Putting Taupo on the motorsport map
‘‘Being a Speedway girl from a young age, I thought I had some idea of what this hot lap would entail - I was wrong.’’
Being strapped into a V8 Holden Ute, kitted out in race gear was not how I usually spend my Monday mornings.
They are usually spent behind a desk, in front of a laptop, finishing off articles for the next edition.
But this Monday just gone, the desk was swapped for a V8 Ute and two motorsport enthusiasts could find themselves in the same race suit I was just in, strapped into one of the cars.
Next weekend marks round one of the SpeedWorks Motorsport Championship at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park.
I was lucky enough to be invited out to the track to see what all the fuss and excitment about this series is all about.
After a quick chat with some of the key players, I found myself zipping up a race suit and pulling on a helmet before climbing into a Toyota 86 with experienced driver, Martin Short.
Now, being a Speedway girl from a young age, I thought I had some idea of what this hot lap would entail - I was wrong.
Reaching max speeds of 70-80kmh, in a stock standard car on a dirt track with only the left hand turning is nothing compared to the speeds and the quick fire turning of the Toyota 86.
Flying down the straights, hitting speeds higher than 150kmh, only to gear shift down seconds later to take a hairpin right turn, was nothing like I had experienced before.
Short’s experience in the car was evident, his gear shifts were smooth and his tyres never left the track. Three laps was all it took to be hooked to the little beast.
Managing to sneak a quick glance at his dash, I saw the max speed we had reached was 179kmh and the fastest corner speed we had taken was 66kmh.
Leaving that car with the biggest smile on my face, I thought the start to my week couldn’t get any better than that until I found myself in the same race gear, strapped into a V8 Holden Ute sitting next to Brett Rudd.
The differences from the Toyota to the V8 was obvious as soon as I climbed in. There was more roll cage in the Ute and rumble of the engine drowned out my own thoughts.
With other Utes on the track, Rudd gave me first hand experienced of what it would be like if it was actually race time, battling with the other drivers in only eight laps.
Rudd’s experience was also obvious as he pushed his Ute to speeds over 200kmh on the home straight. He never missed a gear and always took the turns smooth and effortlessly.
To say I am in awe of what these drivers can do is an understatement and some lucky motorsport lovers can experience what I have.
The good people at SpeedWorks are giving away two entry tickets to the first round at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park and it comes complete with hot laps. There is a catch though. You won’t know what you will be strapped into until the day. It could be anything, from a muscle car, V8 Ute, and Toyota 86 to a Super Truck, SsangYong, and Porsche.
To enter, visit the Taupo Times Facebook page. ❚ SpeedWorks Motorsport Championship will be on December 10-11 and is the first of eight rounds. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketek. Early bird prices are $45, normal price is $60. Kids under the age of 12 are free.