Mr McKay's (NZ) Diary - Page 3

Colin McKay · 12 Feb 2017, 08:57 (Ref:3711651)

Penultimate round completed at Timaru, just Teretonga left next weekend. Timaru feels a bit like castle combe, limited facilities and grass paddocks but the track is very different, only grass run offs and a fairly narrow windy circuit. A bit frustrating at times with few good overtaking opportunities so you do have to bully your way round a bit. Car still going ok despite my best efforts at spannering, in fact I'm allowing myself a few more revs as we're getting near the end and it makes a big difference. I now have Zef's word that this will do no harm

Starter still being unpredictable and the clutch lost a pot full of fluid again, but only once and seems to have cured itself. Happy to live with these niggles if that's the worst we have.
When you're filling out your UK race entries this season try comparing prices with this...£210 bought a practice session, qually, 5 races, 2 buffet lunches, 1 ticket for a sit down evening meal, dancing and free bar and afternoon tea & cakes both days. Not bad eh?

**Mike Bell** · 12 Feb 2017, 10:46 (Ref:3711684)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

When you're filling out your UK race entries this season try comparing prices with this...£210 bought a practice session, qually, 5 races, 2 buffet lunches, 1 ticket for a sit down evening meal, dancing and free bar and afternoon tea & cakes both days. Not bad eh?

Yes. Not a day trip from here though, Colin!

Hope you're having a fantastic trip despite the car niggles, and Mrs McKay is actually getting a holiday as well.....

zefarelly · 12 Feb 2017, 16:35 (Ref:3711706)

Sounds great Colin!

Cliff Ryan · 13 Feb 2017, 18:53 (Ref:3711893)

What a fantastic experience Colin, enjoy!

racerkeke · 15 Feb 2017, 04:08 (Ref:3712281)

Sounds like so much fun! Please say hi to my brother Doug from Canada, in the little #943 Canada Class. The guys from Delta will remember him when he came over to England for Brands Hatch, Goodwood Revival and then Spa in -- gosh, was it 2011? Now that he's retired, he has time to do all the fun races he's always wanted to do.

Colin McKay · 15 Feb 2017, 04:18 (Ref:3712284)

I'll seek him out! I'm also recently retired and now have the time to do this sort of thing, but probably not the wherewithal...... dreading the bank statement waiting for me on my return

**Mike Bell** · 15 Feb 2017, 06:03 (Ref:3712304)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

I'll seek him out! I'm also recently retired and now have the time to do this sort of thing, but probably not the wherewithal...... dreading the bank statement waiting for me on my return

Keep repeating to yourself- 'You can't take it with you', or 'You're only young once'......

Gerard C · 15 Feb 2017, 07:27 (Ref:3712326)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Keep repeating to yourself- 'You can't take it with you', or 'You're only young once'......

Mike I dont know Colin and have very few chances to meet him unfortunately.
He just looks fantastic to my eyes, a modern hero racing a classic car. Sitting right in the middle of "If youth new, if old age could"!

Quelle aventure fantastique, Monsieur Mc Kay!

delta · 15 Feb 2017, 08:57 (Ref:3712350)

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerkeke

Sounds like so much fun! Please say hi to my brother Doug from Canada, in the little #943 Canada Class. The guys from Delta will remember him when he came over to England for Brands Hatch, Goodwood Revival and then Spa in -- gosh, was it 2011? Now that he's retired, he has time to do all the fun races he's always wanted to do.

We had a great time with Doug and Scooter was it that long ago.. Just wish I had gone now to NZ. Getting fed up hearing about the good time they are all having. I mean really fed up.!!!

Colin McKay · 15 Feb 2017, 19:54 (Ref:3712456)

Gerard, I've been called many things but never a hero! That accolade should go to Mrs M who volunteered to live in a small tin box on wheels for 6 weeks, and put up with my race day tantrums!
Iain, you would have both loved and hated it... loved it because the place is full of petrolheads and hated it because there's been nothing much to do, no point getting up before 9 even on some racedays!!!

grantp · 15 Feb 2017, 20:50 (Ref:3712461)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

Gerard, I've been called many things but never a hero! That accolade should go to Mrs M who volunteered to live in a small tin box on wheels for 6 weeks, and put up with my race day tantrums!
Iain, you would have both loved and hated it... loved it because the place is full of petrolheads and hated it because there's been nothing much to do, no point getting up before 9 even on some racedays!!!

Colin, you're meant to stay up and enjoy the star filled skies at night.

https://www.facebook.com/RobDickinsonPhotography

Then sleep during the day - because there is nothing to do.

Colin McKay · 17 Feb 2017, 07:20 (Ref:3712774)

There is, of course, plenty to do. Just no pressing urgency to do it!
Currently at Teretonga circuit near Invercargill, allegedly the southernmost race track in the world. Having been told it's always cold and wet (which I was hoping for so I might stand half a chance) we have had clear skies and 30 degrees today, the locals think it's great but I've been plunged into despondency! Another weekend trailing round at the back I expect

Yours sincerely

Eeyore

Colin McKay · 18 Feb 2017, 08:42 (Ref:3712992)

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerkeke

Sounds like so much fun! Please say hi to my brother Doug from Canada, in the little #943 Canada Class. The guys from Delta will remember him when he came over to England for Brands Hatch, Goodwood Revival and then Spa in -- gosh, was it 2011? Now that he's retired, he has time to do all the fun races he's always wanted to do.

Job done! It was 2010 by the way.

delta · 18 Feb 2017, 10:19 (Ref:3713002)

Thank goodness for that.

Colin McKay · 19 Feb 2017, 22:07 (Ref:3713230)

Well, all over and all in one piece albeit with a slightly modified nose from lap 1, race 1, 20 races, 7 practice sessions and 5 quallys ago.
Zef's engine never missed a beat although it wasn't particularly happy running on avgas which I had to resort to for the last couple of races as no 98 available south of Dunedin. Apart from the mishaps on day 1 (split sump & oil cooler) it consumed a grand total of just 250ml oil.
Iain's brilliant prep meant the only issues I had to deal with were a dodgy starter and clutch hydraulics, both of which were intermittent and was able to live with. When you consider that the car was an unknown quantity before the rebuild and we only managed 2.5 races with it last year, I reckon that's a pretty amazing result!
It wasn't all plain sailing, the first weekend was a trial of perseverance...but the biggest adrenalin rush came at Teretonga last Thursday when I was sitting in the car as we backed it off the top deck of the container and one of the ramps fell off - I can confirm the weight is a perfect 50/50 balance between front right and left rear. Only a small scuff on the bodywork and change of underwear for the guy watching me back who could have easily ended up underneath. Motorsport is dangerous they say.....
As for the driver, well I've had enormous fun, been bowled over by the generosity of other FJ folk and Kiwis in particular and learnt a helluva lot about the car which will be put to very good use when the proper engine goes in......then we can start breaking half shafts like everyone else!
I'll post some pics when I get home in a week or so.