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News from Slingshot Steve Thomas - Nostalgia Drags April 2010

NZ NOSTALGIA DRAGS – 11th APRIL, 2010
Wordz & Pix by Slingshot Steve

My introduction to Kiwi drag racing came on the highway about 20 minutes south of Auckland as I was making my way down to the Nostalgia Drags at Meremere’s Fram Autolite Dragway. I had just crested a small rise when I saw, about 300 metres in front of me, what looked to be a 56 Chev, a 55 Chev in front of it and the grey roof of a coupe in front of that, all parked on the side of the road. Now, it would have been very remiss of me not to delay my journey by a few seconds to check out this unexpected scene and as I neared the trio, the stance of the two Chevs struck me as being ‘different’. Closer inspection revealed the pleasant truth...they were both street-registered gassers, their tails pointing downward while their noses, suspended from their tube axles by a pair of elliptical springs reached skyward, seemingly worshipping the glorious blue sky under which the racing would take place. The grey roof I had seen from afar belonged to a fenderless rat A-Model Coupe, complete with 10-spokers up front and a battered Moon tank ahead of the grille.

I had just taken my camera gear out of the car at the strip when I heard the beautiful music of open exhausts. Turning towards the entry gate I saw none other than my trio of parked cars trundling in and making their way toward the pits. I already loved New Zealand nostalgia drags and hadn’t even left the car park.

I had actually been out to the strip the previous night for the 6-car Cackle Fest, or as the Kiwis call it, Crackle Fest. Cackle or crackle, it doesn’t matter. It just depends on what you do with your Rs!

The day before the nostalgias had seen a club day for hot rods and muscle cars at the strip, which I had missed due to only flying in to Auckland that afternoon, and the Crackle Fest was an added bonus before the track closed for the night.

A feature of the nostalgia meet was the First International FED Challenge, which saw Aussie John Fleming and American Tyler Henderson taking on seven of New Zealand’s slingshots, both foreigners taking part in the Crackle Fest. The Kiwi cars on hand for the crackle were the blown cars of Paul ‘Pins’ Sattler, Paul ‘Nasty’ Norris and Mark Vincent and the injected 427 Ford SOHC rail of Alex Hogg. After the mills had run their course and the cars were wheeled back into the pits the silence was again shattered by the sound of another nitro-burner, this time hidden beneath the Chevy Vega body of Karl Boniface’s nostalgia funny car. Karl wasn’t just performing a static show, either. He rolled to the line, laid down a burnout and reversed, punching out short nitro flames from the headers of the big block Chev as he did so. The Vega launched well and then started skating on the cold track, forcing Karl to back off and coast through to the finish line. Then it was back to Auckland and bed.

Eight brackets made up the nostalgias plus a number of exhibition cars were on hand to entertain the crowd. Competition 1 comprises the quickest cars, Competition 2 is for the next quickest, each fielding nine entries. Bracket A, for Pre 1948 hot rods had a great field of 43, Bkt B, Pre 1978 US had a whopping 55 entries, Bkt C for flatheads had seven, Bkt D for the 4-bangers saw four turn up, Bkt E for the Gassers had a great 14-car field and the final bracket, Bkt F, is for the slingshots, nine of which turned up for the International Challenge.

Aussies take note...the Gasser bracket is the equivalent of our Vintage Gas, the major difference being that our cross-Tasman cousins embrace the concept to the max, with every car running either a straight or dropped tube front axle, signwriting and the range of vehicles was from hot rods through to the mid 1960s. When was the last time we had anywhere near this number of Vintage Gassers at an Aussie nostalgia meet? Never? The best I can recall was 11 or 12 at the rained-out 2007 Nostalgia Nationals and we’ve never come close to that again. We have the cars here, we just need to get all the bloody things together at one meeting! This year’s Nostalgia Nationals would be a good time. You may have guessed it, I’m a Gasser fanatic.

Anyway, enough of my rant. Back to as good a day’s racing as I’ve ever seen. Qualifying for the FED Challenge saw US racer Tyler Henderson’s black digger on top with a 7.106 at 192.36 mph, followed by John Fleming’s ‘Rattler II’, with son Andrew at the wheel, with a 7.419 at only 168.28 and Mark Vincent’s blown sbc close behind with a 7.487 at 173.45. Next up were two cars which excite this scribe in a big way, Paul ‘Pins’ Sattler’s sbc with a 7.576 at 177.58 and the high-tailed, enclosed cage ‘Pandemonium’ of Paul ‘Nasty’ Norris on an 8.047 at 165.82. Steve Anderson was next with an 8.624, Alex Hogg’s injected cammer was right on his tail with an 8.625 then it was back to Aaron Lelean’s blown small block shorty with a slightly off-pace 10.620 and Phil Hirst with an11.234 from his little injected 4-banger.

