Sim Racing NZ Rundown May 2012

PLUS: GOFAST SUPERSTOCKS + MIDGET SUPER SERIES

V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIPKICKS OFF

MONTHLY SIM RACING PUBLICATION ISSUE 2 - MAY 2012

SIMRACING NZ

ROUND 1 / JUNE 9 - VOLUSIA RACEWAY PARK

ROUND 5 / JULY 7 - THUNDER VALLEY

FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE VISIT

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

ROUND 3 / JUNE 23 - FARMER CITY

ROUND 7 / JULY 21 - CHARLOTTE

ROUND 2 / JUNE 16 - 34 RACEWAY PARK

ROUND 6 / JULY 14 - WILLIAMS GROVE

ROUND 4 / JUNE 30 - LA SALLE SPEEDWAY

ROUND 8 / JULY 28 - KNOXVILLE

S E R I E S S P O T L I G H T

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CREDITSEDITOR Mitch Keys

WRITERS Jamie Hall

Matthew Pluck Mitch Keys Sam Gray

Nick Eichler

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jamie Hall Mitch Keys

SRNZ CREW CHIEFS Daniel Huia

Hayden Kirk Jamie Hall Mitch Keys Peter May

SRNZ PIT CREW Anton Bowen

Ayrton Smith Matthew Pluck

Tony Drake Nick Eichler

Vaughn Hutton

CARS/TRACKS BY Kiwi Dirt Sim Racing

Dirt Late Model Sim Dirtshop Creations Inc

Kiwi Sim Racing Boz Racing

ORSM Image Space Incorporated

SUPPORTED BY Castrol Edge

Go Fast Energy Drink SkyDiveZone

FFF FORDS DOMINATE V8 Supercars Round 1

SLY SWEEP V8 Supercars Round 2

MIXED BAG AT CHATHAM V8 Supercars Round 3

GEORGE GRABS ROUND WIN V8 Supercars Round 4

SAM GRAY SETUP That’s My Rig!

SHERLOCK UNCOVERS WIN Go Fast Superstocks Round 9

CHANGE OF FORTUNE FOR JOHANSEN Go Fast Superstocks Round 10

GO FAST GREEKS Go Fast Superstocks Round 11

GINNS SECURES FINALS POSITION Go Fast Superstocks Round 12

TOP OF THE SOUTH CLASH Go Fast Superstocks Round 13

GO FAST SUPERSTOCK FINALS Finals Event Programme

KEYS TAKES WIN Midget Super Series Round 6

HALL CLAIMS MAIDEN WIN Midget Super Series Round 7

KIHIKIHI CLOSER Midget Super Series Round 8

TTR INVADE STREETS OF HAMILTON TTR Hamilton 400

WHERE WE WERE Hamilton 400

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

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M I D G E T S

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

Words: Matthew Pluck Photography: Mitch Keys

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After a hard fought qualifying session, Kyle George snatched the pole off Slykiwi with V8SFG-Muzza, Bryce Harding and Mitch Keys rounding out the top 5 on the grid. In race one, Slykiwi got the jump on Kyle George off the line and was leading through turn one. Mitch Keys ducked under Bryce Harding at the hairpin to move up to 3rd position while further back Shaun Kingi and Stockie NZ battled for 4th place. When the latter pair came down the back straight, Kingi overcooked it and dropped back to 8th place, just in front of Mathew Greeks. V8SFG-Muzza made contact with Hardman coming onto the front straight putting him into the wall. With a lap to go, Mitch Keys was working all over Kyle George’s bumper trying to take away 2nd Position but to no avail.

Race two grids were the finishing order of race one. Slykiwi was off the pole but Bryce Harding had a flyer off the 2nd row which saw him take the lead. This lead was short lived as Slykiwi ducked down the inside on the hairpin to take the lead back. Harding shortly dropped back after that as Kyle George started to work over his rear bumper but caught back up to Slykiwi once Mitch Keys started to work over the bumper of George. Harding snatched a brake coming into the hairpin but managed to recover to hold his position, the mistake allowed the following cars to catch up. Coming onto the front straight Harding dropped a wheel onto the grass, slamming hard into the wall, and dropping back 4 places before recovering. Keys managed to get a draft on George and

out-braked him down into the hairpin, taking over 2nd Place. Struggling with a damaged car, Harding dropped another two places to RevXS and Stockie NZ.

Race three and once again Slykiwi skipped away to a comfortable lead. Mitch Keys took to the grass, losing time to the chasing car of Kyle George and allowing George to get the draft down the back straight only to have Key slam the door shut. Further back Stockie NZ and Bryce Harding were battling hard for 5th place with Stockie NZ making a mistake coming onto the back straight allowing Harding to get the draft and get down the inside at the hairpin. Back up front Slykiwi had clean air while George was coming under attack from V8SFG-Muzza. Both Keys and George had pit in on the same lap with George having a massive moment coming into the pit that cost him a penalty pit stop. A lap later, Slykiwi went in and back out into the lead no problem. After pit stops, Slyiwi led Keys, Muzza, Harding, and Stockie Nz. Slykiwi now had to get through a bunch of lapped cars while Keys closed in. Slykiwi make it past Nick Bell-May and Daniel Huia before latching onto the bumper of Hardman coming onto the back straight. Up ahead of the pair, Miers spun out and rolled back in to the path of a rapidly approaching Slykiwi, leaving the race leader with nowhere to go. Slykiwi carried on but was sporting some damage which slowed him down. Keys made a move around the outside of the hairpin to take the lead while Slykiwi battled to keep the car going straight and hold onto 2nd place.

4WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

V 8 S U P E R C A R S




SLY SWEEP

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Round 2 of the Go Fast New Zealand V8Factor Unleashed Series saw the teams and drivers head to the streets of Townsville to battle it out. Early practise signs showed last weeks winner Slykiwi again dominating the time sheets, with regulars Mitch Keys, Bryce Harding and Kyle George showing pace. Qualifying soon confirmed this, with Slykiwi and Mitch Keys taking out the front row, with Richo, Cameron Ginns and Matthew Pluck rounding out the top 5. Race 1 saw Slykiwi and Mitch Keys get off to a good start, with Matthew Pluck and Bryce Harding jumping from Row 3 up to 3rd and 4th position respectively at the exit of turn 1. Slykiwi and Mitch Keys showed there dominance sprinting off to a commanding lead leaving Matthew Pluck on his own in 3rd. The battle for 4th, 5th and 6th heated up between Bryce Harding, Cameron Ginns and Richo with Harding holding off the challenge of Ginns and Richo for a well earned 4th, followed by Ginns and Richo rounding out the top 6.



