LG Nova & Swift/LG Mini Seven: Race Report Powerbuit Tools Raceway at Ruapuna Park, 7-8 March 2009

We were thrilled to be invited to race two very well known classic racecars at Ruapuna Park over this weekend – providing a perfect opportunity for some ‘time out’ of Auckland and a break away from many weeks of prepping the LG Falcon for race meetings at Manfeild and Pukekohe.  The chance to drive Gareth Hall’s 500hp+ Pre-65 class 1963 Chevy Nova SS in its first-ever outing in eight years along with one of New Zealand’s best-prepared Mini Seven’s was irresistible!

 

We were based just along from the V8 Utes in the pit lane garages for the weekend with the LG Nova and Kermit green mini side-by-side.  These two very different cars drew loads of attention from a far more wide-ranging crowd than we would usually see at a V8s meeting, with fans also appreciating the chance to get more ‘up close and personal’ with Angus and the cars than would be appropriate at a NZV8s meeting.  With massive LG logos on the cars, great support from the commentators and the LG flags flying high we were hard to miss!

 

Over the course of the weekend we had race wins in both classes, and some exciting tussles with fellow competitors which will make for some exciting television and magazine coverage. 

 

We always knew this outing would be a real test in the Nova after so much time off the track, so allowed some time over the weekend for tweaks here and there.  Sure enough, we had to overcome some small challenges on Saturday with our exhaust and electrics, however we qualified in the top three, and by Sunday morning were winning a race in the LG Nova!

 

QUALIFYING – Nova 3rd

We managed to post the third-fastest time in only a few laps – an excellent result given we were still familiarizing ourselves with the Nova’s eccentricities.  It really is a ‘handful’ on the track – very challenging but great fun to drive!

 

QUALIFYING -  Mini 1st

Made it look easy! Nearly ¾ of a second clear of current champion Kent Yarrell was light years in ‘mini time’ so we were pleased to kick off on a high!

 

RACE 1 – LG Nova - Saturday (6 laps)

A dramatic race for us as we started from pit lane one lap down after uncovering an electrical fault in our warmup lap.   Once fixed, we spent the race carving through the field, judging ourselves against fellow competitors and of course learning a great deal about what to expect in races two and three, and work out some ‘demon tweaks’ for tomorrow.

 

RACE 1 – Mini – Saturday (6 laps) – 2nd

This was fun!  We started on pole position and went on to battle with Kent for the first few laps before pulling out a good lead. As the race went on we suffered a drop in oil pressure, allowing Kent to catch up and overtake – however we gave it our all, thrashing it until the very end and finished a close second.

 

RACE 2 – LG Nova - Sunday (6 laps) – 1st

The grid for race 2 is a reverse top 50% and the second half of the grid determined by lap times. We started 8th and were delighted to be 2nd by the first corner! After dispersing with a pesky Cortina we roared off into the lead and crossed the line in first, setting a lap time only one tenth of a second off the lap record! 

 

RACE 2 – Mini – Sunday (6 laps) 1st

Another day, another engine for our Mini Seven, which was fitted by the ever-faithful Chris Charles at dawn! We started from pole again and after another good battle with Kent, managed to hold on for the race win.

 

RACE 3 – Nova - Sunday (full reverse grid) – 2nd

A full reverse grid with time delay start saw us starting at the back with Wayne Patrick, the championship leader in his potent 289 Falcon V8, a GM vs. Ford grudge match! After another good start we picked off car after car but couldn’t quite catch Jim Kelly’s Fastback Mustang. A few ‘hairy’ moments in this one, with a massive brake lockup off the long front straight, and a bumper-locking moment with the other Chevy Nova should result in some exciting TV action to come.  We’ll let you know the airdate asap.

 

All-in-all, this was a great race weekend, combining a strong qualifying performance, race wins in two different cars and a great opportunity to meet more motorsport fans.

 

The LG Nova is now having a series of improvements made to it before departing for Invercargill later this week, ready for us to tackle the Pre-65 field again at Teretonga Park this weekend (21-22 March).  This time, all three races are run on Sunday.

 

I’d like to thank the team for a great weekend: Firstly, a big thanks to Gareth and Chris for entrusting me with their race cars and helping crew for the weekend, and secondly to the rest of the crew: Pete, Dean, Rod and Tracy – it was great working with you!

 

Posted: Sun 08 Mar 2009

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