Mr McKay's (NZ) Diary

Colin McKay · 12 Jan 2017, 21:42 (Ref:3702198)

Bloody lorry drivers

I'm hanging up my keys (temporarily) and joining the Formula Junior guys in New Zealand for a few weeks in the sun. I'll try and post some pics when I can but between race weekends we'll be heading for the hills and doing a bit of upside down trekking so internet access might be a bit patchy. Big adventure for me and Mrs M, unlike the rest of you globetrotting racers!

**Mike Bell** · 13 Jan 2017, 05:23 (Ref:3702255)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

Bloody lorry drivers

I'm hanging up my keys (temporarily) and joining the Formula Junior guys in New Zealand for a few weeks in the sun. I'll try and post some pics when I can but between race weekends we'll be heading for the hills and doing a bit of upside down trekking so internet access might be a bit patchy. Big adventure for me and Mrs M, unlike the rest of you globetrotting racers!

Colin, hope you and Mrs M have a super time! Go well and enjoy.

We're not even the slightest bit envious.....

Colin McKay · 20 Jan 2017, 06:28 (Ref:3703714)

Excuse shorthand style......Day 2 at Hampton Downs (I'd rather forget about day 1 as we acquired a split in the sump somewhere between the container and paddock. Not popular as my gallon of Millers spread itself around the paddock in a biblical rainstorm) After chasing around to beg & borrow, the epoxy fix failed overnight and so had to take sump off and go in search of Andy (everyone knows Andy) who runs the Delta franchise in NZ

Missed practice and made qually with a minute to spare. Easypeasy, not. Just followed the slowest cars round and enjoyed the drive. Car going well and bone dry underneath. Fabulous circuit, very technical and some lovely corners (or will be,once I sort them out). The facilities match anything Europe has to offer but spotless as well and everyone incredibly friendly and helpful. Scrutineering was a bit err, easygoing, will explain another time. Tomorrow's challenge is repatriating all the tools that were lent. One guy was quite prepared to trailer the car 50 miles to his home to try and fix the sump.

Hundreds of V8s thundering round so noise levels intense all day, our little Juniors are looked on as rather cute!
Race day tomorrow, 2 races Sat & 2 on Sunday. 5 meetings = 20 races + 5 practice + 5 qually. Will have to go looking for Dunlop shop!!! Sorry, can't work out how to add pics on phone, never a 5 year old around when you need one.

Colin McKay · 21 Jan 2017, 07:41 (Ref:3704013)

Hampton Downs, Race 2. Good start. Made 5 places. Turn 2 there were 2 spinners, cars in all directions, I hit one, carried on, spun on own oil and retired. Not even half a lap! Nosecone badly scrunched, oil cooler split. Before we even got off the tow truck there were guys asking if they could help. Panelbeater showed up with loads of tools and did an amazing job considering the damage7 while someone's wife drove me 20 miles to get a new cooler. Long story short, heavily modified car started race 2 with a minute to spare (becoming a habit is this) & finished 24th/26. Ready for the morning, forecast is biblical rain! Other than that a lovely sunny day today ;-) Now 9pm and raining/blowing hard. Kiwi racers all talking about snow at Brands Hatch???

delta · 21 Jan 2017, 08:00 (Ref:3704016)

Blooming heck Mc Kay let you loose on your own and look what happens . Keep going and we'll done .

**Peter Mallett** · 21 Jan 2017, 08:33 (Ref:3704021)

Yup keep going bloke.

grantp · 21 Jan 2017, 09:24 (Ref:3704031)

Colin, sounds like you might need to consider having some spare bodywork and other items flown out to you next week - assuming you survive the rain.

On a strategy note .... have you considered a slow start, caution on the first lap as everyone has their incidents, gain 5 places plus any you may have lost at the start, and then have a decent charge to the flag?

Plan B would be as above for the first lap then await the appearance of the leaders in your mirrors at which point your sump or cooler fixes might just happen to have a short failure and cause the faster cars some problems.

Handled expertly and with the task completed without anyone lapping you, you go on to win the race.

Just a thought.

Might upset the helpful locals of course ....

Good luck for the morrow and remember that an sudden sever vibration might be a mechanical problem but equally could just be an earthquake. If the track starts to change shape it's probably the latter. Ignore it and carry on of course.

bauble · 21 Jan 2017, 10:40 (Ref:3704038)

I wonder what sort of impression the Aussies have of English racing drivers following Colin's adventures Down Under?

Maybe with his surname they may take him to be a compatriot of Andy Murray

gary396 · 21 Jan 2017, 10:55 (Ref:3704041)

I think Colin's in New Zealand isn't he? So Kiwis not Aussies - different altogether Bauble.

**Mike Bell** · 21 Jan 2017, 10:58 (Ref:3704042)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bauble

I wonder what sort of impression the Aussies have of English racing drivers following Colin's adventures Down Under?

Hopefully Colin isn't the 'lone Brit' racing down under at the moment! Sorry to hear about the rain though- maybe that's why NZ always looks so green in pics....

Quote:

Originally Posted by bauble

Personally I would love a copy of both Mike, if you can afford a) The price(s) and b) To wait for repayment until we next meet, or add P&P., although I would be in no rush to receive the items.

I'll see what is on the shelf Monday. The Gordini book wasn't reduced to same level as the V16 tome, so I'll get more detail (+ author etc) and PM you after doing so.

OK?

John Elwin · 21 Jan 2017, 12:04 (Ref:3704054)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Hopefully Colin isn't the 'lone Brit' racing down under at the moment! Sorry to hear about the rain though- maybe that's why NZ always looks so green in pics....

I'll see what is on the shelf Monday. The Gordini book wasn't reduced to same level as the V16 tome, so I'll get more detail (+ author etc) and PM you after doing so.

OK?

Didn't mean to turn you into an international book dealer, Mike!

I imagine the Gordini book is Roy Smith's well-regarded tome, published by Veloce, as I don't think there is much else on the subject in English. Having had my copy for nearly a year, I finally pealed the cellophane wrapper off just now & had a quick flick of the pages. It certainly seems to be comprehensive, with plenty of pictures, statistics etc.

bauble · 21 Jan 2017, 13:49 (Ref:3704073)

Quote:

I think Colin's in New Zealand isn't he? So Kiwis not Aussies - different altogether Bauble. ]

I did not realise they were different places, surely they are all 'down there'?

I hate pedants.

Colin McKay · 21 Jan 2017, 23:21 (Ref:3704149)

HEAVY rain overnight + lots of local wind damage. Wet/drying track which the car likes but I don't. Good clean race spolit by long SC period to flag otherwise should have made 1 more place at least. Started 24th finished 10th. Getting there

Not doing last race, giving car a rest, 20 more to go. Good decision as it happens, as I write this monsoon just hit with cars in assembly. Off to Taupo now for next weekend.

**John Turner** · 21 Jan 2017, 23:25 (Ref:3704151)

Great stuff, Colin. I'm wondering whether we should have a thread called 'Driver's Diary'

**Mike Bell** · 22 Jan 2017, 06:31 (Ref:3704184)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

HEAVY rain overnight + lots of local wind damage. Wet/drying track which the car likes but I don't. Good clean race spolit by long SC period to flag otherwise should have made 1 more place at least. Started 24th finished 10th. Getting there

Not doing last race, giving car a rest, 20 more to go. Good decision as it happens, as I write this monsoon just hit with cars in assembly. Off to Taupo now for next weekend.

Well done Colin! Did you take storm clothing?

Sounds like a couple of season's racing in a few weeks......