Race 2 was again gridded off the finishing results of race 1. Slykiwi and Keys again got off to a good start, however Slykiwi was under pressure from Pluck going into turn 1, with Slykiwi covering the low line and Pluck trying to outbreak on the outside. Slykiwi got off the challenge though which opened up a gap, with Bryce Harding managing to sneak through to second place followed closely by Mitch Keys. Slykiwi raced off into the distance, but the battle between Harding and Keys heated up with the two switching positions near the end, and Keys managing to hold of Hardings challenge for second and third. The battle for fourth also heated up, with Pluck holding off Richo and Ginns for 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

The Feature race of the night saw the top 8 drivers reversed on the

grid, which saw flyers Slykiwi and Keys down on the 4th row for the start. The start proved messy, with cars getting squeezed left right and centre which resulted in half the field being caught up in a major incident. Slykiwi braved the storm getting through to the lead again on the first lap, follow by Pluck in second. Kyle George showed he had pace in the car after weathering the storm at the start and joined in the 3-way battle for second between Pluck and Richo. Mistakes from both Richo and George saw Pluck fit into a safe second a few seconds back from Slykiwi after the pitstops. Damage strewn Keys showed determination to carry on, and after another mistake from Richo saw himself move up to 4th position behind George, with Hayden Kirk and Sam Gray rounding out the top 6

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MIXED BAG ATCHATHAM

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Round 3 of the Go Fast New Zealand V8Factor Unleashed Series took the cars to an unusual short circuit found in Chatham, USA. The track proved fast, with high speed corners and chicanes. Practise showed several drivers to be on the pace, with usual suspects Slykiwi, Bryce Harding and Cameron Ginns up in the top 3, with Keys having car problems which eventually saw him ruled out of the rest of the event. Qualifying saw the first person to knock Slykiwi off the top, with Gisborne driver Bryce Harding taking out pole position, and Matthew Pluck on grid 2. Slykiwi managed P3, with Ginns starting beside him in 4th. Race 1 saw Harding take the start early and Slykiwi and Pluck battling over 2nd place going into Turns 1 and 2, with Slykiwi coming out victorious after Pluck had to back out of the move and ended up in 4th, behind Ginns. Slykiwi looked to have the measure over Harding, before half-spinning exiting the T2 Chicane, and then coming together with Pluck sending the two into the wall and recieving damage. This left the battle at the front between Ginns and Harding. Harding looked to have it under control, before a last lap slip up allowed Ginns through for

the win. Fellow Gisborne driver Liam Clayton came home in 3rd, Myles Thomas in 4th, Joel Murphy 5th and Nick Eichler rounding out the top 6.

Race 2 was a complete reverse grid of race 1 results, which proved to be costly for some drivers, while beneficial for others. Slykiwi soon took to the lead after a bad finish in Race 1 saw him near the front of race 2. Pluck soon followed through passing Jeremy Clarke for second position. Previous race winner Cameron Ginns had mechanical troubles which saw him start a lap down from pitlane, while runner up Bryce Harding got caught up in early race carnage. Joel Murphy battled his way up into the battle for third between himself, Clarke and Vaughn, with Hayden Kirk running comfortably in 6th, before putting himself into the wall. Slykiwi held on to his commanding lead to take the win over Pluck, with Murphy getting the move into 3rd position, Clarke getting a career best 4th, followed by Vaughn in 5th and Harding in 6th.

Race 3 saw the results of Race 1 & 2 combined to set the grid. Joel Murphy


V 8 S U P E R C A R Searned pole position, with Bryce Harding on P2 and Pluck on P3. The start saw Murphy get away to a slow start, allowing Pluck, Slykiwi and Ginns into 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively. The top four showed to all have even pace around the track, with Harding never getting more then .6 of a gap over the following bunch. Pitstops came into factor with the possibility of completely changing the race. Pluck and Harding both showed a well drilled pitstop retaining there positions, meanwhile Ginns and Slykiwi both had problems moving them down the order. Harding then had to hold off a hard charging Pluck, with both cars coming into contact and showing great car control and racing to hold it together. Lap traffic started playing its part, but Harding showed to have his head in the right place this time round and not making a single mistake to take the win over Pluck in second. Murphy made up for his poor start bringing the car home in 3rd, with Nick Eichler, Anton Bowen and Liam Clayton completing the top 6.

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GEORGEROUND




GEORGEGRABSROUNDWIN

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Round 4 of the GoFast Sports V8Factor league headed back to the tracks of Australia, to the racetrack of Barbagallo in Wanneroo, Perth. Round 4 Saw another new winner hit the top spot on the podium in what is shaping up to be a tight battle at the top. Practise continued into the early evening with some drivers upset with the lack of lighting facilities, but Australian driver Richo showed to be getting through hassle free with the fastest time, with Keys, Pluck, George and Harding all chasing in behind. Qualifying the next morning showed some changes in pace, with Hamilton driver Kyle George taking out his first pole position of the season, with Pluck lining up on the outside on 2, and early pacesetters Richo and Keys starting on row 2.

The first race was soon underway, with George fending off an early attempt from Pluck to take the lead, while Richo and Keys scrapped over third. Harding, RevHead and Nick Eichler were left fighting for the minor places after the front four sprinted off to an early lead. Pluck again mounted another attack on George with George shutting the door, forcing an error from Pluck allowing Keys through. Pluck then tried to get his position back on Keys with Keys giving no race room at all and forcing Pluck off the track and half spinning, allowing Richo to mount a last lap attack in what was a close finish. George never looked back, crossing over for the win, with Keys, Pluck and Richo not far behind. Harding and Rev Head completed the minor places picking up 5th and 6th.

Race 2 was a complete reverse grid of the results from race one, in what was a strong 25 car field. With ex Sprintcar speed demon Brodie Kostecki

having a coming together and a mechanical failure in the first race, had the front row and shot off to an early lead. With everyone behind trying to get in front of the people in front of them, cars went 3, 4 and 5 wide into the first corner with some drivers, including Keys, passing along the grass which could of seen penalties from the officials if they saw it. Two drivers who benefited greatly from the reverse grid were Beachy and Hardman, who were up the front behind Kostecki and managed to get a bit of a break early from the rest of the pack. Race 1 winner George arged and barged his way through the field making some enemies on his way, but

showed he wasn’t here to get second charging through the pack. Pluck and Keys followed through the gaps that George created to capitalise on his driving. Kostecki though was gone into the sunset, notching up a very convincing victory, from a hard charging George in second, Pluck third, Beachy in 4th after outbreaking himself on the last lap to let Pluck through, Hardman 5th and Keys 6th.

Race 3 was again a reverse grid, however some drivers were left unsure of what was reversed with some of the grids all over the place. Again though, the drivers at the front benefited early on with the advantage, while the top



drivers were coming through from the back trying to make up ground. With a tap and a spin on the first corner blocking half the track and causing a bit of carnage, drivers who tucked low through the first corner came out well. Drivers from the front, including Richie Nikora, James Selwyn and Sam Gray, among others, looked to try and capitalise on there good starts and break on the main pack to get a bit of a gap. Contact between Eichler, George and “Mad” Marty Brandt saw both Eichler and Brandt have a high speed collision on the front straight which saw the end of their chances in this race. George, Pluck and Keys started making paths through the field, with George again showing his determination of getting through the field using all

four sides of his car to his advantage. Keys and Pluck had another coming together, with Keys again forcing Pluck onto the infield resulting in a small tap pushing Keys to the infield, and then as retaliation Keys sideswiped Pluck putting him out towards the wall on the high speed back straight sending Pluck a few seconds down in time. Pit stops again showed to be important, with Keys leapfrogging George for the lead, and Nikora playing a long pit strategy staying out front and out of trouble until late in the race. After the pitstops, Keys came out the leader fighting off a George trying to chase him down but running out of time. Pluck crossed over home in 3rd, with Richo getting to 4th, Harding in 5th and Go Fast driver Hayden Kirk rounding out the top 6.

