join on track surface--

 

[Ross Nicol]

Well here I am in Invercargill my original hometown where I was born and there have been a few changes since I left in 1974. The loaned Range Rover (from Russ N) made it ok, towing the racecar and trailer, however I will require a bank loan when I return to Australia to pay for the fuel it's using on this trip. I had to get a new jockey wheel for the trailer (don't know how I damaged it) so off we went to E Hayes & sons to get one. Now for anyone that doesn't know, this is the hardware store in Invercargill, that has Burt Munro's famous Indian motorcycle on display and as I worked there (when I was a lot younger) I made myself known to Neville Hayes the current owner manager and he reminded me of some of the names of my fellow workers. Neville has invited me to view his personal shed full of motorbikes tomorrow. I will take my camera because his collection will no doubt be amazing.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Now onto the racing last weekend at Levels raceway in Timaru. We got into Timaru on Thursday evening and went for a meal with our hosts John & Helen Hewson, now i'd like to explain how friendly and hospitable the people in the South Island of NZ are by relating this story. I met John and Helen at the Ruapuna meeting the previous weekend and when I realised they were from Timaru I asked John if he knew of a Motel that had a large and secure car park, where I could store the car and trailer, he went away returning a moment later and said we could stay at the Hewson house and as he and Helen were flying to Auckland for the Top gear show we would have the house to ourselves till sunday night. They also accepted my pit crew (Mr Noble) as well, so all was in place for a nice weekend. Up early on Friday morning and after bidding farewell to the Hewsons , Russ and I headed for the track in the Rangie towing the 40.<o></o>
We arrived and unloaded the car just as Maurice Butler (another local and site member) showed up with his tent/shelter. This shelter was available for the whole weekend (thanks Maurice) and protected us from the ultra violet rays, however sunseeker Mr Noble enjoyed sitting out in the sunshine with no protection at times. Friday was scheduled for free practice in the morning and Qualifying in the afternoon. I'm not sure why they called it qualifying though, because there was no lap timing available and there was to be a draw for the first race start positions on Sat morning. So I completed both sessions ok and was learning the track quite well, but the tight sections were quite technical and difficult. My pit crew at this stage thought it would be a good idea to replace the brake fluid so off we drove to town to see if we could find some of the Penrite fluid I use. Half an hour later my phone rings and it's Maurice who informs us that the MG's have complained about my driving standards to the CRO (Competitor Relations Officer), but mostly are upset at the new sign on the rear of my car. See the above posts for the sign. So I'm now blaming Mr Noble for getting me into trouble.<o></o>
Saturday morning and another beautiful day, I finish the first race ok still trying to get a handle on the track but I can't remember my finishing position. After I return to the pits the CRO comes over and thanks me for modifying the sign, of course I ordered Russ to remove the offensive part but he was happy now that it had done it's job and been seen.<o></o>
The 2nd race went well and I came home in 4th. The 3rd race was a reverse grid race and I was very very careful to stay out of trouble. I got past as many of the slower cars as I could within the 5 laps and think I finished 7th.<o></o>
I bought a $70 ticket for my pit crew to go to the Sat evening function and then I was gutted when we were offered free tickets from fellow competitors. Even before the band started playing I recognized the lead guitarist and we hugged, he and I had played in a band together in the 1970s. Seemed like this would be a good night. The red wine was flowing but Nicol and Noble returned home by 10:30pm, so well behaved don't you think.<o></o>
Next day Sunday and 2 races scheduled. I started in 7th but soon made it up to 4th on the heels of a Lotus Elan, being driven well by a man named Chris Chiles I think. Jack O in the TVR was creating one of those close races by slowing down to let us catch up and all 4 of us put on a display for the public.<o></o>
The 2nd race was another of the dreaded reverse grid races and I had to go into mr nice guy mode to save the car from possible damage. 2 guys in Fiat Abarts had decided they would like to finish in front of a GT40 so they blocked me on every lap, at the only real, safe, passing spot. Not sure where I finished but I was happy the car was in one piece yeah!<o></o>
Then a final race was added for us which would include the open top cars. I managed to secure a front row start by being quick to line up. I got away to a really good start but as this was a 10 lap race I knew the race lead would be hard to hang on to. After completing the first lap I spotted the TVR off the circuit at turn 2 and I figured it would be hard for JO to get back and win from there. Anyway I lost the lead on the next lap to the little yellow open top car (John) and then held 2nd right through to the 9th lap when the blasted 'P' car got past me, however I noticed I had better top speed than him on the straights, so I devised a scheme to try and get 2nd off him. I came into the last corner as fast as I could and accelerated as early as possible, I ended up only 1/2 a meter from taking him on the line. I enjoyed that and the 'P' driver did too. Oh well it was a third place podium finish and I was happy with that and a straight car to take down to Invercargill.<o></o>
Next report next week<o></o>
Ross :thumbsup:<o></o>
<o> </o>

 

Ross on song in the rain at Teretonga. It was very, very wet and greasy so Ross's three third places on Saturday were well driven (he almost got a couple of seconds - he needs some extra wide flared arches to stop that pesky P car getting past.....).

 

and a nice profile shot or two... I don't think that's any of Ross's fluids out the back this time JacMac.

 

[Keith]

Car looks really good and settled in the corners with negative camber everywhere, but the mention of Ross's "fluids" is just a little too much information for us Northern Hemisphere "shandy boys"

Well done Mr Nicol..