2012 HRC Icebreaker, Hampton Downs

[nigel watts]

The plan was to go to the Icebreaker meeting on the Sunday.
Check the forecast - starts out dry and turning to showers after 3.00PM - sounds ok to me!
Up at 5.30 - raining in Tauranga - that's ok because it'll be dry over the hill - won't it?
Actually it pretty much rained all the way up to the circuit.
As I drove into the circuit at about 8.30ish it started to fair piss down at which point I was thinking that it might not have been a bad idea to stay in bed - had my raincoat & brolly so what the hell, in I went.
Turned out to be ok once the heavy rain turned to light drizzle.
Enough to keep the track wet and spice up the spectacle a wee bit - and of course the sun came out after lunch.
So, here are the images I made - you'll have to be a bit patient as I've got heaps that I have to work through & process before I upload.
Finally I'd like to say a big "Thank you" to all of the competitors and their teams for turning out. Much appreciated.
Cheers
Nigel

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Race 15 - Arrow Wheels Sports & GT Challenge

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[kiwi285]

Great shots Nigel - keep them coming as time permits.

[nigel watts]

Race 16 - Formula Junior & Historic

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[Lee Tracey]

Race 16 - Formula Junior & Historic

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Are we having fun yet? :)

Thanks for the intrepid work Nigel.

Cheers
Lee

[ERC]

Might have to have a word with messr's Honore (Ferrari) and Roberts (Corvette) as our rules demand some form of front lighting as when racing in handicaps in grubby weather, it isn't always easy to see drivers coming up to overtake. Great pics.

[Kiwiboss]

Great pics Nigel, you could have called me to check conditions, but them we wouldn't have these great shots, well done!!

PS: Didn't realise how wet it was until looking at these pics

Yes Ray, tut tut no rain lights and the race was call "wet" in the morning

Dale M

[EType]

Here's a drivers view:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yNcQoXlFvU

Stewart

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks Nigel, great shots as per the schedule.

[David McKinney]

[QUOTE=nigel watts;18142]Race 16 - Formula Junior & Historic

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Is this a new build? I don't recognise it from period - not with that name, anyway

[RogerH]

[QUOTE=nigel watts;18142]Race 16 - Formula Junior & Historic

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Is this a new build? I don't recognise it from period - not with that name, anyway

Yes its a "newish" build and not a period historic car - HRC allow it in the historic grid but TACCOC won't.

[ERC]

Yes Ray, tut tut no rain lights and the race was call "wet" in the morning

Dale M

MSNZ only require rear rain lights and the flaggies do report drivers who do not have working rear lights. Bruce Manon was penalised last season by the officials but his rear lights were in fact working - though they are not too bright. (I think all the power goes into the engine...)

As most of you know, we are very light on series technical rules, but this is one of the few rules we do have and believe it is a safety issue in bad weather, as many of us have limited rearward visibility. Lights do show up, even through a misted rear screen and wet mirrors. The only other additioanl rule we have is that all cars must have a race harness, even though under MSNZ rules, you can race a standard car with a lap and diagonal belt.

[Steve Holmes]

Nigel, many thanks for making the effort to get to HD and take these. The weather looks miserable! I'd have stayed in bed! Beautiful photos as always Nigel.

[nigel watts]

Thanks Mike, Dale, Rod & Steve
Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Race 24 - Historic Muscle & Under 3000cc Historic Saloons

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[Snoozin]

Great shots!

If it's ok, here's a link to some I took on the Saturday only (unable to make it Sunday!).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/sets/72157631539013798/

[Rex Bentham]

Well done Nigel & Co, great photos. Anyone brave enough to stand out in that weather with an expensive piece of electronics deserves a medal!! What the track photos don't show is the presentation of most of those cars, especially in the Muscle Car grid. Both inside and out they are immaculate, and a credit to the guys doing the work. I'm glad our races were scheduled so we could watch them on the
track. Also some very good times, especially when the track dried out. Bring on more of that!!

Rex

[Snoozin]

Hey Nigel, what kind of gear are you using? They're nice sharp images :) Would love to have a yarn sometime trackside.

[nigel watts]

Hey Nigel, what kind of gear are you using? They're nice sharp images :) Would love to have a yarn sometime trackside.

Hi Richy,
I'm using the same outfit as you - 7D with 70-300L
It's a great combo
Cheers
Nigel

p.s. You know me as spooky21 on Flickr!!

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Race 18 - Super Historics & Formula Suzuki
The wet track kept most competitors in the pits

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[Steve Holmes]

I love those Swift DB4s. I thought they looked great when they were new, and still do now.

[nigel watts]

I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the BMW boys. I'm always blown away by the volume of entries. Imagine the Icebreaker if they hadn't been there!
I remember when the E30 series was first introduced the state of the field deteriorated as the races progressed and soon there would be several cars with bits hanging off and missing altogether.
Things have calmed down a lot since then and now we have full grids and close racing.
So whilst the BMW's don't fit the criteria for the Roaring Season, I've made a small Photobucket album so those who are interested can have a squizz.
http://s831.photobucket.com/albums/zz236/21spooky/2012%20Icebreaker%20-%20BMW/?albumview=slideshow

[ERC]

BMWs are now an integral part of the local classic scene and they have transformd the classic meetings. I do understand your point about possibly not fitting the criteria for Roaring Season. The E30's for me, being an identical one make series, may be good racing for the participants, but for a photographer with an interest in variety of make and model, they leave me cold.

With potentially 4 race groups though, meetings are swamped with BMWs and although the older ones such as 635s, 2002s etc qualify for AES and Arrows, we have made a concession to lift the qualifying age for our groups to include post 1977 cars (including E30s) provided they choose one group or the other. That means if you see an E30 in AES or Arrows, it won't be racing with the E30s.

The explosion of interest in E30s has possibly diverted some drivers away from more traditiinial classics, but we have to accept that the supply of parts for traditional or older classics is getting harder, so we opted to move the qualifying dates rather than see shrinking fields.

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[Steve Holmes]

Looks like the weather got better and better Nigel.

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[nigel watts]

Looks like the weather got better and better Nigel.

It certainly did - ended up in sunshine - T shirt weather

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