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PROCESSOR: INTEL CORE I7-2600 3.4GHZX4 CORE /3.8GHZ TURBO X 4 CORE 8M

MOTHERBOARD: ASUS INTEL Z68 CHIPSET 4X DDR3-2200 SUPPORTS MAX 32G, USB3 & SATA3 RAID CROSSFIREX

GRAPHICS CARD: 1GB ATI HD6850

RAM: 16GB DDR3 1333

CASE: GIGABYTE SUMO ALPHA TOWER

1TB SATA3 HARD DRIVE

8X USB PORTS

COCKPIT: HOMEMADE/WOOD

SEAT: SUBARU LEGACY GT

WHEEL: LOGITECH G27 WITH CUSTOM MOUNTED PEDALS

SPEAKERS: LOGITECH

MOUSE AND KEYBOARD: LOGITECH MK250.

MONITOR: VIEWSONIC 24” LED

SPECIFICATIONS

THIS MONTH WE FEATURE THE RIG OF SAM GRAY. SAM IS A SEASONED VETERAN AT SIM RACING NZ, WITH EXPERIENCE IN SUPERSTOCKS, V8 SUPERCARS, SPRINT CARS AND MIDGETS.


WHEEL: LOGITECH G27

SUBARU SEAT

GAMING PC

24” MONITOR

19

SHERLOCK UNCOVERS WIN


S U P E R S T O C K S

Words: Jamie Hall Photography: Jamie Hall

SHERLOCK UNCOVERS WIN WITH 51 FROM A POSSIBLE 52 POINTS, 6V SHERLOCK

CLAIMED THE WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP

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A record breaking 41 strong field took part in round 9 of the Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series at Oceanview, Wanganui. Two qualifying groups had two races each to produce their top 13 to go through to the main event, the West Coast Championship. Main contenders qualified without issue to progress to the main event which was contested over two 16 lap races with race 2 grids being reverse of race 1 grids.

46n Logan Peat set pole for race 1 after setting the fastest lap time in private qualifying. Peat lead the pack until lap 6 when he was put up the wall and into an unmoving fence

post by a right turning 74r Harley Robb with 23w Keegan Levien assisting from behind. 1nz Cameron Ginns, making his first appearance of the 2012 season, assumed the lead and went on to win the race ahead of 6v Matt Sherlock and 23w Keegan Levien. The format meant these were the top 3 with 26, 25, and 24 points respectively with one race to go.

1nz Cameron Ginns was on grid 22 yet quickly moved up to 12th by turn 3 only to be caught up with a spun 264p Miers and dropped back to 24th. Ginns held off attacks by the likes of 31p Kieren Johansen, 46n Peat, and 16c Azza Humble to work back up to a third placing by

race end. 6v Matt Sherlock survived the first corner from grid 14 and worked his way up to second by lap 10 with preventative action being of use. A clash with lapped traffic resulted in a spin to the infield before re-joining the track in fifth. With the lead pack being slowed up, Sherlock was quickly back up to the front and then in to the lead on the last lap. Lunges by 24gb Richard Skeels and, a corner later, 84r John Nikora connected but did little to stop Sherlock as he raced away to a race two win.

By lap 6, 23w Keegan Levien was up to fifth from a grid 24 start. Any further laps were not recorded as Levien was



treated to a round trip of the wall as 2012 King Country and Gisborne Champion 8g Bryce Harding piled him in to turn 1. Eventually coming to a rest on his roof, Levien lost a potential title win as retribution for putting Harding out of contention for the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Championships the previous week at Meeanee.

With 51 from a possible 52 points, 6v Sherlock claimed the West Coast Championship, narrowly outscoring 1nz Cameron Ginns on 50, and 9h Kyle George on 48.

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CHANGE OF FORTUNE FOR



Words: Jamie Hall Photography: Jamie HallCHANGE OF FORTUNE FORJOHANSEN

JOHANSEN’S FINAL RACE WIN PROPELLED HIM TO THE TOP OF THE POINTS TABLE WITH 8 POINTS TO SPARE

25


The Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series Round 11 saw the running of the Mount Maunganui Championship shared between Old Baypark and 2001 Baypark. 2001 Baypark hosted the first half of the night with all races being 13 laps and Old Baypark following up with 20 lap races. The Mount Maunganui Champion would be the driver with the most points from the three championship races at each track.

46n Logan Peat got the jump off pole for the opening Kiwi Stockcar Challenge race and led 661a Nick Bell-May as they separated from the pack. As the pair reached lapped traffic, Bell-May managed to take over the lead with a couple of laps to go and hold out Peat to take the win. Following this was the first race of the championship and the previously mentioned pair again set the front row grids. Bell-May again came through for the win as 32p Kieran Johansen passed Peat on the last lap to claim second.

Race two was in the hands of 55g Craig Wire until an illegal attack by 92r Jonathan Mason saw Wire out of contention with damage. 3nz Jamie Hall took over the lead and eventually the race win two laps later. Race three was dominated from the green flag till the chequered flag by 9h Kyle George off a grid two start with big moves from the back by Bell-May 27th to 2nd, Johansen 21st to 3rd, and Peat 29th to 4th.

Top three on points after three of the six championship races was Bell-May on 73, Johansen on 69, and George on 66. With racing done at 2001 Baypark, it was off to Old Baypark for another Kiwi Stockcar Challenge race and then the remaining three races of the Mount Maunganui Championship with the laps adjusted from 13 up to 20.

The smaller track width likely shocked some drivers as the first corner alone claimed two roll overs and many other close calls as the lead changed many times but it was eventually the big boy again through for the Kiwi Stockcar Challenge win, Bell-May clocking his third win from five races. George captured race four after taking over the lead on lap eight. Johansen earned his first win of the night by moving up to the lead from grid 14 by lap eight to take the fifth race. Top three on points going in to the sixth and final race was Bell-May on 120, George on 117, and Johansen with 115.

Bell-May’s front end was destroyed by 16c Azza Humble and 7n Michael Kemp finished the job shortly after, leaving Bell-May on his roof. George was dealt rear damage by the likes of Wire and 75a Jeremy Clarke which hampered the remainder of his race, eventually finishing 11th from grid 27. Coming through for the race win was Johansen from grid 14, his second win of the night.

Johansen’s final race win propelled him to the table of the points table with 8 points to spare and as the 2012 Mount Maunganui Champion, gained a place in the Final next month. Peat advanced up to 2nd overall after surviving attacks from Humble along with 74r Harley Robb, 17n Corey Harwood, and 6v Matt Sherlock, not enough to stop Peat from finishing final race in fifth from grid 31. George’s effort to finish despite damage left him equal with Peat so a runoff was in order! Dubbed “the fastest runoff ever”, George won the fairly non-eventful runoff for second overall in the Mount Maunganui Championship.



WWW.GOFASTSPORTS.CO.NZ



MATHEW GREEKS EMERGED THE MANAWATU CHAMPION AT PALMERSTON NORTH

SPEEDWAY, HOME OF SUPERSTOCK ROLLING STARTS, AFTER EASING THROUGH A TWO

GROUP TWO HEAT EACH QUALIFYING FOR THE 20 LAP WINNER TAKES ALL FINAL.

GO FAST GREEKS


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A showing of 38 drivers for round 11 of the Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series at the popular track saw a change from the usual three heat championship with the field split in to two groups following the Kiwi Stockcar Challenge, won by 1nz Cameron Ginns. Groups were decided by private qualifying with odds forming one group and even placers the other. Each driver had two heats, with race 2 grids being a reverse of race 1 grids, in their group to make it to the top 13 to get in to the final.

