Taupo Winter Series

[MN]

Three "5's" were out for the first round of Taupo's Winter race series, Keith and Jennifer in their turbos and me in my stock 1600 (as I keep reminding everyone as an excuse for my indifferent performance!). Last year's 2 slowest groups were amalgamated into group 3 this year ie slower than 1.22 laps for the Taupo circuit 2, resulting in around 20 cars. 8 laps or around 12 minutes per race was a good length. After 4 cars were re-allocted in other faster groups Keith emerged as the fastest in group. Ever the sporting type after starting from pole in race 2 he decided to reverse off in the infield hairpin and watch the field go by before rejoining and carving back through the field. Jennifer managed to get caught in traffic (me in race 2!) but her lap times improved through the day to have her not far short of her of last year's times. I managed to run a set of front brake pads to the metal in race 2 but started race 3 anyway and reduced my fastest lap time by over a second - proof that if you don't brake you'll go faster!!

Round 2 is late July and is on the old Taupo track - can't wait but Taranaki Tarmac rally beckons first, should be 2 "5's" out on that one.