NOVEMBER 2004 MANFIELD

After all our planning and speculation, all the changes that were made and the hours put in to our fearsome Race Truck, I hear you asking "did the changes we made make a difference?" In all honesty I can answer that question by saying "No". Now you're wondering why I'm saying that. Well this is how the story goes…

Friday night we arrived at Manfield and set everything up. (That was pretty much a mission in its self, as the Truck was only completed on Thursday night, not Malcolm's fault though, … after getting the truck back together again it was taken for it's test run. Unfortunately on the test run the turbo decided that no longer wanted to be a part of the truck. Yes that's right it gave up the ghost. So it was packed up and sent off to be fixed. We waited patiently for its repair and to be returned, however time had run out and Malcolm spent Thursday night fitting the Twin turbos back on the Truck). Now, where was I, ahh that's right… we got everything all set up Friday night, and spent Friday night relaxing in the BTR camp site. Saturday morning came and it came time for testing and qualifying.

The BTR Truck however never got to the qualifying stage. In testing the truck only made three laps before the pinion bearings in the new diff disintegrated. So with that, Malcolm and the Crew loaded the Race Truck on the Transporter and headed back to Masterton to our handy Paiearu Road workshop to take the diff off and refit the old one. So it was late night Saturday with Malcolm and the boys arriving back at Manfield just after midnight. In a quick summary… all the changes that were made to make the Truck lighter in weight went down the tubes very quickly.

	The BTR Camp Site - All hands on deck

This was Round One of the NZ Super Truck Series. The first race of the was a Rolling Start, and the BTR Truck started from the back of the grid, (since we didn't qualify on Saturday due to Differential problems) however Malcolm nicely made his way through the rest of the field to finish in 2nd place with Porter winning 1st and Chris Dunn in the KM Bedford in 3rd.

	Down the Front Straight

The second race of the day was a Split Rolling Reverse Start, the first few laps were quite exciting with Malcolm & Porter fighting for placings. In the end it was once again Malcolm taking 2nd Porter winning 1st and this time taking the 3rd was Terry Lowe.

The third and final race of the day was a Reverse Grid - Rolling Start, much similar to the second race, with the faster trucks starting at the back and the slower ones at the front. Surprise surprise we find ourselves starting alongside Porter at the rear of the grid. This race started very similar to the start of Race Two. Malcolm got the jump at the start and lead Porter through the field up to the front. After several laps of intense racing Porter managed to sneak by and take the win. Malcolm again took 2nd place & 3rd this time was taken by Calvin Bonney.

	From the Dummy Grid - Ready to Race

In a brief summary, the 2004 - 2005 season is off to a good start, sealing three second place placings and running second in points overall. The Truck was reliable and well prepared by the boys (late into Saturday night of course). Who needs sleep when away racing?

We also take this opportunity to give a huge thanks to Robert Lambert - Lamberts Engineers, for giving us his time and making the necessary adjustments to the driveshaft. Without your help who knows if we would have made it back in time for race day. Thanks Robert.

POINTS SUMMARY

POS NAME HOMETOWN POINTS 1 Andrew Porter Hamilton 112 2 Malcolm Little Masterton 81 3 Terry Lowe Auckland 73 4 Chris Dunn Timaru 71 5 Peter Anderson Timaru 57 6 Colin Hooper Taupo 54 7 Calven Bonney Auckland 47 8 Gareth Williams Auckland 8

On another note … It was great to see so many of our sponsors at the Race Track, Alan Griffin & Family (West Bush Deer Stud), PK - from ADS (American Diesel Spares) just to name a few. It's great that you give us your money, but it's really wonderful to see you out at the Track on the day enjoying the racing with us.

I'm sure you all know how much we appreciate you, without you a lot of this is not possible.

Well, round Two is a few months away yet, so until then.

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