Group wins were collected by 311a Shaun Kingi, 46n Logan Peat, and 1nz Ginns. The latter picking up two wins, bringing his total to three wins from three races having won the Kiwi Stockcar Challenge earlier. This resulted in 1nz Ginns forming the front row of the winner takes all 20 lap final with 46n Peat. Noteable non-qualifiers were former KSR New Zealand Champion 51n Matt Pluck, issues continuing with 7n Michael Kemp, as well as 48g Vaughn Hutton.

1nz Ginns unsurprisingly took the lead off the pole start with the green light signalling the beginning of the longest lead of the race at

six laps. He went a couple of positions back in the field once the pack hit lap traffic but made a short come back later in the race to lead a further two laps before being colliding with a spun 21p Adam Ireland. 9h Kyle George also had a taste of the race leader pie before tussling with 8g Bryce Harding. 311a Shaun Kingi clocking a brief two lap lead thanks to 21p Ireland and 55g Craig Wire. Eventual race winner 59g Greeks had a stint at the front in the first half of the race before being taken off the end of the straight by rookie Anthony Robinson and it wasn’t until the last lap that he reemerged at the pointy end.

Big moves in to the top 10 came from 661a Nick Bell-May, finishing 6th from grid 19, and 3nz Jamie Hall 3rd from grid 15, largely thanks to last lap carnage. The effects of tyre wear kicked in as the race progressed so any attempts at knocking over the lap record set by Vincent Mortimer, a 17.4178 on 9th October 2011, needed to occur in the opening laps. 1nz Ginns was the fastest of the race but no where near the lap record with a 17.5309.



The round was also the final round of the North Island Championship Series, points from the group heats and final all contributing to the final tally. 8g Harding’s large lead going in to the round was shortened but was enough for him to remain the leader and so the winner of the longest points collecting New

Zealand series of the 2012 season. Joining him in the top five were 59g Greeks, 84b Corey Blunsdon, 391gb Ayrton Smith, and 48g Hutton respectively. As the top five qualified for the Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series Final, the latter three finally secured their placing.

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GINNS SECURES FINALS POSITIONWords: Jamie Hall Photography: Jamie Hall

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Making his first appearance of the 2012 season a few weeks ago, 1nz Cameron Ginns finally secured his placing in the Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series Final by taking out the Canterbury Championship at Woodford Glen, the round contested by 40 drivers.

Following private qualifying, the 16 lap Kiwi Stockcar Challenge started off the race schedule with the biggest field of the night with 30 drivers. The top 10 in the North Island Championship Series could not compete in this race. 1nz Ginns set the fastest time in private qualifying with a 18.2974 so he was on pole for the KSC, beside 51n Matt Pluck who set the second fastest time in private qualifying, a 18.4036. 1nz Ginns was taken out of the lead just before lap 8 when he was rolled by 3p Daniel Huia. 51n Pluck went backwards after a spin by 5k Taylor Patene but made his way back up to 2nd. He ran out of laps in which to chase down 21p Adam Ireland though, who secured the race win after rolling 5k Patene in their battle for the lead on the last lap. Despite failing to show, 311a Nick Bell-May retains the series lead going into the final round at Nelson which will also exclude the top 10 South Island Championship Series drivers.

The field was split in to two groups according to the private qualifying session at the start of the night with odd placers forming one group and even placers forming the second group. Each group had two races of thirteen laps to collect points with the second race grids being a reverse of the first race’s grids. Race wins went to 1nz Ginns, 6v Matt Sherlock, 51n Pluck, and 55r Harley Robb. The top 13 from each group went through to the final three races with notable drivers not scoring enough points being 2nz Hayden Kirk, 7g Liam Clayton, 35w Peter May, and 55g Craig Wire.

With the 26 strong finals field determined, a second private qualifying session was run to determine grids for race 1; race 2 and 3 being SNZ championship format. The driver with the most points from these three finals races would be crowned the 2012 Canterbury Champion, a significant achievement given all the racing taking place in the single round. 8g Bryce Harding’s 18.2127 put him on pole for race 1, 1nz Ginns’ 18.2889 securing grid 2. 8g Harding’s encounters with 3p Huia and 84b Corey Blunsdon through out the race prevented a win, finishing third. 1nz Ginns also experienced driving issues with 3p Huia but it was an accidental clash with a damaged 31p Kieren Johansen that sent him down

to a sixth placing. 55r Robb came through from grid 11 to pick up the win. Race 2 saw 1nz Ginns pick up his third win of the night having started from grid 15. On points with one race to go was 51n Pluck and 1nz Ginns tied on 48, 9h Kyle George 44, and 55r Robb 42.

51n Pluck finished 10th after battling through out the race with 46h Josh Humble and others. 1nz Ginns finished second, largely unaffected as he picked through traffic. 9h George placed 8th, barely surviving the attention of 391gb Ayrton Smith. Aside from a last corner encounter with 51n Pluck, 55r Robb went on to win the third and final race with ease. Topping points was 1nz Ginns on 73, 55r Robb on 68, and a tie for third between 51n Pluck and 3nz Jamie Hall with 65 points. The runoff for third overall was reasonably close until an attack by 51n Pluck on lap 4 caused him to spin, 3nz Hall racing away. 51n Pluck waited on the final corner to put in blocking attempts but these were fruitless as 3nz Hall took home the win.

35 TOP OF THE SOUTH CLASH

TOP OF THE SOUTH CLASH



Words: Jamie Hall Photography: Jamie HallTOP OF THE SOUTH CLASH

TOP OF THE SOUTH CLASH

37

The Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series completed its South Island tour in Nelson for the Top of the South Championship and the remainder of the South Island Championship Series. Local 7n Michael Kemp collected the Top of the South title with 75 points out of a possible 78, finishing the night with 5 podiums from 6 race starts.

41 drivers, one more than the previous week, and the highest amount in the series so far, required the same format used at the Canterbury Championship. Following the Kiwi Stockcar Challenge won by 99b Tony Drake, the field was split in to two groups which had two heats each to determine their respective top 13 to go through to the final 3 races. 46w Keegan Levien, 1nz Cameron Ginns, 84b Corey Blunsdon, and 31p Kieren Johansen picked up the wins in these qualifying races.

The final three races points would determine the Top of the South Champion and it was 115w Sam Gray who collected the opening race win. Following up was 7n Kemp dominating race two and then 3nz Jamie Hall taking out the third and final race. The top points order going into race three emerged out of the carnage mostly the same. An exception to this was 115w Sam Gray whose only recorded lap for the race was the formation lap as he sent out of the race upside down on the opening turn shortly after the green light lit thanks to 46h Josh Humble. 7n Kemp topped the table with 75 points, 391gb Ayrton Smith placed second with 67, and rookie 5k Taylor Patene rounded out the top 3 with a 66 point taking.


