By Wendy Gow
What a day! My first ever autocross meeting and what a way to start! A small field of 10 drivers came out to Shane Thornley’s paddock (a big thanks to him) to help him churn up his thistles!
The weather started off cool, but heated up during the day. The track was tight and slippery – enough said!
Run 1 saw Paul Cox, driving his Toyota Starlet, win Best Trick of the Day, taking out one cone on his first lap and stood it back up on the second lap! Neat trick! Shane Thornley set the pace for this run with a scorching 2.56.70.
Run 2 everyone went up a notch. producing some much faster times. Paul Cox took charge of the pace, hooning through the thistles to produce a time of 2.40.70 hotly pursued by Drew Jeffrey. Paul got 2nd in class and 5th overall. I was elated having bettered my first run and still being on four wheels!!
Run 3 was the cruncher! Stacey decided to throw a spanner in the works by reversing the track!! Talk about a challenge for the rooky, just when I thought I had got the track sussed!! Daniel Powell in his Lancer GSR, took the time for this run with a blistering 2.37.26.
After tidying up the track with the help of the Thornley kids and everyone else, we headed to the Hororata Pub for a well earned drink and prize giving. Brent Tiney took out the honours for the day and he also acted as time keeper and scrutineer. As always Stacey and Drew Jeffrey had everything under control and organised. Thank you guys.
It was a great day, thoroughly enjoyed by the everyone who came and I want to thank everyone for welcoming me to my first autocross and giving me so much encouragement. I WILL BE BACK!!!