Kiwi team at Nurburgring - Top third in the world

[OLLIE 26]

New Zealand's only race team in the 24 hour race in Germany have done the unimaginable by not only bettering their debut result but recording a competitive finish for both team's race cars.

Contested at the Nurburgring Formula One venue, the combined Nordschleife circuit creates the longest race track in the world with 220 cars starting Saturday afternoon's race – the Kiwi's finishing in 60th and 68th places.

A production car race with 864 drivers from 29 countries, over 200,000 spectators and a television audience in excess of 100 million, the Kiwi's were again proud to have travelled the furtherest.

Qualifying 164th and 166th fastest time on Friday, the start to the race was postponed when a heavy thunderstorm flooded parts of the circuit. With racing underway nearly two hours later the mayhem and challenges placed before the eight driver team left many shaken at the worldly experience.

Surviving the opening skirmishes in the pair of identical Honda Civic Type-R race cars – consistent lap times and pit-stop routine had them running as high as 71st when many teams had to pit to change the tyre style. Running Yokohama A048 tyres was a planned strategy by the Kiwi team – who have upstaged many more experienced teams with their attention to detail and contingency planning. The multi-purpose tyre allowed them to be competitive in all weather conditions – however what ensued was beyond the realm of practicality.

At 4am in the morning the race was stopped – thick fog saw 25 cars lose their way on one lap alone. For the Kiwi Team Nurburgring cars, they reported slowing down to speeds of 30km/h in order to stay trackside.

With racing resuming five hours later, it allowed many of the teams with damaged cars to retrieve them from around the circuit, and return them to the grid. Meanwhile the team's two cars sat alone in pit lane – not needing any attention – and only received a wash to return them to pristine glory.

Reliably circulating without missing a moment, the eight driver line-up progressively worked through their shifts – John McIntyre and Stuart Owers the drivers to take the chequered flag at 4:51pm on the Sunday.

"It's really hard to believe what we've been through – all those crazy moments like the rain, the fog – it all seems ages ago," said John McIntyre. "But the fog on my last night driving stint was the most difficult – it's one of those things in life you'll never get challenged with other than at a race like this."

"But it's not just the circuit; it's the weather and largely, the actions of the other competitors also. We're playing in their backyard – and it's totally different to what we're used to in New Zealand."

"It's definitely a special moment. Not only to have started the race but to have finished also – as well as that night stint in the fog. But most of all – to have finished both the 24hour races I've driven with the team here – and to have both cars come home. I guess a lot of it is luck, but so much of it is preparation and teamwork. That's where Richard and Craig Field are owed so much – along with Paddy Casey and the boys – for all their efforts in getting everything so well prepared we could take on the world's best like this and beat so many better teams."

Owner of the team, Auckland's Dr Greg Taylor, and one of the eight drivers, was humbled by his team's achievements in its second ever year: "Good times, good mates, a good team - a great team – a real nucleus of expertise."

"The key to speed is the Swedish flick – according to Timmy (Martin) – but it's all about planning – having a good crop of drivers with a team to match. They coped very well with all the conditions from the 30deg heat, the fog, minimal sleep and even the rain – everyone has been tested. It's really a proud moment when you can say as a Kiwi you've placed in the top third of an international series with the cars we run – it's really a measured accomplishment."

Taking the first of the Kiwi Team Nurburgring cars across the finish line was Wellington's Stuart Owers in car #221: "It was the icing on the cake really – the guys just did so much and as drivers we put in an amazingly consistent effort."

"It's a very emotional experience – to see the crowd really touches you – they are so happy, so passionate."

The idea of trekking across the equator to the northern hemisphere venue in Germany, was a far-fetched dream by Dr Taylor – who can now boast a finishing record better than many of the fancied factory team efforts.

Following tonight's prizegiving function, where they will be awarded 1st and 2nd in the Group N category, the team will return to the circuit tomorrow (Monday) to complete packing the shipping container to return the cars to New Zealand.

The eight drivers in this year's team include two MotorSport New Zealand champions: Nelson's John McIntyre (NZV8s) and Auckland's Brian McGovern (Bridgestone Porsche). The six remaining drivers are: Dr Greg Taylor (Auckland), Tim Martin (Auckland), Gene Rollinson (Auckland), Michael Eden (Wanganui), Rhys McKay (Auckland) and Stuart Owers (Wellington).

Support for Kiwi Team Nurburgring comes from: www.cosmeticart.co.nz, Advan Yokohama Tyres, Pengellys World Transport Specialists, GDM Group, www.wanganui.com, Racetech Seats, Oracal, Hella NZ, Spies Hecker, Smith and Smith Glass, CarGlass, Resene and Makita.

Source www.nzmotorsport.co.nz

[drifty325i 0]

man thats awesome work

[Andrew 30]

Bloody good effort.