DRIVERS QUALIFIED FOR THE FINAL AT HUNTLY AFTER THIS ROUND:

Top of the South Champion - 7n Michael “tigers_fan” Kemp

South Island Championship Series 1st - 9h Kyle George

South Island Championship Series 2nd - 3nz Jamie “The Game” Hall

South Island Championship Series 3rd - 55r Harley “KDSR_Harley” Robb

South Island Championship Series 4th - 1nz Cameron “Stockie Nz” Ginns

South Island Championship Series 5th - 264p Mika “Mika 264” Smith

Kiwi Stockcar Challenge Champion - 46h Josh “HumbleRacing” Humble


39

2012NEW ZEALANDCHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

OFFICIAL PROGRAMME


NUMBER OF REGISTERED DRIVERS: 100NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PARTICIPANTS: 85SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PARTICIPANTS: 45

KIWI STOCKCAR CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS: 79HIGHEST ROUND ATTENDANCE: 41 (TOP OF THE SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 13)

ROUND ATTENDANCE AVERAGE: 35

NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 17NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS: 11MOST CHAMPIONSHIP WINS: BUDDIE (4)

NUMBER OF RACES: 85NUMBER OF RACE WINNERS: 30

MOST RACE WINS: BUDDIE & NICK BELL-MAY (10)

NUMBER OF CLUBS: 16BIGGEST CLUB: ROTORUA (13)

MOST RACE WINS: AUCKLAND (15)

FACT SHEET

7:00PM 9TH MAY 2012

6 LAPS PRIVATE QUALIFYING

3 RACES OF 16 LAPS WITH SNZ CHAMPIONSHIP GRID FORMAT AND RACE 1 GRIDS IN ORDER OF FASTEST TO SLOWEST QUALIFIER

TOP 8 DRIVERS ON POINTS QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL

5 LAP RUN-OFF RACES IF REQUIRED

8:00PM 16TH MAY 2012

6 LAPS PRIVATE QUALIFYING FOR REPECHAGE DRIVERS

16 LAP REPECHAGE WITH GRIDS IN ORDER OF FASTEST TO SLOWEST QUALIFIER REPECHAGE WINNER QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL

6 LAPS PRIVATE QUALIFYING FOR FINAL DRIVERS

3 RACES OF 16 LAPS WITH SNZ CHAMPIONSHIP GRID FORMAT AND RACE 1 GRIDS IN ORDER OF FASTEST TO SLOWEST QUALIFIER

5 LAP RUN-OFF RACES IF REQUIRED TOP ON POINTS IS THE 2012 GO FAST NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

FINAL WINNER AND IS AWARDED 1NZ

RACE PROGRAMME

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The 2012 Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series kicked off in Auckland, the traditional hosts of the series opener, with Waikaraka Park and Western Springs both running 3 races towards the Auckland Championship. 32 drivers took part through out the 8 race night and it was 2nz Hayden Kirk who eventually emerged at the top, just 1 point ahead of 48g Vaughn Hutton, and former Kiwi Sim Racing New Zealand Champion 51n Matt Pluck back a further 10 points in third.

Round 2 at Huntly for the Waikato Championship attracted 38 drivers. The field was split in to two groups which had two heats each to determine the top 13 drivers of each group to go through to the one race winner takes all final. In the final, 46n Logan Peat initially went backwards from grid 4 on the start but battled through to the front, setting the fastest lap of the race, and reaching the lead with just 3 laps to go. Peat successfully held off 58p Corey Blunsdon to become the Waikato Champion as well as setting the new superstock lap record with a 16.2225, smashing the 16.384 set by Blunsdon last February at the 2011 Waikato Championship.

Kiwi Superstocks were in King Country for round 3 and Kihikihi’s King Country Championship. 34 drivers took part in the second of three dual-track rounds throughout the Go Fast series. In use was both the 2008 and 2010 configuration of Kihikihi with the latter hosting the sprint segment (13 laps) and the former the endurance races (20 laps) in the second half of the night. Bryce Harding continued his form in the Go Fast series notching up another 3 wins and bringing his total to 6 wins from 15 race starts. His efforts saw him pick up his

first championship of the 2012 season and a qualifier spot in the New Zealand Championship Series Final.

By topping the table at Stratford for the Taranaki Championship, 46n Logan Peat became the first driver to win more than two championships in the 2012 Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series. Peat started the night off with a win in the opening race of the Taranaki Championship. A sixth and second sealed the deal for the Nelson driver who strategically moved through the field from a back grid in the final race and was mostly untouched on the way to the championship win.

34 drivers turned up to Paradise Valley Raceway for the Ray Channing Memorial/Bay of Plenty Championship. Following the salute of the late Ray Channing who perished two weeks earlier in real life racing at Huntly Speedway, the night kicked off with the Kiwi Stockcar Challenge which had 89r Ray Channing on pole. Pressure was on with just the top 10 of the 21 strong grid joining the top 10 of the North Island Championship Series for the Bay of Plenty Championship. Once the main event was under way, 51n Pluck was top on points going in to race 3 and went on to record a race 3 4th placing to become the Bay of Plenty Champion.

The 35-strong Kiwi Superstock contingent were in Te Marua for round 6 and the Wellington Championship with the round also marking the start of the second half of the North Island Championship Series. After race 2, 9h Kyle George was top on points with defending Wellington Champion 74r Harley Robb. 391gb Ayrton Smith sat in third, just 3 points down. In race 3, the unique Te Marua wall claimed

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY


both series and round runners. Emerging from the carnage was 59g Mathew Greeks with a 4 point lead earning him the Wellington Championship.

Round 7’s Gisborne Championship saw defending champion Harley Robb having a poor night throughout, failing to successfully defend his title as 35 drivers took to the track. The championship also formed one half of the East Coast Championship, won by Ayrton Smith last season, with the second half being the Hawke’s Bay Championship at Meeanee the following week. Home track hero 8g Bryce Harding clocked up two seconds before slipping through the field mostly unopposed in the final race to win the Gisborne Championship.

Round 8 was at the home track of 84b Corey Blunsdon, Meeanee. 31 drivers were at the track to contest the Hawke’s Bay Championship and the second half of the East Coast Championship. Despite being yet to win an event in the series, Blunsdon was in mostly good form leading up to the night with previous rounds championship placings including two seconds, a fourth, and a fifth. However, championship win hopes were dashed on just lap 2 of the opening race as Blunsdon’s car came to a rest. With 51 of a possible 52 points after race 2, 46n Peat was on the back row of a 30 strong field but by the end of the opening lap, was up to 18th. Progress slowed down after this with the attention of several drivers on his way to 13th. This was enough points for Peat to gain both the Hawke’s Bay Championship and the East Coast Championship.

A record breaking 41 strong field took part in round 9 at Oceanview, Wanganui. Two qualifying groups had two races each to produce their top 13 to go through to the main event, the West Coast Championship. Main contenders qualified without issue to progress to the main event which was contested over two 16 lap races with race 2 grids being reverse of race 1 grids. With 51 from a possible 52 points, 6v Sherlock claimed the West Coast Championship, narrowly outscoring 1nz Cameron Ginns on 50, and 9h Kyle George on 48.

Round 11 saw the running of the Mount Maunganui Championship shared between Old Baypark and 2001 Baypark. 2001 Baypark hosted the first half of the night with all races being 13 laps and Old Baypark following up with 20 lap races. The Mount Maunganui Champion would be the driver with the most points from the three championship races at each track. 31p Kieren Johansen’s final race win propelled him to the table of the points table with 8 points to spare and as the 2012 Mount Maunganui Champion, gained a place in the Final. 46n Logan Peat advanced up to 2nd overall after surviving attacks from 46h Josh Humble along with 74r Harley Robb, 17n Corey Harwood, and 6v Matt Sherlock, not

enough to stop 46n Peat from finishing final race in fifth from grid 31. 9h Kyle George’s effort to finish despite damage left him equal with 46n Peat so a runoff was in order! Dubbed “the fastest runoff ever”, 9h George won the fairly non-eventful runoff for second overall in the Mount Maunganui Championship.