Eliminations kicked off with top qualifier Henderson taking a very leisurely single and in the next race it was Anderson with a good 0.038 to 0.380 holeshot over ‘Nasty’ and going through for an 8.647 on an 8.50 win over the 8.135 on a 7.86 from ‘Nasty’. Despite taking a huge 0.128 to 0.546 holeshot over Fleming Hirst struck problems, slowing to a 12.112 on his 10.40 and allowing the red big block from Oz to drive around for an 8.068 on a 7.40 win and Vincent’s 7.936 on a 7.40 was too good for Lelean’s 10.564 on a 9.70. The final race of the round pitted the blown sbc of Sattler against the big, injected Ford SOHC of Hogg and this was the closest race of the round with ‘Pins’ cutting the better reaction, 0.121 to 0.253 and taking a 7.655 on a 7.55 win over the Ford’s 8.720 on an 8.60.

Anderson versus Henderson was the way round two opened and it was local boy Anderson taking the green first, leaving with a 0.162 light and Henderson close behind with a better 0.106 only to strike problems and watch as the Kiwi went through for an 8.725 on an 8.50 win. ‘Pins’ took the green first against Vincent and cut a good 0.012 reaction against a following 0.108 and in an effort to stay in front he kept the boot in a fraction too long, carding a 7.507 on a 7.55 breakout to hand the automatic win to Vincent’s 7.434 on his 7.40 and Fleming took an 8.068 on a 7.40 single.

The semi finals opened in a big way as Fleming cut a perfect 0.000 reaction and ran 7.807 on a 7.55 to take the win from Anderson’s 0.017 red light start and 8.739 on an 8.50 dial-in and Vincent took an engine-saving 10.339 single.

The final saw the local blue, yellow and orange striped car of Vincent taking on the red Aussie car under a magnificent sunset. It was Fleming to leave first but breakage saw him sitting there watching the Kiwi cut a 0.090 reaction and storm away to a 7.484 on a 7.40 win and earning the beautiful VHT World Front Engine Dragster Challenge trophy.

Comp 1 saw a good variety of sedans, altered and hot rods in the 9-car field and topping the list were the two high-stepping Mopar sedans of Wayne Grimmer and Sam Levien. Grimmer’s beautiful Cuda sat on top with an 8.403 at 160.59 and Levien was close behind with an 8.455 at 158.63. Ian Metz’ injected black Topolino was next in line with an 8.666, followed by Dave Bullot’s 32 Roadster on 8.699, Aaron Phillips’ T-Bucket altered on 8.743 and Gerald Smith rounded out the 8-second cars with an 8.824 from his hat-injected T-Bucket. Next in line was the beautiful gloss black 32 Coupe of Phil Grimmer on 9.032, the flat black Willys Coupe of Dean Cadman ran a 9.161 and closing the field was Karen Hay in her dad’s blown sbc T-Roadster on 9.255, well over two seconds off her usual pace.

The two flat black cars of Metz and Cadman opened round one. Cadman took the green first but had a 0.487 snooze before putting the boot in and that was all Metz needed, blasting the Topolino out with a 0.072 reaction and passing the Willys for an 8.975 on an 8.58 win over a losing 9.250 on a 9.20. The two Buckets were up next and it was Phillips’ good 8.682 on his 8.65 taking the win over a losing 9.012 on an 8.80 from Smith and the next race had the fans on their feet as Karen Hay and Sam Levien rolled into the water box. Hay knew that dad Lindsay had solved the tune-up issues and had dialled in at 7.50, giving Levien the green first with his 8.44 d-i and he cut a 0.161 reaction to Hay’s following 0.203 light. Levien had the wheels up as usual and the blue and white Roadster was out like a scalded cat in the catch-up effort, passing the big Mopar before the line with a huge 6.765 at 182.16 breakout and hand the win to Levien’s 8.427 breakout. This run ensured that Karen has well and truly earned the title of New Zealand’s quickest lady in the last 20 years and didn’t the crowd show its appreciation. Phil Grimmer’s Crower-injected big block Chev 32 Coupe took the next win, going 8.961 on an 8.95 to put Bullot back on the trailer after his off-pace 9.375 on an 8.69 and brother Wayne Grimmer took an 8.508 on an 8.40 single to close the round.

Both Grimmer boys ran out of luck in round two, with Phil pulling a 0.022 cherry and wasting an 8.938 on an 8.90 to hand the win to Metz’ 8.711 on an 8.58 while Wayne fouled and broke in his race against Phillips, who went to an 8.862 on an 8.65 win. Levien took the single and again had the wheels in the air to begin his 8.18 on an 8.40 run.

The semis started with Levien taking on Phillips, with the little T taking the green first and cutting a 0.208 reaction and the big Mopar not far behind after a better 0.088 light. Knowing the booming Mopar was closing in Phillips tried too hard to stay ahead and broke out with an 8.640 on his 8.65 to hand the automatic win to Levien’s 8.436 on an 8.39. Metz advanced to the final with his 8.762 on an 8.65 single.

