R1 -V8 SuperTourers - Hampton Downs

[promax]

incomplete drivers lists.. cars with a lot of blank spaces.. hmmm those things seem common with both series

the Fogg machine looks decent! cheers for posting the pics HP

[Goat Boy]

It's up to the teams to secure their drivers - I guess if you are looking for one who is willing to pay that can take some time, it is not the fault of the series.

I only noticed one blank car, out of how many was it? Suspect that will change after Round 1, too.

[HProject]

Originally Posted by promax

the Fogg machine looks decent! cheers for posting the pics HP

The Fogg car is a trick looking thing in person One of my favourites.

[NZSTfan]

Hi all just got back from P1 and P2 at HD.

The gates were not locked, TV3 were there, and so were the cars. Funny that.

Anyway, i had a good long chat with a number of drivers, team members and executives while i was there and can answer some of the above Q's. First of all though, i must say how laid back everyone was today, you could just rock into anyones garage and strike up a convo.....which i did.

First surprise of the day was to see SVG there as i thought he would be in Aus. Never met the guy before, but he was very friendly and open about the class. As i suggested on here a while back his rear window just has 97 and SVG written on it. The size of the number is much more akin to Supercars and looks way better. He confirmed that he was getting to grips with the car, and getting used to the torque and the tyes. And by P2 he's on top. I was the first person to buy up some of the SVG promo gear, and when i walked into the IMS garage Shane was talking with Ant (also a really nice guy) and he was like "hey havn't seen that gear before, looks cool" so i got him and Ant to sign me cap!

Anyway Ant and his team said they were only intending on running the one car, and a bit after that i caught up with Jonny Reid (also a nice guy - who signed me new cap!) and he said they couldn't find a backer for his car, and as we all know this sport is all about the dollar dollar bills ya'll. I am surprised that someone of Jonnys calibre cannot find a backer, hopefully this will change.

Ash Walsh has indeed stepped in to replace Kayne Scott at the last minute. The car began the day in pure red, but by P2 it had 'BOC' down one side and on the bonnet. Car looked very nice and clean i must say.

Also caught up with Simon Evans who is fizzing about this year. Andre was also very engaging and was telling me of his development series stuff for this year, and how V8SC are now seeing the ST's as a true feeder/working platform to their series. I got the impression Paul Morris has been very impressed and has been raving about the series in Aus.

Caught up with Didier too, and asked if MSNZ had turned up and sanctioned the series. Answer "Nope"....are you worred about that Didier? "not at all, we will just carry on what we do best" Nice one Didier (once again you could just bowl up to these people and have a chat)

Mark Chromie is not a very happy man as it seems their team was one of the last to get Tech bulletin #22 about engine mods. Seems weird that one of the drawcard teams were last on the list, but Mark was very vocal in what he thought should be done in the cars. He believes that simply dropping the redline to 6.3 or 6.4 would not lead to any performance issues at all. He also believes that these things will give the supercar CoTF a real run for its money. SVG on the other hand just said that they were two very different things, but he did agree that they would be damn close, and because of the Hankook, the ST would outlast a SC on that fact alone.

Paul Manuell was as freidnly as always and he appreciated my comments on the new look of his car.

Johnny Mac was very focused today but also happy to meet and great and share his views for this season - he says he will be a force to be reckoned with, and i believe him.

Paul Ceprinich was there with his new three car team (MPC) and all looked very focused.

Murph was his usualy friendly and approachable self, and more than willing to share his views with the MSNZ debacle and also the 'lame-duck' TLX (his words not mine!).

Dominic Storeys car, IMO is by far the best looking.

Andy Booth was on fire from the first lap, he's so quick in that car around HD.

But yeah biggest highlight for me was finally meeting SVG. He comes across as a real nice guy, and he is stoked to be racing here.

#1 car looks great with its new livery, and Matt Lockwood had a few goes in it, while trying to keep it straight. Must be cool tho to say that you are actually the first person to drive the #1 car

The series has clearly stepped up from last year. It will be a great season.