A showing of 38 drivers for round 11 at the popular track saw a change from the usual three heat championship with the field split in to two groups following the Kiwi Stockcar Challenge, won by 1nz Cameron Ginns. Groups were decided by private qualifying with odds forming one group and even placers the other. Each driver had two heats, with race 2 grids being a reverse of race 1 grids, in their group to make it to the top 13 to get in to the final. 59g Mathew Greeks emerged the Manawatu Champion at Palmerston North Speedway, home of superstock rolling starts, after easing through a two group two heat each qualifying for the 20 lap winner takes all final.

The round was also the final round of the North Island Championship Series, points from the group heats and final all contributing to the final tally. 8g Harding’s large lead going in to the round was shortened but was enough for him to remain the leader and so the winner of the longest points collecting New Zealand series of the 2012 season. Joining him in the top five were 59g Greeks, 84b Corey Blunsdon, 391gb Ayrton Smith, and 48g Hutton respectively. As the top five qualified for the Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series Final, the latter three finally secured their placing.

Making his first appearance of the 2012 season a few weeks earlier, 1nz Cameron Ginns finally secured his placing in the Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series Final by taking out the Canterbury Championship at Woodford Glen, the round contested by 40 drivers. Topping points was 1nz Ginns on 73, 55r Harley Robb on 68, and a tie for third between 51n Matthew Pluck and 3nz Jamie Hall with 65 points. The runoff for third overall was reasonably close until an attack by 51n Pluck on lap 4 caused him to spin, 3nz Hall racing away. 51n Pluck waited on the final corner to put in blocking attempts but these were fruitless as 3nz Hall took home the win.

The Go Fast New Zealand Championship Series completed its South Island tour in Nelson for the Top of the South Championship and the remainder of the South Island Championship Series. Local 7n Michael Kemp collected the Top of the South title with 75 points out of a possible 78, finishing the night with 5 podiums from 6 race starts. Also qualifying for the Final in this round were 9h Kyle George, 3nz Jamie Hall, 55r Harley Robb, 264p Mika Smith by placing in the top 5 of the South Island Championship Series along with 46h Josh Humble who won the Kiwi Stockcar Challenge series.

43

The first ever Kiwi Superstock series in the world, the New Zealand Championship Series, debuted as the “Kiwi Stockcar Series” hosted by Kiwi Dirt Sim Racing on August 8th 2009 thanks to the efforts of Riki Waho. The much anticipated Kiwi Superstocks mod had been released just two weeks earlier by Dirt Shop Creations Inc and Kiwi Sim Racing. The series featured 12 rounds with racing at all the New Zealands tracks available at the time. Weekly club titles were distributed amongst multiple drivers with Harm collecting 5, Ethan Cooke 2, and Adam Munro, Shane Gray, Craig Baker, Bryce Harding, and James Selwyn with 1 each. Josh Harm dominated racing, clocking up 10 wins and 25 podiums from 48 race starts. Harm won both the North Island Championship Series and the New Zealand Championship Series but missed one of the South Island Championship rounds allowing Jamie Hall to break through to add the South Island Championship Series to his name.

The 2010 running of the New Zealand Championship Series was unique in that series officials Hayden Kirk and Riki Waho implemented no full contact as well as running tracks at in the bottom half of the North Island with the two South Island tracks for the “Southern”, as it was called at the time, Championship Series. The previous years winner, Josh Harm, was no longer able to commit to racing but unfortunately for developing drivers, Cameron Ginns made his return after a two year break. Jamie Hall ended up winning both the North, South, and New Zealand Championship series with 12 wins and 28 podiums. Cameron Ginns placed third in the North and second in the South and New Zealands. Ethan Cook’s attendance rate put him out of contention for series wins but he did earn 13 wins and 18 podiums to go with his second in the North series. Weekly club titles were claimed by just the three mentioned drivers with Hall winning 8 titles, Cook 3, and Ginns 1.

HISTORY OF NZ SERIES


2011 saw the inclusion of Western Springs, 2010 Kihikihi, 2001 Baypark, and Te Marua to the series schedule. Harley Robb progressed from the previous seasons mid card to the top and won the North Island Championship Series ahead of Jamie Hall. Jamie Hall went one further to win the South Island Championship Series for the third year in a row. Unlike the previous two runnings, the New Zealand Championship Series winner was decided by a 1 night “Final” and also awarded the first ever Kiwi Dirt Sim Racing Kiwi Superstocks 1nz, 2nz, and 3nz. Cameron Ginns conquered Paradise Valley Raceway and the stacked field to become the 2011 New Zealand Champion. Hayden Kirk was the new 2nz and Jamie Hall the new 3nz. The weekly club titles had 9 different winners with the multiple title gainers being Jamie Hall with 4, Harley Robb 2, and Ayrton Smith 2.

And so we arrive to the current season. The biggest Kiwi Superstock series in history returns

with its fourth running and the first to be hosted by Sim Racing New Zealand. 21 titles are up for grabs by individuals and clubs including Island champions and of course the series final which crowns the 2012 New Zealand Champion, a feat attempted by over 100 drivers in its history. Traditionally, these titles are collected by the few dominants of the season with 16 drivers winning the 50 individual titles collectively run over the previous three runnings of the New Zealand Championship Series. Just 7 of these 16 drivers have won more than 1 of the 50 individual titles. However, several younger up and coming drivers landed on the podium through out the second half of the 2011 season in the Royal Rampage, New Zealand Spring Series, and the Shootout. These drivers returning plus more up and comers as well as drivers coming over from Kiwi Sim Racing mean this series looks set to be the most competitive yet.

45

LOCATION: ROTORUA

AGE: 19

CHASSIS: REES

ENGINE: TOYOTA V8

SPONSORS: DRIFT KARTZ, GO FAST, FRANK ALLEN TYRES

3NZ JAMIE “THE GAME” HALL PROFILE

LOCATION: DUNEDIN

AGE: 23

CHASSIS: KURIGER

ENGINE: TOYOTA V8

SPONSORS: GO FAST

2NZ HAYDEN KIRK PROFILE

LOCATION: GISBOURNE

AGE: 19

CHASSIS: TOP GEAR

ENGINE: TOYOTA V8

SPONSORS: CASIO G-SHOCK, TOPGEAR, TUI

8G BRYCE “HARDING JR” HARDING PROFILE

LOCATION: WELLINGTON

AGE: 20

CHASSIS: REES

ENGINE: CHEVROLET

SPONSORS: BEST BUD, SAM GRAY DESIGNS, KFC

1NZ CAMERON “STOCKIE NZ” GINNS PROFILE


LOCATION: CHRISTCHURCH

AGE: 20

CHASSIS: HIGGINS

ENGINE: CHEVROLET

SPONSORS: IFT N SHIFT, CRC NZ, GO FAST, METALLICA

51N MATT “BULL” PLUCK PROFILE

LOCATION: GISBOURNE

AGE: 15

CHASSIS: BULLET

ENGINE: NISSAN V8

SPONSORS: MSD IGNITIONS, TUI, TENGTOOLS, K&N

59G MATHEW GREEKS PROFILE

LOCATION: HAMILTON

AGE: 16

CHASSIS: GORDGE

ENGINE: HARTLEY V8

SPONSORS: SHOT360, PETE’S AUTO ELECTRICAL

46 JOSH “HUMBLERACIN” HUMBLE PROFILE

LOCATION: HAMILTON

AGE: 19

CHASSIS: GORDGE

ENGINE: TOYOTA V8

SPONSORS: KYLE GEORGE RACING, GOPRO

9H KYLE GEORGE PROFILE

47

Come May 30th 2012, all drivers with new cars will have the chance to dirty them in the second running of the Royal Rampage with all eight rounds making use of all existing rFactor UK shale tracks, all within

England. Tracks span from 285 metres up to 410 metres and are lined by walls for some tracks and nasty wire & post for others. Added on to the tour second time around are Sheffield and Conventry, fantasy

track Wedgeway no longer featuring.