Like those before him, Metz knew how potent and consistent Levien had been all day and launched just 0.056 too early, drawing a cherry and then taking the runner-up spot with his 8.669 on an 8.72 breakout, while the big, flamed Mopar once again took flight off the line and hurtled through for an 8.430 on an 8.40 bracket win.

The Comp 2 bracket also saw nine qualifiers and again it was a good assortment of sedans and altered. Phil Webber’s sensational 37 Chev Coupe sat on top with a 9.462 with Tony Massey’s wild little Escort very close behind with a 9.466 and Tony Christiansen’s T-Bucket altered not far behind with a 9.500. Filling fourth was Gerry Rose’s Topolino altered with a 9.656, Rob McBride’s 70 Dodge Challenger went 9.792 to take fifth, Jason Taylor’s 57 Chev was next with a 9.880, the 67 Camaro of Dennis Lovegrove ran 10.732 for seventh, Ricky Eastham’s fantastic little 53 Ford Prefect went 11.419 for eighth and it was the 64 Falcon Ute of John Bates closing the field with his 11.455.         

 Tony Massey took his Escort to the first win of eliminations, cutting a better 0.085 to 0.164 reaction against John Bates’ Falcon and running 9.559 on a 9.44 for the win over a losing 11.045 on a 10.50 and Ricky Eastham’s crowd-pleasing Prefect used its 383 Chev power to launch with its wheels high and take a 10.953 on a 10.90 win over Christiansen’s yellow Bucket after its slow 0.530 reaction and 9.229 on a 9.35 breakout. Rob McBride fouled in the big Challenger, handing the automatic win to Jason Taylor’s 57, which left a 0.008 cherry on the tree and ran a 9.399 on a 9.50 breakout. Dennis Lovegrove also left way too early, drawing a foul and handing the win to Gerry Rose’s Topolino, which left a 0.196 red behind and ran 9.871 on his 9.70. To close the round Phil Webber ran a good 9.412 on his 9.40 in the beautiful 37 Chev.

Rose used a better 0.220 reaction against Eastham’s 0.474 to drive around the high-stepping Prefect and take a 9.886 on a 9.75 win over a better 10.983 on a 10.90, Taylor left before the third amber and gave Webber’s 9.772 on a 9.40 the automatic win and Massey ran a good 9.465 on a 9.44 on his single to close the round.

The semi final between Webber and Massey was virtually heads-up, with Webber dialled in at 9.40 and Massey on 9.44 but Massey snoozed at the start with a 0.415 against Webber’s 0.192 reaction and despite his great 9.446 it was Webber’s 37 taking the win with a 9.553. Rose took the single to move into the final, running an easy 10.337 on his 9.75.

The flamed candy red 37 Chev lined up against the flamed black Topolino for the final, Webber with a 9.40 dial-in and Rose with a 9.75. On their respective greens it was Rose with a 0.420 reaction ahead of Webber’s 0.465 but the red Coupe gradually closed the slight gap, taking the win with a 9.443 against Rose’s following 9.941.

Bracket A saw a fantastic array of hot rods ranging from T-Buckets through the 30s Coupes, Roadsters and Sedans and up to the late 40s Pickups. The builds ranged from show quality, through various degrees of street rods and some all-out rat rods in the 43 car field. Times ranged from a couple of 9-second cars, the Modified Buckets of Jason Bond and Kenny West, a handful of 11-second runners and the rest went from 12 seconds up.

In the first round of eliminations Jason Bond dropped his dial-in back to 10.50 but couldn’t slow the beautiful purple/green harlequin-painted, blown small block Bucket down enough and broke out with a 10.184 at only 88.66 mph, so you know the brakes were on. Kenny West drew the single in the round, luckily, running a 9.917 on a 10.00 breakout. The only other sub 11-second car to advance to round two was the 34 Chev of Mark Coffey, which ran 10.714 on his 10.70.

Twenty rods faced the tree in round two, starting with Steve Jackson’s 32 Roadster against Brian Atkinson’s 32 Pickup. Atkinson threw it away at the start with a 0.098 cherry, allowing Jackson’s 13.725 on a 13.40 to advance. Bruce Riddick’s T also left a red behind to hand the win to Mark Coffey, Martin Lambert used a better 0.228 to 0.377 reaction over Stu Brown to take his 47 Jailbar to a 14.902 on a 14.70 win over the 32 Roadster’s 12.677 on his 12.60 and Bruce Ericksen ran 12.914 on a 12.40 in his T to put away Russell Beddon’s 16.741 on a 15.90 in his 48 Ford Bonus. Paul Nicoll used a much better 0.271 to 0.710 reaction in his 32 Tudor to take a 15.800 on a 15.50 win over the closer 13.746 on a 13.60 from top qualifier, Sya Biggs’ 49 Ford Bonus and Chris Ritchie strapped an 11.946 on an 11.65 from his 32 Ford on James Hammond’s 15.233 on a 15.00 from his T. Kevin Wright’s 14.598 on a 14.53 was too good for Neil Wisnesky’s 13.948 on a 13.80, Greg Mills took a 15.298 win over the 12.838 on a 12.70 from Alan Carmichael’s Ford Popular, Diane Roberts took her fantastic rat 30 Tudor hi-boy to a 13.621 on a 13.50 win over Wayne Mackie’s 13.550 on a 13.20 and Noel McMillan took the final win of the round by downing Kenny West 14.184 on a 14.10 to a losing 9.975 on a 9.90.

