Latest update – 14th August 2019

Hello everyone,

And welcome to the latest ABC Pipefitters Northern Rallysprint series update.

Firstly, thanks so very, very much too all involved with yet another fantastic series. We really are lucky to have such a great series and that’s all credit to the six car clubs and their members that put on the events. All roads are fantastic, testing, technical, challenging and exceptionally smooth, even Maramarua had no complaints.

For club level competition we really do have one hell of a series, being based in the top of the North island we are fortunate to have a large population base, obviously this helps with entry levels but just look at our last round, 71 competitors, that outshines most national rallies. That particular event, Hoddle Road was defiantly the pick of the rounds, all credit to the Hamilton Car Club for putting on a superb event.

It’s not only the numbers, or quality of events but the caliber of drivers and cars, once again its national rally standard. It really is the best “Bang for your buck” form of rallying in New Zealand.

And, it’s not over yet, we still have our prize giving. Unfortunately it’s very difficult fitting this into the calendar as there’s still an awful lot of motorsport events still left on the calendar, at this stage we are looking at October 12^th, it’s a Saturday evening and will be at the South Auckland Car Club rooms at Takanini. We will have our usual “ Spit Roast Dinner ” the bar will be open and for those who have never attended before it really is worth making the effort to get there as it’s a great evening and a great opportunity to catch up with everyone and have a laugh.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank a few people who often help out but never really get recognised……Grant Liston for helping out with our pace notes, or safety notes as some people prefer to call them. Whatever your views are we really are lucky to have these supplied free, I’ll get back to this in a moment. But, does anyone stop and think what’s involved with producing these, it’s not a five minute exercise and often involves a whole day of Grants, and Carol’s time. These are made possible by Neil Allport, he provides the gear and technology to do this, again free of charge.

To Jason Byrne of a little bit sideways, New Zealands only dedicated rally magazine, have you seen the coverage he gives us, we get pages & pages of coverage, again we get as much, if not more than the National Rally Championship, and still he does not get the support he deserves.

To Chris Alexander of Suspension Tech, another unsung hero and all round good guy who provides the trophies for our sports un sung hero’s….the co-drivers. None of the above have to do this, but they do, and it all helps to make our series the best in New Zealand.

Last, but not least, my employer, Kevin Flower of ABC Pipefitters. Not only does he help pay my mortgage but he’s been sponsoring the series now for six seasons, awesome support and its carrying on for 2020.

Now, whilst on the topic of 2020 we already have a date for round 1, Ruarangi road, an absolute classic to start the series off, so put it in your diaries February 2^nd.

So, that about sums everything up for now, check out the report and pictures in the next edition of a little bit sideways and see you all at prizegiving on October 12^th.

Cheers,

Steve & Tracy.