STILL IN A DAZE
STREET MEAT’S 2K18 GLORY DAZE
Of, late it seems that no one in the scene can catch a break when it comes to running events, as, all too often, we are being greeted with a shit storm rolling in for the weekend. But this is New Zealand, and if you’re scared off by a little rain then perhaps a shift in climate should be considered. The boys and girls behind Street Meat Glory Daze weren’t going to take it lying down, with a last-minute format change ensuring that what has become one of the country’s best skid parties would rage with the full force of the Christchurch car scene.
While the on-track shenanigans went on more or less unhindered, it was Sunday’s Show N Pine that was quickly shifted to Saturday to ensure that Mike Pero Motorsport Park’s outer grounds would remain filled with the lower island’s finest, and even the odd North Island GCs that made the trek south. While standing around getting soaked is no one’s ideal, you have to make do. And the Car Limbo certainly did not fail to bring some laughs.
Auckland-based Fritz Leaning and his super-slammed quad-rotor FD from the cover of NZPC Issue No. 250 had made the road trip south alongside a good contingent of Yung City Boys (YCB) and Circle Jerk Crew (CJC) guys. Fritz would take out the Non-Convertible class, while the Convertible class was won by a slant-roofed MX-5 that had a roof height barely a half metre off the tarmac, utilizing a good extra 10 bodies to take the lowest spot.
But on track was where the real action was being thrown down, the Street Meat team opting for a new format on Saturday designed to push drivers’ skill levels, with the day dedicated to running drift trains only. No passengers, no show boating, and no bullshit, it was all about door banging while your own door was being banged on. Drivers were sent out in groups of 15, and, as the track dried towards the afternoon, they began pushing harder and harder, delivering plenty of awesome! The risky format change proved to be a hit with drivers and spectators alike.
“Lots of drivers talk a big game about banging doors with their mates, then, come the event, they get sidetracked taking rides, and showing off to girls. This way, they had no choice,” explained organizer Jonny Martin.
Standouts on Saturday included the train maestro Mark O’Hara, who was back in the seat of his 180SX after a two-year hiatus — not that it showed, as he led plenty of trains, slowing things up when needed to keep drivers tight. Team Gusto and Team 732 also put on a great show of wheelmanship.