Coffey opened round three with a 10.875 on a 10.70 win over Jackson’s 13.027 on a 13.40 breakout, Ericksen used a closer 12.464 on a 12.40 to overcome the holeshot and 14.946 on a 14.70 from Lambert, Ritchie’s 11.688 on an 11.65 took the win from Wright’s 14.480 on a 14.50 breakout and in a good close race, McMillin’s 0.014 to 0.108 holeshot over Roberts kept his 14.130 on a 14.10 just ahead of the rat Tudor’s great 13.503 on a 13.50. Mills and Nicoll closed the round with Nicoll pulling a cherry and handing the win to the 39 Chev’s 15.844 on a 15.20.

Round four saw Coffey run 10.760 on a 10.70 to put Ericksen back on the trailer with his losing 12.667 on a 12.40, Ritchie’s 11.636 on an 11.65 breakout handed the automatic win to Mills’ 15.217 on a 15.2 and McMillin tested both his reaction and dial-in on his single, cutting a beautiful 0.003 light and running a 14.051 on his 14.10.

With three cars left in the semis it was inevitable that the final would be an all Chevy affair and it fell to McMillin and Mills to do battle. It was McMillins’ 36 Chev Pickup going to a 14.653 on a 14.05 victory over the 39 Chev’s 15.554 on a 15.20 and Coffey soloed for a 10.777 on a 10.70.

McMillin took the green first, cutting a better 0.051 reaction ahead of Coffey’s 0.283 and it was McMillin in front all the way, crossing the line for a 14.164 on a 14.10 win over the 10.791 on a 10.70 from Coffey.

The Pre 78 US bracket, Bracket B, was huge with 55 cars and it was veritable feast of prime US Muscle, starting in the low 10s and working up from there.

The three 10-second heavy hitters of Doug Stewart, Ian Rainbow and Steve Wall all made it through round one but Wall’s 66 Chevelle fell in round two.

Other winners of round two were Brian Cook in his 69 Mustang, Shane Edmonds’ Pontiac GTO, Neil Waters’ 64 Dodge, Paul McCormack in his 55 Chev and Peter Harmsworth, who put Wall back on the trailer. Also advancing to round three were Sheryl Brokenshire in her El Camino, Ian Wiseman in a 66 Dodge, Larry Beck’s 56 Chev, Justin Weir and Ian McGowan.

Round three began with the GTO of Edmonds taking on the Mustang of Cook, who handed the automatic win to Edmonds’ 14.068 on a 13.76 via a 0.005 cherry. Waters and his 64 Dodge advanced with a 13.695 on a 13.50 when Stewart blew his catch-up attempt with a 10.637 on a 10.70 breakout and Weir used a much better reaction to take his Camaro’s 12.205 on an 11.75 to the line ahead of McCormack’s 13.158 on a 12.80 from the 55 Chev. Despite being out-reacted at the tree Brokenshire drove her El Camino around Harmsworth’s big Chrysler Imperial, taking the win with her 15.089 on a 14.94 to the Imperial’s 18.178 on a 17.80, Beck and his 56 Chev also did better at the tree than McGowan and his 59 Ford, taking the win with a 15.366 on a 15.00 to a losing 17.923 on a 17.67 and Rainbow took a single with a 10.642 on a 10.00 pass.

The first race of round four was a beauty. Edmonds and Waters were dialled in at 13.78 and 13.45 respectively and at the green it was Edmonds with a 0.192 reaction and Waters following closely with a better 0.181. Across the line it was still Edmonds just in front, crossing for a 13.814 to a losing 13.587. Weir’s better reaction gave him an 11.841 on an 11.75 win over Brokenshire’s closer 15.008 on her 14.95 and Rainbow took his 50 Chev Coupe to an 11.089 on a 10.70 win over the 15.193 on a 15.00 from Beck.

The first semi final saw Rainbow out-react Weir 0.104 to 0.172 and take a 10.772 on a 10.70 win over the 11.715 on an 11.75 breakout from the Camaro and Edmonds went 13.868 on his single.

Edmonds left the line with a slow 0.454 reaction compared to the 0.062 from Rainbow, who went 11.079 on his 10.70 to take the final win while Edmonds followed through with a 13.853 on his 13.78.