The talk of MSNZ and lack of support rattled around all of the garages and the punters. Everyone was on the same page about this issue, and clearly MSNZ are not even reading the same book, let alone the same page. But no one there really seems to care. They are doing a great series, the cars look even better this year (and yes happy to report there are still flames coming from the exhausts on the new gas, but just a little less than last year) the drivers are all very happy and easy to engage.

Seriously the best day of 'free' motorsport in my little life thats for sure

Sunday will be epic

[promax]

is that a compliment from Greg? weren't the Kelly Racing, Paul Morris Motorsport, Tasman Motorsport and Paul Weel Racing cars all duds in his eyes too?

[NZSTfan]

Also forgot to say, awesome pics HProject. Very nice indeed

Promax, you gunna be at the racing this weekend?

[promax]

nope.. not this weekend fan

[socram]

Well done NZSTfan. Good report.

Granny Herald needless to say totally ignored the real opening day of the meet. I am used to it now, but when you get comprehensive lists of greyhounds and horses running not just here but also in Australia, you have to wonder if the Herald is anti motorsport, rather than not supporting it.

I'll watch it on TV and hope the meeting is a huge success at NZ's best track and someone steps forward to inject the much needed cash into the place, so that we can see meetings of this calibre, running larger grids on the planned International track, and not just the National - though I have to say, the current track is a great one and you see the cars more often.

[Blackpearl]

I still wonder how Murph gets away with having bridgestone where in the rules hankook should be.

[Ugy]

Originally Posted by NZSTfan

Hi all just got back from P1 and P2 at HD.

The gates were not locked, TV3 were there, and so were the cars. Funny that.

Anyway, i had a good long chat with a number of drivers, team members and executives while i was there and can answer some of the above Q's. First of all though, i must say how laid back everyone was today, you could just rock into anyones garage and strike up a convo.....which i did.

First surprise of the day was to see SVG there as i thought he would be in Aus. Never met the guy before, but he was very friendly and open about the class. As i suggested on here a while back his rear window just has 97 and SVG written on it. The size of the number is much more akin to Supercars and looks way better. He confirmed that he was getting to grips with the car, and getting used to the torque and the tyes. And by P2 he's on top. I was the first person to buy up some of the SVG promo gear, and when i walked into the IMS garage Shane was talking with Ant (also a really nice guy) and he was like "hey havn't seen that gear before, looks cool" so i got him and Ant to sign me cap!

Anyway Ant and his team said they were only intending on running the one car, and a bit after that i caught up with Jonny Reid (also a nice guy - who signed me new cap!) and he said they couldn't find a backer for his car, and as we all know this sport is all about the dollar dollar bills ya'll. I am surprised that someone of Jonnys calibre cannot find a backer, hopefully this will change.

Ash Walsh has indeed stepped in to replace Kayne Scott at the last minute. The car began the day in pure red, but by P2 it had 'BOC' down one side and on the bonnet. Car looked very nice and clean i must say.

Also caught up with Simon Evans who is fizzing about this year. Andre was also very engaging and was telling me of his development series stuff for this year, and how V8SC are now seeing the ST's as a true feeder/working platform to their series. I got the impression Paul Morris has been very impressed and has been raving about the series in Aus.

Caught up with Didier too, and asked if MSNZ had turned up and sanctioned the series. Answer "Nope"....are you worred about that Didier? "not at all, we will just carry on what we do best" Nice one Didier (once again you could just bowl up to these people and have a chat)

Mark Chromie is not a very happy man as it seems their team was one of the last to get Tech bulletin #22 about engine mods. Seems weird that one of the drawcard teams were last on the list, but Mark was very vocal in what he thought should be done in the cars. He believes that simply dropping the redline to 6.3 or 6.4 would not lead to any performance issues at all. He also believes that these things will give the supercar CoTF a real run for its money. SVG on the other hand just said that they were two very different things, but he did agree that they would be damn close, and because of the Hankook, the ST would outlast a SC on that fact alone.

Paul Manuell was as freidnly as always and he appreciated my comments on the new look of his car.

Johnny Mac was very focused today but also happy to meet and great and share his views for this season - he says he will be a force to be reckoned with, and i believe him.

Paul Ceprinich was there with his new three car team (MPC) and all looked very focused.