Individual racing will consist of points gathered from all rounds, the final or feature of each round being the most rewarding by using a multiplied tenfold version of the FIA points system used by many classes

including Forumla One and the World Rally Championship. The stipulations of each rounds final will vary like the previous runnings Knights Challenge. Also returning are the gradings, noobs starting 1/4 lap

ahead of the intermediates and a further 1/4 lap back sit the pros.

Each week will also include teams racing using that weeks particular individual racing track. The points system will be of that used in real life teams racing although round and series formats will be

determined once registration has closed and the amount of teams is determined.

Last years series was claimed by Ayrton “Smithers 164” Smith with brother Mika “Mika 264” Smith trailing in second. Despite Ayrtons clear series win, round wins were shared between Ayrton, Mika, Kieren

“Fangin-It” Johansen, Matt Sherlock, Keegan “Kamakazi” Levien, and Cameron “Stockie Nz” Ginns. Ginns being the only driver to pick up multiple round wins, a grand total of two attached to his name.

Good luck to all drivers who join Sim Racing New Zealand Kiwi Superstocks for the 2012 Royal Rampage!

E V E N T P R E V I E W


LOCATION: TARANAKI

AGE: 19

CHASSIS: GORDGE

ENGINE: TOYOTA V8

SPONSORS: SIGNITUP, PITSTOP, VALVOLINE

31P KIEREN “FANGINIT” JOHANSEN PROFILE

LOCATION: PALMY

AGE: 16

CHASSIS: KEV SMITH

ENGINE: CHEVROLET

SPONSORS: TENG TOOLS, MILLERS OILS, GOODWINS

391GB AYRTON “SMITHERS 164” PROFILE

LOCATION: NAPIER

AGE: 17

CHASSIS: GORDGE

ENGINE: NISSAN V8

SPONSORS: SIGNITUP, MAG AND TURBO

84B COREY “NUTTER” BLUNSDON PROFILE

LOCATION: HAMILTON

AGE: 16

CHASSIS: TANK

ENGINE: TOYOTA V8

SPONSORS: GOPRO, METALMAN

46N LOGAN “BUDDIE” PEAT PROFILE

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LOCATION: NELSON

AGE: 25

CHASSIS: GORDGE

ENGINE: CHEV V8

SPONSORS: PRO KARTS, DESIGN ART

7N MICHAEL “TIGERS_FAN” KEMP PROFILE

LOCATION: PALMY

AGE: 14

CHASSIS: TANK

ENGINE: CHEVROLET

SPONSORS: KIWI CAPTURE IT, TENG TOOLS

264GB MIKA “MIKA 264” SMITH PROFILE

LOCATION: CHRISTCHURCH

AGE: 15

CHASSIS: GORDGE

ENGINE: NISSAN V8

SPONSORS: METALMAN, GOFAST, MONSTER

6V MATT SHERLOCK PROFILE

LOCATION: GISBORNE

AGE: 17

CHASSIS: FWJ

ENGINE: NISSAN V8

SPONSORS: LANDMARK HOMES

48G VAUGHN “HOLDEN” HUTTON PROFILE


QUALIFIERS DRIVERAUCKLAND CHAMPION HAYDEN KIRKWAIKATO CHAMPION BUDDIEKING COUNTRY CHAMPION HARDING JRTARANAKI CHAMPION BUDDIEBAY OF PLENTY CHAMPION BULLWELLINGTON CHAMPION MATHEW GREEKSGISBORNE CHAMPION HARDING JRHAWKES BAY CHAMPION BUDDIEEAST COAST CHAMPION BUDDIEWEST COAST CHAMPION MATT SHERLOCKMOUNT MAUNGANUI CHAMPION FANGIN-ITMANAWATU CHAMPION MATHEW GREEKSNORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 1ST HARDING JRNORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 2ND MATHEW GREEKSNORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 3RD NUTTER84NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 4TH SMITHERS 164NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 5TH HOLDENVAUGHNCANTERBURY CHAMPION STOCKIE NZTOP OF THE SOUTH CHAMPION TIGERS_FANSOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 1ST KYLE GEORGESOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 2ND THE GAMESOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 3RD KDSR_HARLEYSOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 4TH STOCKIE NZSOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 5TH MIKA 264KIWI STOCKCAR CHALLENGE CHAMPION HUMBLERACINGQUALIFYING 1STQUALIFYING 2NDQUALIFYING 3RDQUALIFYING 4THQUALIFYING 5THQUALIFYING 6THQUALIFYING 7THQUALIFYING 8THREPECHAGE WINNER

RESERVESREPECHAGE 2NDREPECHAGE 3RD

NZ CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FINAL


M I D G E T S

Words: Mitch Keys Photography: Mitch Keys

53

Boone Speedway was the setting for Round 6 of the 2012 Midget Super Series presented by Go Fast. The sticky 1/4 was prepared for battle, with a lower car count than expected. Word was that most of the cars were on their way to Australia for the upcoming round at Speedway City.

In time trials it was Mitch Keys putting on a clinic, timing in over a tenth quicker than Mitch Harris. Then Matt Sherlock, Jason Roach, Patrick Jeffries rounded out the top 5.

The heats were split and run odds and evens off qualifying. Khan Hema had very good form in his heats, giving him enough points to start the A-Main off pole, with point leader Mitch Keys starting outside front row.

Hema got off to a flying start, pulling a small gap to Keys who struggled with his car early. Mitch Harris started deep, but made his intentions early that he hadn’t given up hope. He was charging, and charging fast. As the race settled it was still Hema leading Keys. Keys’ car slowly came to him and he began to reel in the 88 of Khan Hema.

Keys moved up the racetrack and found some drive that would propel him into the lead, and would slot Hema back to 2nd. Mitch Harris had now made his move to 3rd, and was pulling in the leaders.

As Keys pulled away from the field, Hema began to fall back, falling into the clutches of Joel Murphy, who was putting in a very impressive drive.

At the checkers it was Mitch Keys taking the win over Mitch Harris, Joel Murphy, Khan Hema and Michael Bulliman.

The series now heads all the way to Australia, for Round 7 which is to be held at Speedway City. The racing should be excited, with a newly configured venue!


M I D G E T SM I D G E T S


M I D G E T S


57

Round 7 of the 2012 Midget Super Series was held at Speedway City. This would be the Midgets first trip outside of the USA. The race track was in decent shape, with a wide surface for racing. The track was however dry slick, and the fastest way around was right up on the fence.

Time trials were headed by Hayden Kirk, who was closely followed by Smithers, Daniel Huia, Christopher Bell and Kevin J Holley. The heats would be split odds and evens, with the feature being lined up fastest off the rear.