The flatheads came out to play in Bracket C, which saw seven starters. Opening proceedings was Russell Lowe who took his A Coupe to a 17.812 on a 17.80 win over Neil Surtees’ Caddy-powered A Tudor’s 16.502 on a 16.20 and Dave Alexander took his Jack Chrisman No 26 look-alike to a 14.659 on a 14.10 win over Rob Gibson’s 20.845 on a 21.00 breakout in his 48 Merc. Gavin Doughty took his beautiful 38 Ford Roadster to an easy 19.933 on a 19.20 win after Hendrik Metz left a 0.335 cherry with his T-Bucket altered and Steve Maniaperto took a cruising single to advance his sensational 32 Roadster.

Into the semis and it was Alexander taking a 14.640 on a 14.10 win over Lowe’s slowing 18.809, while Doughty’s 19.689 drove around Maniaperto’s off-pace 17.555.

Both finalists rolled out in their beautifully presented cars and it was Alexander’s Chrisman look-alike driving around Doughty’s Roadster for the win, running 14.613 on a 14.20 over a losing 20.159 on a 19.20.

Four 4-Bangers were on hand for Bracket D but only three could make it out for eliminations. The first race saw a double breakout and the win going to Kirsten Courtney’s spider web A Pickup with a 23.956 on a 24.00 over the 21.132 on a 21.59 from Paul Stafford’s A Pickup and Graeme McNeil took his beautiful closed-cab A Pickup to an 18.170 single.

The red oxided spider web RPU took on the gleaming yellow Pickup for the final and was the lady taking the win with a 24.331 0n a 23.90 over McNeil’s 17.889 on an18.00 breakout.

This just left one more bracket, Bracket E for the Gassers and this one had me hyped. The assortment of Kiwi Gassers is brilliant, consisting of shoebox Chevies, Anglias, hot rods, a Falcon Sprint and a Henry J.

Ten of the 14 entries made it out for racing, which began with Graham Lilly taking his beautiful blue and silver Ford Popular (Anglia) to an 11.848 on an 11.87 breakout win over the 11.472 on an 11.50 breakout from Kendal Smith in his recently US-imported 64 Falcon Sprint. Russell Long then took his 55 Chev to an 11.989 on an 11.95 win over the 12.942 on a 12.80 from the Ford Pop Van of Dick Legge and Ross Whelan drove his 1934 Ford Y to a 10.890 on a 10.85 win over Gary Langlands’ Ford Pop which followed through with a 12.108 on an 11.97. GT Norris took his wild ‘Pist ‘n’ Broke’ Henry J to an 11.350 on an 11.20 win over ‘Shady’ Colin Lane’s off-pace 19.533 on a 13.40 and good mates Richard Malam and Chris Hornblow closed the round in the two Chevies I’d seen on the roadside on my way to the track. Chris had trouble with his 56 on the line, breaking the beams way too early but still keeping the boot in for a good 12.00 on his 11.97 while Richard took his gorgeous gold 55 ‘Gold Rush’ through for an automatic win with a great 12.810 on his 12.80. Stay tuned, as NITRO! Mag will be featuring both these cars in the coming months.

Round two began with the two 55s of Malam and Long facing off and the red and white car of Long moved just 0.018 too early, handing the win to the 12.757 on a 12.80 breakout by ‘Gold Rush’ and running 11.970 on an 11.95 for the lose. Lilly’s Pop took the next race with an 11.880 on an 11.84 when Norris’ Henry J ran a big 10.916 on an 11.20 breakout and Whelan’s beautiful little Ford Y ran an 11.020 single.

Rolling out for the semi final were Lilly and Whelan and it was the little Pop moving into the final with an 11.914 on an 11.82 win after Whelan blew his chances with a 10.809 on a 10.85 breakout. ‘Gold Rush’ took the single with a dial-in testing 12.450 on a 12.65.

So it was Lilly’s Pop going up against Malam’s recently-finished and registered 55, which was making its first appearance on a drag strip. Malam was on a 12.40 dial-in and Lilly was on an 11.84 and on the green it was a good 0.043 light for the Chev and a 0.112 red for the Ford, thus allowing Malam to take a 12.706 bracket win at his car’s first meeting, the Pop going 11.851 for runner-up spot.

Some exciting exhibition runs were laid down for the fans by a variety of cars, two of the crowd favourites being the nostalgia funny cars of Karl Boniface and Lez Herst. Boniface’s ‘Nitro Flashback’ Vega put down two runs, each preceded by a strong burnout and he recorded times of 6.916 at 206.35 and 7.331 at 197.45. Herst had brought out the rebuilt ‘Phoenix’ Camaro which had originally toured Australia in 1978 in the hands of US driver Chris Lane. The quality of the reconstruction is superb and NITRO! Mag will be bringing you an article on the car in the near future. Lez put down a couple of short burnouts, one of which was nicely crossed-up and a couple of half passes, one of them crossing the centreline and cleaning up the timing blocks.