Murph was his usualy friendly and approachable self, and more than willing to share his views with the MSNZ debacle and also the 'lame-duck' TLX (his words not mine!).

Dominic Storeys car, IMO is by far the best looking.

Andy Booth was on fire from the first lap, he's so quick in that car around HD.

But yeah biggest highlight for me was finally meeting SVG. He comes across as a real nice guy, and he is stoked to be racing here.

#1 car looks great with its new livery, and Matt Lockwood had a few goes in it, while trying to keep it straight. Must be cool tho to say that you are actually the first person to drive the #1 car

The series has clearly stepped up from last year. It will be a great season.

The talk of MSNZ and lack of support rattled around all of the garages and the punters. Everyone was on the same page about this issue, and clearly MSNZ are not even reading the same book, let alone the same page. But no one there really seems to care. They are doing a great series, the cars look even better this year (and yes happy to report there are still flames coming from the exhausts on the new gas, but just a little less than last year) the drivers are all very happy and easy to engage.

Seriously the best day of 'free' motorsport in my little life thats for sure

Sunday will be epic

Look out Somersby you could be out of a job.

[HProject]

Originally Posted by NZSTfan

Also forgot to say, awesome pics HProject. Very nice indeed

Cheers, ST Have some more















Looking forward to tomorrow

[NZSTfan]

Great stuff HProject

[Blackpearl]

Originally Posted by Blackpearl

I still wonder how Murph gets away with having bridgestone where in the rules hankook should be.

.

[raymond]

Originally Posted by NZSTfan

Hi all just got back from P1 and P2 at HD.

The gates were not locked, TV3 were there, and so were the cars. Funny that.

Anyway, i had a good long chat with a number of drivers, team members and executives while i was there and can answer some of the above Q's. First of all though, i must say how laid back everyone was today, you could just rock into anyones garage and strike up a convo.....which i did.

First surprise of the day was to see SVG there as i thought he would be in Aus. Never met the guy before, but he was very friendly and open about the class. As i suggested on here a while back his rear window just has 97 and SVG written on it. The size of the number is much more akin to Supercars and looks way better. He confirmed that he was getting to grips with the car, and getting used to the torque and the tyes. And by P2 he's on top. I was the first person to buy up some of the SVG promo gear, and when i walked into the IMS garage Shane was talking with Ant (also a really nice guy) and he was like "hey havn't seen that gear before, looks cool" so i got him and Ant to sign me cap!

Anyway Ant and his team said they were only intending on running the one car, and a bit after that i caught up with Jonny Reid (also a nice guy - who signed me new cap!) and he said they couldn't find a backer for his car, and as we all know this sport is all about the dollar dollar bills ya'll. I am surprised that someone of Jonnys calibre cannot find a backer, hopefully this will change.

Ash Walsh has indeed stepped in to replace Kayne Scott at the last minute. The car began the day in pure red, but by P2 it had 'BOC' down one side and on the bonnet. Car looked very nice and clean i must say.

Also caught up with Simon Evans who is fizzing about this year. Andre was also very engaging and was telling me of his development series stuff for this year, and how V8SC are now seeing the ST's as a true feeder/working platform to their series. I got the impression Paul Morris has been very impressed and has been raving about the series in Aus.

Caught up with Didier too, and asked if MSNZ had turned up and sanctioned the series. Answer "Nope"....are you worred about that Didier? "not at all, we will just carry on what we do best" Nice one Didier (once again you could just bowl up to these people and have a chat)

Mark Chromie is not a very happy man as it seems their team was one of the last to get Tech bulletin #22 about engine mods. Seems weird that one of the drawcard teams were last on the list, but Mark was very vocal in what he thought should be done in the cars. He believes that simply dropping the redline to 6.3 or 6.4 would not lead to any performance issues at all. He also believes that these things will give the supercar CoTF a real run for its money. SVG on the other hand just said that they were two very different things, but he did agree that they would be damn close, and because of the Hankook, the ST would outlast a SC on that fact alone.

Paul Manuell was as freidnly as always and he appreciated my comments on the new look of his car.

