30 October 2003
| REPORT FROM CHRISTCHURCH MEET |
Hi everyone. we are in Nelson and have now had time to relax and get over the last week. And what a week it was....
The Trip down...
We packed up and left Hamilton by the skin of our teeth and drove straight down to Wellington just driving up to the boat in
time for the 3.00 am crossing on Saturday to Picton with a couple of fellow drag racers.
time for the 3.00 am crossing on Saturday to Picton with a couple of fellow drag racers.
After bundling the crew into a cabin we all crashed for 3 hours and woke up to a cold wet morning in Picton. We drove off the
boat and on to Blenheim where it was Macca's for breakfast.
boat and on to Blenheim where it was Macca's for breakfast.
It was a very weary drive down to Christchurch and we made it by 12.00 noon to the Latimer Hotel in the heart of the city.
What a long trip with a fully enclosed trailer carrying the race car, a fully loaded up tow vehicle, three adults and two children.
Amazing what you can do when pushed for time.
What a long trip with a fully enclosed trailer carrying the race car, a fully loaded up tow vehicle, three adults and two children.
Amazing what you can do when pushed for time.
Race preparation...
The rest of Saturday was spent trying to get the race car ready. Warren Fullerton (one of our sponsors from Flamin Body
Shop and roped in pit crew member) and I went on a tiki tour of Christchurch for car parts which were desperately needed.
We even went on a trip to Placemakers for some "outside the square" bits and pieces.
Shop and roped in pit crew member) and I went on a tiki tour of Christchurch for car parts which were desperately needed.
We even went on a trip to Placemakers for some "outside the square" bits and pieces.
Race day...
Sunday dawned and we were still running around like headless chooks. We made it to the track and started setting up. Two
hours later we were still not ready and hadn't even fired the engine up...
hours later we were still not ready and hadn't even fired the engine up...
Finally, after letting the tower know that we weren't going to make it, we were ready.
A very nervous Terry got it to the start line and took off to make it to the other end without incident (whew!!!). We had qualified.
Next we had to get ourselves ready for the first race. After quite a bit more running around, we did a pass without incident
again but the race car decided to stop at the other end and Terry had to be towed back by another competitor who took pity
on him as I had only just got my act together to get to the start line with the tow car.
again but the race car decided to stop at the other end and Terry had to be towed back by another competitor who took pity
on him as I had only just got my act together to get to the start line with the tow car.
| Ruapuna Raceway – 26 October 2003 |
Well (whew!!!) we thought we had done our dash for the day. Not so. We now had to do a pass to gain a placing. More
frantic running around to get to the start line again. This time the tow car with crew and video camera were there capturing
everything. What a take off. Boy did it sound good and did a fairly respectable 10.9 seconds over the quarter mile. We
arrived at the other end to a very relieved and finally smiling Terry.
frantic running around to get to the start line again. This time the tow car with crew and video camera were there capturing
everything. What a take off. Boy did it sound good and did a fairly respectable 10.9 seconds over the quarter mile. We
arrived at the other end to a very relieved and finally smiling Terry.
Our huge amount of effort, blood, sweat and tears had finally been worth it - We had made 3rd place at the Southern
Nationals.
Nationals.
We went to the after meet gathering at The Media Club and cheered everyone that had received trophies for the Southern
Nationals. We very wearily made our way back to our hotel for a much deserved rest.
Nationals. We very wearily made our way back to our hotel for a much deserved rest.
The road to Nelson...
We are now in Nelson, having arrived on Tuesday night. What a temperature difference. We had done the touristy thing on
Monday going to Cathedral Square and having a look around Christchurch. The temperature in Nelson is much better and
we actually went out on a friend's boat for a quick trip around the harbour and lunch. What a beautiful place for those who
haven't been here. I highly recommend it.
Monday going to Cathedral Square and having a look around Christchurch. The temperature in Nelson is much better and
we actually went out on a friend's boat for a quick trip around the harbour and lunch. What a beautiful place for those who
haven't been here. I highly recommend it.
Anyway, the boys are off going through the race car again to prepare for Saturday. We hope to have a more smooth day and
much less stress. I will let everyone know how we go on Sunday before we come back. We hope to leave on Sunday night
and stay in Wellington then travel up home on Monday via New Plymouth as there are street drags the following weekend in
New Plymouth.
much less stress. I will let everyone know how we go on Sunday before we come back. We hope to leave on Sunday night
and stay in Wellington then travel up home on Monday via New Plymouth as there are street drags the following weekend in
New Plymouth.
Again thanks to everyone involved in helping us get to where we are now. I will come and see everyone when we are back in
Hamilton.
Hamilton.
We are on the ride now.
Terry & Kathryn Christensen
TOP CAT RACING