Dave Gauld was on hand with his beautiful blown Topolino AA/A, ‘Pure N sanity’ and had a best of 8.260 at 172.61 after some nice burnouts and wheels-up launches. Andrew ‘Squig’ Miles put his XP Falcon Doorslammer through its paces, boiling the hides big-time and going to a 7.256 at 186.46 best, Euon Mark had his AA/HR out for some good burnouts and wheelstanding runs and Aussie Marcus Page had his Bantam A/MA across the Tasman, laying down a 7.849 and a 7.870 and a best speed of 168.03.

The biggest noisemaker was the non-nostalgia nitro-burning funny car, which put down a couple of runs, the second of which in the evening light saw a fantastic show of header flames before having to button off.

So ended the meeting and my first taste of Kiwi nostalgia. To say that I’m hooked on the Kiwi scene is an understatement and I’m hoping to make it back next year for more of the same.

I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank some of the Kiwis who helped make my visit so great. To Gary Bogaart and all of the track crew and volunteers, thank you for making me so welcome, thanks Deano and the Bay Rodders for hosting such a fantastic event, Mike Ashton for your hospitality and friendship, all the other photog’s for accepting a bloody Aussie at your track and to Lindsay and Karen, ‘Pins’, ‘Nasty’, Richard, Chris, Rob C, Phil G, Bruce ‘The Goose’ and Lez for giving me the time to organize your cars for the magazine. Sorry Alex, time and distance prevented me from making it down to you...hopefully next yea














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News from Phantom and Rattler Crew - Nostalgia Drags April 2010

If I may just jump in here (Cathi) thank you sooo much to Shaz for your write up; other Bay Rodders feel free to test your writing skills and do a write up of a story/event, it's always good reading other members input not just mine (photos are easy to do - do a write up with your photos)- and I now declare Shaz as our official Aussie Correspondent along with Fingrz and Andi our official  US Correspondent, so Shaz feel free to give us a write up about the Kiwis at Winter Nats at Willowbank or one of you Bay Rodders get off your bum and send me a write up about the Kiwi experience in 2010 Winter Nats cause Den and I can't afford to go!

Yeah Giddy Mates and Chickies finally have 5 minutes spare to talk a bit about the Nostalgia weekend.  Well, what can we say what a bloody awesome two weeks we have had.We got to the track and we got the warmest welcome as always and there to the left were our cars all displayed, excellent set up and the whole weekend worked well.

The cackle fest was fantastic, Tyler’s eyes were getting bigger and bigger as the flames were coming out of the pipes, poor Deanna was in the drivers seat holding her hat thinking where are these flames gonna go, she did enjoy been in the drivers seat for a change though.

Great display to all the cars that were in the cackle fest, check out utube lots of footage on there.

Club champs was a great day, great to see a lot of nostalgia cars out there having a blast of a time and the weather you couldn’t ask for better, perfect days BUT freezing cold nights, me nipples haven’t been that hard in ages (laugh out loud).

A BIG thank you to Ross for supplying his parents caravan with electric blanket  was so cosy and warm, remember Ross anytime you are over here we will return the compliments, so very much appreciated.

Sunday morning looking all pretty shabby walked down to breakfast and some thieving B***** pinched all the bacon and sausages, we also hope you choked on the rind and as for the sausages choke on that too.

A big thank you to all that had prepared our meals all day, we felt like the kings and queens, your hospitality was fantastic.

Sundays day of racing was a blast had a great day, great weather, great people, great racing what more can we say, a bummer John broke his diff but hey got it fixed and was racing the following weekend in Masterton.

As for Tyler I know he doesn’t like things in his way, took yellow boxes out from centre line, it was a great experience for Tyler to race on the track, he had a ball.

And what can we say about Deanna (Tyler’s fiancée)  she got on the track, ran in her boots and showed us a bit of class, yeah I was wondering if the crowd was watching her or Tyler’s car (laugh out loud)

I said to Jackass we could do that, get our saddle bag bra on, tuck our bum cheeks in and see what response we get lol.

As the night went on it was eat plenty, drink heaps and party on all through the night.

A Big thank you to all the Bayrodders once again, FRAM for such a professional job through the whole weekend, all sponsors that sponsored such a great weekend, Pat and jackass for the home baking, blankets etc, Westy and family for storaging our cars, the team that towed our cars to Fram Raceway and Masterton and Deano and Claire Bear for there love and support also, anyone we have missed  A BIG thank you too you all.

Monday we helped tidy and clean up and Nelly left his phone behind, Oh dear what was done to it lol, nice picture eh! Nelly, you look after them now till next time lol, are they Jackass or who could it be???


News from Phantom and Rattler Crew - Masterton Motorplex Dragway

Friday afternoon we caught up with Deano and Claire bear in Woodville on our travels to Masterton, got to the cabins and set up, off we trotted to the pub for a good feed, it was so cold down there so we weren’t too far from bed, we had a few back at our unit having a few laughs or too. Tyler knocked at out door and Toenails opened it, Tyler’s face was like (What the?) Toenails head height was the right height, Tylers covered his private parts as Toenails said looking good, it was so funny we just laughed all night.

