| New Zealand 2006 |
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January 2006 saw McKern Racing take its first voyage across the Tasman in hope of breaking some New Zealand records and hearts... Damien McKern’s Grump2 RX2 and Wayne Dyson’s RX3 Coupe left an impression on both the 2000 strong crowd at the Rock FM Import Battle and then the tens of thousands which attended the 4 and Rotary Nationals. Both cars arrived in a container from Australia eagerly met by the drivers and crew on the 12 January 2006. The Rock FM Import Battle was held at Champion Dragway, Meremere on the 15 January, and was a great opportunity for the cars to attune to the track and conditions short of the Nationals.Grump2 made two runs for the day achieving a 9.38@177kph (110mph) first run and a 9.13@195kph (121mph) second run. Both trips down the quarter were not an indication of the cars’ speed due to a slight bump at around half track. On both situations, the cars rear wheels would unload just as the power was just getting wound in, unsettling the car and forcing Damien to get off the throttle. However, happy with the progress, Grump2 was rested for the remainder of the day allowing the team to focus on the RX3 of Dyson’s. Initially, Wayne’s RX3 struggled to a 9.30@214kph (133mph) due to an intercooler pipe blowing off. However after a quick repair Wayne registered an 8.55@254kph (159mph) becoming the quickest ever rotary in New Zealand both tubbed and untubbed. Grump2 also grabbed a couple of records for the day. A personal best half track time of 5.60 @ 202kph and also became the quickest 13B rotary powered car in New Zealand. The Performance Car Magazine 4 and Rotary Nationals commenced with the customary car show on the 27th and 28th of January at the Auckland Showgrounds. The two McKern/Dyson cars were put on display which allowed the people of New Zealand to crawl over the Aussie beasts. Around 18,000 people attended the show over the two days ending at around 5 pm on the Saturday to allow the race cars to be transformed and transported to Champion Dragway at Meremere for the drag racing side of the meet. Sunday morning drags commenced with the NZ street cars taking to the strip before the top drag cars were unleashed. Grump2 was first up of the Aussie contingent again registering a 9.36@210kph (131mph) on a solo run. Wayne sooned followed with another 8.55 followed by another. He then reset the national record he holds with an 8.51@254kph (159mph). Grump2 returned with a 9.06@234kph (146mph). The first round of racing saw Grump2 take on the Mazsport RX7 Pro Car of Curren Bros Racing. Grump won with a 9.21@217kph (135mph) against the auto 20B. Wayne also won his first round heat against Tony Markivina’s Tubbed RX3 with an 8.75@246kph (153mph). Second round of eliminations saw Grump2 racing Rod Harvey’s Rayglass Datsun Pro Car. Unfortunately Grump’s 9.03@246kph (153mph) was no good for the record setting Datsun. During that run, the SR20 powered Datsun became the quickest 4 cylinder engine powered car in Australasia with a 7.95@271kph (169mph). Wayne was also eliminated in the second round by the Stu Lawton quad rotor pro car. However it wasn’t due to a loss, a red light ended Wayne’s day allowing the quad rotor to proceed. But the day was not done yet. Having not run an 8 second pass in NZ, Grump2 returned for a grudge match against the Kiwi RE Pro RX7 which earlier in the day had pinched the 13B record from Grump with an 8.90. The race was billed as the Kiwi/Aussie showdown due to both cars powerplants being 13B’s. Unfortunately Grump’s seals in the engine had finally given up just as it passed the finish line but not before running a 9.19@249kph (153mph). But it wasn’t enough to beat Kiwi RE’s challenge of 9.09@245kph (153mph). So as the 4 and Rotary Nationals came to an end, the two aussie cars came, conquered and left with their wheels held high, after taking the fight to the NZ Pro Cars. All in all the venture to New Zealand was a success for McKern racing and a trip next year might be on the cards, if the kiwi’s would them back… |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 13 June 2006 ) |
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