Johnny Mac was very focused today but also happy to meet and great and share his views for this season - he says he will be a force to be reckoned with, and i believe him.

Paul Ceprinich was there with his new three car team (MPC) and all looked very focused.

Murph was his usualy friendly and approachable self, and more than willing to share his views with the MSNZ debacle and also the 'lame-duck' TLX (his words not mine!).

Dominic Storeys car, IMO is by far the best looking.

Andy Booth was on fire from the first lap, he's so quick in that car around HD.

But yeah biggest highlight for me was finally meeting SVG. He comes across as a real nice guy, and he is stoked to be racing here.

#1 car looks great with its new livery, and Matt Lockwood had a few goes in it, while trying to keep it straight. Must be cool tho to say that you are actually the first person to drive the #1 car

The series has clearly stepped up from last year. It will be a great season.

The talk of MSNZ and lack of support rattled around all of the garages and the punters. Everyone was on the same page about this issue, and clearly MSNZ are not even reading the same book, let alone the same page. But no one there really seems to care. They are doing a great series, the cars look even better this year (and yes happy to report there are still flames coming from the exhausts on the new gas, but just a little less than last year) the drivers are all very happy and easy to engage.

Seriously the best day of 'free' motorsport in my little life thats for sure

Sunday will be epic

...wonder if Murph will talk to me this weekend??

[Sommersby]

Originally Posted by Ugy

Look out Somersby you could be out of a job.

I appreciate your attempt at sarcasm Ugy, and as I've said before I also appreciate that there are perceptions of bias.

However, as I've also said previously; give me an example of this bias - rather than making snide attacks whilst hiding behind the anonymity afforded by this forum.

[Sidewayz]

Originally Posted by Sommersby

I appreciate your attempt at sarcasm Ugy, and as I've said before I also appreciate that there are perceptions of bias.

However, as I've also said previously; give me an example of this bias - rather than making snide attacks whilst hiding behind the anonymity afforded by this forum.

Defensive much Smosby.....? Usually a sign of guilt

[promax]

Originally Posted by Blackpearl

.

powers to be turn a blind eye on the series super star driver

although that title maybe taken from him when SVG hits the track

[Goat Boy]

Will be interesting - Murph may well have insisted that it was in his contract too

[womanbelonginthekitchen]

SVG only set the fastest lap becuse he was the only one to run green tyres !!!!! the tell point will be tomorrow

[NZSTfan]

Never noticed it before until it got bought up on here. But HProjects pics surely do show a bridgstone sticker right where the Hankook one is. As GB states above, it must be a contractual thing. Nothing more nothing less i'd say.

And Ugy why do you continue to post just stupid remarks? it doesn't do any favours for you and the sport.

Promax, pity you can't make it mate, but never mind

Hopefully you'll watch the TV3 package 2moro. 3pm CRC Motorpsort - you should series link it bro.....its good as

[NZSTfan]

Originally Posted by womanbelonginthekitchen

SVG only set the fastest lap becuse he was the only one to run green tyres !!!!! the tell point will be tomorrow

Really? so what does this mean then.....

In a clear indication that van Gisbergen will be a huge factor in the seven-round Championship, the 23-year-old recorded a 1:04.082s on a set of Hankook slicks that had endured two previous race meetings

Full story here...

http://www.speedcafe.co.nz/2013/02/1...ton-downs-run/

[womanbelonginthekitchen]

bull**** i saw them put them on ! just someone talking him up like always

[NZSTfan]

Ok whatever you want to believe......

2moro will tell when qually hits.

BTW, where on earth did you pick that username? how archaic

[GHOGH]

I will have to just make do with pitlane cam today.

http://www.v8st.co.nz/camera.html

[Swedish Brick]

Originally Posted by NZSTfan

Really? so what does this mean then.....

In a clear indication that van Gisbergen will be a huge factor in the seven-round Championship, the 23-year-old recorded a 1:04.082s on a set of Hankook slicks that had endured two previous race meetings

Full story here...

http://www.speedcafe.co.nz/2013/02/1...ton-downs-run/

I'm conflicted, speedcafe hasn't proven to be very accurate this week