Got to the track the next day the boys set the marquee up got all cars under ready for another day of racing.

WELL, great set up and the track was wild lol, just had to watch those white lines as you take off lol as we know the track is the airfield runway.

Was a awesome day and a BIG thank you to all that organised the weekend event, we had meals and drinks supplied and once again great weather, FREEZING COLD nights (but we were plenty warm in bed)

Marcus loved racing on the track, has always wanted to race on the Masterton Motorplex track we are very grateful of letting us come down as this was the last time racing on the airfield.

Busting to get back when the new drag strip track opens, we will be there.

Phantom Banton went well all weekend no breakages at all, Tyler decided to take the whole track again just missed box in middle, thank goodness there were no walls or he may of hit it, at the end the gears broke in the trans so Tyler’s was out, he was not happy as his experience he was having in New Zealand was great, he is very thankful.

John and crew rock and rolled all day, car went well all day, great runs, great team work to all, Grandma & Grandpa bloody fantastic team work, and Grandma you are one hot momma on the track backing up.

The whole Aussies team worked all together helped each other excellent team work I must add.

Well once again thank you to everyone for all your support and we will hopefully see you next year some place and any time.

Cheers Phantom  and Rattler Crew (from our Aussie Correspondent - Sharlene)

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Nostalgia Drags April 2010

Sorry for the delay don’t you hate it when work interferes with car stuff!  Anyway four cars including ourselves headed off on Friday 9th April at 1pm from Tauranga for the journey to Meremere it was a good cruise, with the exception of two of our cars nearly being taken out by young dickheads in a "jappa" not giving way on a one way bridge, but once we got there safely everyone was busy setting up their tents and caravans.  We got to debut our American Muscle car pop top complete with stars and strips on the outside and it was given the name “Cathi’s Den” thanks to our witty Kim McNaughton (“lil Kim”).

Job Rosters were then formulated and it was time for dinner, a big “thank you” to the person who arranged the beetroot for the hamburgers – “you’re the bomb!!”  Can we have gherkins too next year please?  We got to meet and greet the Aussies and share a few tall stories over a few taller brews.

Later we all gathered for a Kumbyja session around the caravans lead by the club muso Vaughan on his guitar – only no one knew the words.  My only suggestion is “lil Kim” has to learn the words to Hotel California before the next Nostalgia’s; it was painful. Others amused themselves trying to start a bomb fire in the rubbish bins – aye Phil.  Anyway by club standards a quiet’ish night was had by all, as we all got our much needed beauty sleep for the club champs the next day.

We were all up like someone had pissed the bed the next morning and off we rocked to scrutineering at 8am all keen as mustard to enter our wagons, while others who were not racing were off down the track to get started on their jobs – good on ya guys.

The ladies team consisted of me; “Aunty Fun”, “no nuts Lynne”, “Claire Bear” and “lil Kim”.  I know Keith Riddell and someone driving a green American car were in the men’s team, but that’s about it because with the exception of “Claire Bear” the other three of us were virgins to the drag racing scene; “Drag Virgins” Deano called us, and all we could focus on was ourselves – nothing new there really – it’s all about us isn’t it?

I must admit though, I think Lynne is envious of the white stripes on my Camaro bonnet, as she attempted to paint white strips on the bonnet of the Imperial with the scrutineering paint – aye “no nuts Lynne”.  As for “Claire Bear” she nearly missed her first race entirely but thanks to the persistence of the intercom man she was finally seen running to the Buick to finally let lane one out on the drag track.

We all had a blast!!!  But after the three qualifying rounds with the exception of “lil Kim” we all broke out but I’m really stoked with my time, the car and I know for a fact that I’ll be drag racing again and hopefully soon.  As for “lil Kim” she blew us all away with her three races and getting 15.44, she went from a “lil racing virgin” to a “lil racing queen” – aye Dave ha ha!

That night we had the club champ prizing giving, congratulations to all participants and particularly to the winners.  We were then treated to the best roast pork dinner ever by John Key and his team.  Tyler our guest from the US was particularly smitten by the crackling he hadn’t had before, as he asked what it was and then promptly asked for more.

After a huge feed, we all headed to the track to watch the Crackle Fest, which was loud, fumey, and saw the best flame display from Tyler – ye ha just awesome! 

Then members roamed and gathered, and roamed and gathered throughout the camp sites gas bagging and giving each other shit over more brews.  The short sheeting queen was in the house – yes Leanne the truth is out and Cam was heard catching both his pubes in his zipper as he quickly had to redress in the dark, and the Poynton’s were both seen flicking the sugar from their sheets over other campers in the hope that they might pay back the unknown culprits, oops culprit as there was only one aye Leanne he he.

On the Sunday we were up with the bed wetters again (no names) and headed down to the tower for breakie, only to find some arses had nicked all the bacon and sausages that were thawing on the BBQ trailer.  Hope they choked on the rind, cause I love my rind, and I think the club motto applied “f**k em”. 

