Auckland Monthly Drive - Pukekohe Race Track

3 May 1998

The May monthly run unfortunately clashed with the Escort Car club's dual sprints but once the shock of possibly having to cancel an event was overcome, common sense prevailed and a compromise was reached (That's why we have a committee). The Monthly run would go from our normal meeting point at Mt Eden to the Pukekohe racetrack.

The racing started at 8 or 9 in the morning which was way to early for a Sunday so those who were spectating met at Mt Eden at the more sociable hour of 11am. Myself, Mike, Matt and Darren had Mk1 NAs. Chris and Nick arrived in Mk2 NAs and Paul brought his Turbo. Mike and Matt just came along to Mt Eden for a chat but couldn't make the journey down south so the remaining five MR2s headed off for our day of fun.

62KB
Steve passing a Capri under brakes at the hairpin

At the track awaiting our arrival were Ade, Steve and Brad who were sharing drives in 'The Race Car'. Donel was also racing his SC but wasn't sharing drives with anyone and Mike Newton was there with the Turbo from his MR2 collection but he wasn't racing, let alone sharing. Oh yeah... there was also green Mk2 NA but I don't know who owned that and Richard Doig was there with his GT-Four so he doesn't count. Confused ?

The racing was run along the same format as the Taupo Escort Club Day, line up in pairs then pass as many Escorts as you can in 3 laps. (Ade won with a tally of 6). As 'The Race Car' has a roll cage the Motorsport NZ Observer deemed the car safe for carrying passengers... yeah right, not with these guys driving. Brad went agricultural while showing off to Steve; Richard's still mute after his ride with Ade; and I've given up racing after rides with all three.

49KB
The cars lined up at the race track.

Escorts weren't the only competition, there were Fiats and Subarus and more Fiats and a Falcon (XA or XB Coupe). The driver of this Falcon was black flagged more than once for 'overdriving'... What's 'overdriving' I hear you ask. Well, it's when a car spends more time going sideways than straight ahead. I was fortunate enough to witness such driving at close range when accompanying Steve on a 3 lap sprint. We caught the Falcon on our first lap but were unable to pass safely so opted for a game of 'follow-the-wobbly-car'. The guy was obviously a highly skilled driver and deserved to be in a stunt (freak) show but it was a bit much for some of the organisers.

It was towards the end of the day when Ade set the record of '6 Escorts passed in 3 laps' and the rules were promptly changed to 'Escorts Only!'

The event actually went well for the MR2s, at least they could all drive home afterwards. Unfortunately the Ford parts departments would have been doing good business selling Escort clutches on the following Monday... Synchronised clutch blowing... should be an Olympic sport.

Thanks to all those who came along, even they guy with the green Mk2 who I don't know.

Malcolm Cambridge.