GRAND FINAL

The final round of the 2016–’17 Enzed Central Muscle Cars presented another wet and slippery track surface and more excitement than you could wave a stick at

It generally rains so much when Enzed Central Muscle Cars (CMC) arranges a race meeting that MetService is now calling CMC to find out when the cars are racing so it can advise the public that it’s going to be wet. Well, maybe we are saying that a bit tongue in cheek, but, seriously, this season has seen more wet tyres on CMC cars than any other for a long, long time. CMC has used the Easter meeting at Taupo as its finale for a number of years now. Having a public holiday on the Monday makes it a little less stressful for people trying to get back to work. As usual, the Friday was practice day. Most took part, although Paul Clarke’s Mustang was unfortunate enough to suffer some engine issues, rendering it unable to compete for the rest of the meeting. Janine Douglas’ Commodore was another that had engine issues, and it, too, was parked up for the weekend. Tony Barrow’s Commodore sheared a number of teeth off the crown wheel, although he managed to get it sorted and was out racing on Saturday. Saturday morning was wet, which was really no surprise considering the weather warnings that were in place for the weekend. CMC was the first class out for qualifying, so that meant no dry lines had been created by other classes. Dean Perkins, in his usual fashion, claimed the quickest qualifying time, with newcomer Hugh Gardiner coming in second quickest in his ’70 Camaro, and John Midgley a close third.

RACE one

The usual CMC club format is two 10-lap scratch races and two eight-lap handicap races over the weekend, evening things out a little for the slower cars. With race one being a scratch race, the fastest cars were off the front of the grid. Some in the crowd ended up calling it the race of the season, with Perkins, Midgley, and Greg Honnor all swapping positions over the course of the race at least four or five times each. The spectators were on their feet! Ultimately, it was Perkins who was victorious, with Honnor in close pursuit, and Midgley third across the line, followed by Steve Ross, Bruce Anderson, and Gardiner in the next bunch. Tristan Teki was the first Group 2 racer across the line.

RACE two

This reverse-grid race saw Barrow off the start line first, and that’s where he stayed for the entire race — although he did break out and was relegated back to sixth as a result. Andrew Sinclair, also of Group 2, was next across the line, with Tony Galbraith in third. Class newbie Gardiner found himself in a tussle with Steve Ross, and a bit of a nudge forced Steve to retire. Bruce Kett and Ian Easton also had a coming together, although both managed to finish the race — unlike the unfortunate Ross Graham; with smoke coming from a leak in the sump, he didn’t make it out for the balance of the meeting.

RACE three

This was another handicap race, with Paul Boden first off the line. Boden led for almost half the race before Kett hauled him in and passed for the race win. However, with the club’s breakout rules at play once again, Kett was officially pushed back to fifth. Steve Scoles was second across the line, followed closely by Bruce Dreadon. Honnor, Easton, and Galbraith were in the next bunch. Alan Pearce, a Taupo local, had a small excursion onto the grass, and Boden suffered engine issues down the back straight on the last lap, with plumes of smoke and the odd flame coming out from under the car. Midgley nudged Anderson, which sent Anderson off onto the grass.

THE DRIVERS WILL NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TIDY UP THEIR CARS TO BE READY FOR THE START OF NEXT SEASON

RACE four

The last race of the 2016–’17 season was upon us, and Honnor got a blinder of a start off the line, leading the way. His lead was to be short-lived, though, with a slight wobble and a small stint on the grass, at which point Perkins passed him and held onto the lead from then on. Galbraith was having his best race of the weekend, working his way up through the pack, and Midgley was doing the same. Tony Boyden wasn’t so lucky, and was forced off the track on turn one, ultimately having to make his way back into the pits as a result. Perkins crossed the line in first, Midgley second, and Galbraith was in third place. Steve Noyer was the first home in Group 2. Unfortunately, there was a bit of contact over the weekend — perhaps more than the class has seen for some time. However, with the end of the season upon them, the drivers will now have the opportunity to tidy up their cars to be ready for the start of next season. Final points are still being tallied up and will be out soon. Congratulations to the race winners and to the season’s winners. The club’s AGM will be held in Wellington this year, which is when the club will decide on next season’s calendar. It is likely that it will include a trip to the South Island in the early part of 2018. CMC would like to take this opportunity to thank its sponsors for this year: Enzed, Hankook, and magazine, which have all helped make it an enjoyable season’s racing.