The heat racing kicked off with the first set of heats being lined up from Time Trials. Both races were fairly one lane with not a lot of passing. However this was not the case for the next set of heats. The grid was inverted from the Heat 1 finishes, and the racing did not disappoint. At times it was a 5 car battle for the lead, with sliders and crossovers happening regularly.

Highest on points after the heats was Christopher Bell. With the format for the feature being fastest off the rear, this meant Bell would be starting deep, and would also mean some less fortunate drivers would have a shot at the win.

The feature got off to a crazy start. There were cars literally everywhere dicing all over the racetrack. Early on there were incidents with a number of top drivers, ending their night abruptly.

Mid race and we found Jamie Hall in the lead. Jamie is a seasoned veteran in the Superstock ranks, and rarely dips into the open wheel categories. However he was showing he had the goods to get the job done in a midget posting very consistent clean laps and keeping his nose clean.

Chris Bell had struggled to stay out of trouble and ended his night early. A battle was raging between Mitch Harris and Smithers. Harris was doing all he could to hold Smithers off, but Smithers would eventually get the upper hand. Behind them, American Beau Breunig and young Australian Brodie Kostecki.


Points leader Mitch Keys had avoided most of the chaos and had moved his way up to a solid 6th, with series contender Khan Hema in 7th.

At the checkers it was Jamie Hall holding off Smithers to take his maiden win in the 2012 Midget Super Series. In a close 3rd was Mitch Harris, then Beau Breunig and Brodie Kostecki.

Round 8 will mark the series finale. Kihikihi is the location, and is set to be a great nights action. The kihikihi track crew always do a great job, and the nature of the racetrack always provides great action.

M I D G E T S


M I D G E T S


61

After Seven rounds of Midget Car racing, the Midget Super Series headed to Kihikihi Speedway. Plenty was on the line, being the final round of the Championship with the winner receiving a prize courtesy of Go Fast Energy.

The Series contenders heading into the Finale we Khan Hema, Smithers and Mitch Keys. Keys held a slender 7 point lead, so one mistake and the series could be given away. The track was in perfect condition, with a high and low groove meaning the winner would be earning it.

Time trials were headed by the young Aussy of Brodie Kostecki. Brodie seemed to have the dominant car hotlapping and qualifying a good few tenths over the field. With a smaller car count than expected, all the cars were run in 4 12 lap heat races. The results of the previous heat would be inverted for the next heat.

The heat races were dominated by Kostecki and in turn was high point scorer heading into the A-Main. A unique twist to the format meant Brodie would be starting dead last, with him choosing who he would start beside him.

The feature rolled off with 40 laps the distance. The track was in near perfect condition, and the drivers were ready to put on a show. Khan Hema had managed to sneak


M I D G E T S

relatively low under the radar in the grid draw, and took the early lead. Meanwhile the series battle between Smithers and Mitch Keys raged on with Keys races Smithers for position.

Brodie Kostecki was caught up in an unfortunate early race incident and had that bit between his teeth as he made he way back through the field. Keys had the top line dialed in, and was now chasing Hema down for the lead.

Mid race and Keys had worked his way around Hema with Kosteki following suit. The pair would run away and finish 1-2. Third was Hema, from Jamie Hall and Michael Bulliman.

Mitch Keys took home the Series win, along with a tray of Go Fast. The random draw of Go Fast went out to Jason Roach, who steadily improved over the series.

1ST MITCH KEYS

2ND SMITHERS 164

3RD KHAN HEMA

4TH MICHAEL BULLIMAN

5TH JOEL MURPHY

6TH HAYDEN KIRK

7TH PATRICK JEFFRIES

8TH JASON ROACH

9TH CHRIS BELL

10TH MATTHEW PLUCK FIN

AL

STA

ND

ING

S

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Words: Sam Gray Photography: Sam Gray

TTR INVADE THE STREETS OF HAMILTON



Words: Sam Gray Photography: Sam Gray

TTR INVADE THE STREETS OF HAMILTON

65

SimRacingNZ Drivers Vaughn Hutton, Mathew Greeks and Sam Gray Joined the Trans Tasman Rival drivers as last minute fill ins for Rick Kelly, Craig Lowndes and Shane Van Gisbergen at the 2012 Hamilton 400,

With a huge field of 20 drivers from around New Zealand and Australia, the open Qualifying session around the tight little street circuit was tough,

But after a few laps, we were well down compared to the Professional drivers; Vaughn Hutton was our highest placing driver on 11th With a time of 1,22.152

Followed by the best of the rest, Mathew Greeks 17th Who did a 1,23.071 And closely behind him, Sam Gray who placed 18th With a 1,23.098.

Ahead was a 28 lap enduro around one of the tightest tracks on the V8 Supercar calendar,

While on grid Hutton reported his concerns for cold tyres, but on the green light he got away only to find a spun car in his path and a row of cars behind which resulted in the 15 being spun and sent to the back off the pack,

Once the carnage had unfolded, everything was back on track with the rest of the field sprinting to turn 2 which surprisingly no incidents were reported to race control.

Mean while further down the order,Matthew Greeks jumped at Huttons Misfortune by passing a few slower cars putting him into a top 15 position by turn 4 While SRNZ Ace Sam Gray was making his way up from the rear of the field, once lap 1 was completed, Hutton was currently in 19th place with Gray in 17th and Greeks in 15th.



Once lap 5 was completed it was becoming clear the race would come down to had the best strategy during the race, the 1st pit stop of the race was made by Gray on lap 10 who was on the verge of running dry, after a whopping 9 second stop the ace was back out on track and picking his way back through the pack with a full tank of fuel and a new set of soft’s.

On lap 15 the Turn 1 Wall finally had some action with Hutton who was side by side with Gray forgot he was on cold tyres and over shot his braking point hitting the wall and stopping him for a few seconds,2 laps later the young shot was forced to retire to the pits with a mechanical fault caused from the head on.

With the laps winding down and most drivers finishing there 2nd pit stop, Sam Gray was dealt a huge blow who was racing for position just outside the top 10, the ace ‘s brake pads were out of lining which made slowing down for the pits a problem, and was caught over the speed limit of 39kph and was served a stop go penalty which damaged his chances of a top 10 finish, once the stop was completed with 3 laps to go Gray was moving through the pits with race leaders Pod253 and TTR_Benny followed by Racer69, once out of pit lane, Gray reeled in 3rd placed Racer69 and the pair swapped paint and passed a few cars who had either

crashed or had mechanical failures, one of which was SRNZ’s top hope of a top 10 finish, Greeks in the 888 car had pushed his rear tyres over their limit and they blew down entering turn 3 allowing Gray to jump up a couple of spots,

When the Chequered flag was dropped, the #9 of Sam Gray crossed the line in 11th 2 laps down, with Greeks and Hutton both being classed as DNF’s

Once the dust and smoke had settled, it was announced that Pod253 was the winner of heat 1, Followed by TTR_Benny and Racer69 in 3rd,

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BEHIND THE SCENES IN THE SBR GARAGEKYLE GEORGE ON THE MOBIL 1 SIMULATOR

MIKE + DAN HANGING OUT AT THE HAMILTON 400

HAMILTON 40020 - 22 APRIL 2012

W H E R E W E W E R E

Sim Racing NZ Rundown May 2012

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