The days racing was awesome with highlight including Phantom Marcus getting a 7.5 on his last run he was absolutely stoked, must have been Sharlene’s encouraging words like “about bloody time”.  Also seeing another drag virgin Garth Paton racing the Imperial with a huge smile on his dial, and Tyler taking an extreme disliking to the yellow boxes on the strip, and trying to remove them all in one run.  As for Diana (Tylers fiancée and backup girl) certain members of the crowd couldn’t close their gobs and were seen dribbling uncontrollably as she backed Tyler’s dragster back down the track, they were asked “what colour is the dragster” to which many replied “what dragster?”  But there were unlucky moments too; with John Fleming’s Rattler blowing its diff on the last run – bugger!  And some poor chap blowing this engine on the finish, but it was hilarious watching Nellie taking 12+ members down the track in the limo UP GST to clean up the track – the applause from the audience was deafening. 

Everyone was having a great time, and the VIP stand was packed and rocking as “no nuts Lynne” and “Claire Bear” were run off their feet feeding them, and Nellie entertaining them.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the lunch time entertainment as Nellie took the limo down the track with the drag number SLOW and the track marshals insisted he remove all excess passengers, and eventually all 19 kids (including those in the boot) were ousted out of the limo.

The night fell quickly and again congratulations to all participants and particularly the winners of the Nostalgia drag prizes at the prize giving. 

Being the final night members with what little strength they had left after a long weekend let their hair down.  Unfortunately I succumbed to the power of Muzz’s home brew, and it was “good night nurse” for me very early in the evening, but I did hear stories about Pat’s difficulty missing the rubbish bins whilst parking Gidafi, and about Ken’s lack of recall getting home and yet parking perfectly under the gazebo.

Anyway it was an excellent weekend, and on Monday we were all up and clearing, cleaning, packing and tidying up all sign of our presence and off just after midday keen to get back to our beds and showers at home and sleep.

A huge thank you to all Bay Rodders members for their work over the weekend, and huge thank you to FRAM for such a professional job by people with such huge personalities and to the Hot Rod magazine for their support, and to ALLTRANZ Driver Training for it’s excellent sponsorship, and to all other sponsors and finally to our President and his wife DEANO and CLAIRE ANDERSON and the amazing work they do.

Sponsors

Enterprise Panel & Paint:
Wayne Bishop            (07 542 0842)
Postal address:          39 Enterprise Drive, Papamoa Beach, Papamoa 3118

Trans American Shipping:
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Postal address:          159 Te Puna Road, RD6, Tauranga 3176

Elite Auto Painters:
Clint Davies                 (07 571 5378)
Postal address:           4c Brook Street, Parkvale, Tauranga 3112

Belco Construction:
Mike Bell –                   c/- Joy Robertson
Postal address:          148 Plummers Point Road, RD2, Tauranga 3172

Firestone 15th Ave:
 Waldo                          (07 577 0060)
Postal address:          21 Fifteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112

Software Solutions:
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                                       cathi@xtra.co.nz www.softwaresolutions.co.nz
Postal address:           P.O Box 5534, Mount Maunganui 3150

Bryan Fraser Engineering:
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Postal address:           P.O Box 2377, Seventh Avenue, Tauranga 3140
Physical address:       61 Maleme Street, Greerton Tauranga 3112

Rowe Motors:
Huck                              (07 578 8405)
Postal address:           P.O Box 9204, Greerton, Tauranga 3142
Physical address:       23 Glenlyon Avenue, Greerton, Tauranga 3112

Transport Services:
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Postal address:           P.O Box 354, Te Puke 3153
Physical address:       Bainbridge Ave, Te Puke

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Cameron                       (07 579 4185)
Postal address:           P.O Box 15013,Tauranga 3144
Physical address:       230 Fraser Street. Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112

Classic American Car Restoration:
Steve                              (09 238 6683)
Postal address:           P.O Box 197, Pukekohe 2120
Physical address:       18 Subway Road, Pukekohe 2120

Rotorua V8 Performance & Transmission:
Chuck                            (07 348 9800)
Postal address:           P.O Box 1738, Rotorua 3040
Physical address:       26 View Road, Mangakakahi, Rotorua 3051

Fat Boy Customs:
Keith                              (07 544 1957)
Postal address:           361L Kaitemako Road , RD5, Tauranga 3175

Lindsay Haye Concrete Services:
Lindsay                         (0274 727 331)
Postal address:           P.O Box 1460, Rotorua 3040

New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine:
Postal address:           P.O Box 573, Orewa 0946

New Zealand Rodder / Petrolhead:
Postal address:           P.O Box 76503, Manukau City, Manukau 2241

NZV8 Magazine:
Postal address:           P.O Box 46020, Herne Bay, Auckland 1147

Rock on Nostalgia Drags 2011 – you HAVE to be there!!!  Cathi Barker

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