5th and 6th of March, 2005
Champion Dragway, Meremere, New Zealand.
( By Ian Hilder)
This was the first meeting which The Outback Seven would attend, and everyone was looking forward to it.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Australian bikes the day they were unloaded at Stud Welding NZ’s premises in Pokeno. Darwin’s Margie Hoggard had flown over almost two weeks ahead of most others, and with the help SWNZ’s Athol Williams, unloaded the container on Saturday 26 Feb. There was some movement in the container during the trip from Darwin, but fortunately damage was largely superficial, with the exception of a broken fairing blade, which was easily replaced.
Saturday 5 March dawned wet in Auckland, but the day soon cleared, and by the time the track opened at Meremere it was hot and humid. Well, hot for New Zealand…
I had Aussie guests of my own, whom arrived on the 3rd of March, whom had my bike in bits on 4 March, so much so a quick phone call home had Ngaire telling me “they have your bike in a million pieces, you’ll have to take it to the track in a sack”!
Ian Hilder’s bike receiving some “Australian attention” from Bob Castle. Note the high tech workshop (the bigger the problem, the bigger the hammer)!
Saturday at Meremere saw something very unusual in New Zealand….19 bikes lining up to qualify for a 16 bike field!
The line up was great, but there was a fair bit of carnage on the Saturday, the damage list went something like this:
Chris Mackrell’s Suzuki (NZ) Broken gearbox during first burnout.
Ian Hilder’s Suzuki (NZ) Broken valve and hole in #4 piston on first run.
Steve Paris’ Suzuki (AUS) Broken Gearbox second run.
Colin Sainsbury (AUST)’s Kawasaki Broken Gearbox
Ian Taylor (NZ)’s Kawasaki Electronic injection problems.
Ross Buchanan (NZ)’s Harley Blown Head Gasket
Ross smokes the bag prior to another head gasket crying “too much”
The above damage excluded, there were some really good qualifying performances. Standouts for New Zealand were Ken Stolpman’s A/Pro Suzuki, and for Australia Greg “Dude” Taylor’s A/MB (Modified Bike) Suzuki. By Saturday evening, the qualifying order ended up like this
(classes are noted in the NZDRA class each bike was running in):
| 1) | Ken Stolpman (Cockle Bay, NZ), A/PRO | 8.505 | |
| 2) | Greg Taylor(Alice Springs, AUS), A/DB | 8.665 | |
| 3) | Glenn Johnstone (Christchurch, NZ), B/SB | 10.948 | |
| 4) | Derek Kenny (Hamilton, NZ), B/SB | 11.263 | |
| 5) | Steve Paris (Darwin, AUS), A/DB | 9.058 | |
| 6) | Mick Murray (Jingili AUS), A/PCB | 9.823 | |
| 7) | Margie Hoggard (Darwin, AUS), A/DB | 9.562 | |
| 8) | Gary Beaumont (Lower Hutt, NZ), A/PCB | 10.028 | |
| 9) | Clive Mainland (Wulagi AUS), AA/DB | 9.045 | |
| 10) | Ian Taylor (Wellington, NZ), BB/DB | 12.313 | |
| 11) | Tristan Scalmer (Nelson, NZ),A/PRO | 10.047 | |
| 12) | Ian Hilder, (Auckland, NZ), A/DB | 10.603 | |
| 13) | Colin-Baldy- Sainsbury (Darwin I think, AUS) A/DB | 10.908 | |
| 14) | Ian Wilkins (Glenfield, NZ) AA/DB | 10.502 | |
| 15) | Trina Hilton (Pukekohe, NZ), A/PCB | 12.481 | |
| 16) | Steve Green (Levin, NZ), DD/DB | 17.647 |
From all the damage that occurred on Saturday, there was some midnight oil burnt for some crews, including myself. On getting the bike home, we (Bob, Garry, Shane and myself) ripped the head off, only to find a valve stem had holed #1 piston. Buggar!
At this stage I thought that was my weekend not to mention my season was over. However, after spying my spare cylinder head (not so flash but none the less all ready to go), my Aussie mates had different ideas. Soon enough we were back in the car and on the way to Flotech, and Gary welded up the piston. I milled the valve pockets back in (sort of). She was rough, but the hole was gone (Bob and Shane are builders, so I suppose I was just lucky they didn’t wack a wooden plug in the hole and ask me for some heat resistant paint). I finally went to bed at 1.30am Sunday morning, the others worked until 3 a.m. dialling in cams. I fitted the exhaust in the morning and it was back on the trailer and off to the track to try again.
Team Hays’ Dave drove back to my place Saturday arvo, to collect a gearbox, whilst Chris Mackrell and team (Darrell, Roger, Mary and Jenny) emptied a Champion Dragway rubbish bin, turned it into a trackside workbench (would you like a vice with that?) by tuning it upside down in their pit, pulled the bottom case off, in time for Dave to arrive back with the new box, and they had the bike running again by 11pm. What a team – still hours of good drinking time left! Unfortunately, as Chris had not actually made a pass on the Saturday, he failed to qualify and was not in competition on the Sunday, doing exhibition runs at the back of the field. I did hear a rumour he was doing exhibition runs of another kind on the Saturday night, but that’s another storey. However, for the absolute truth just email me at chriswasntreallyridingnaked@goodstorey.com and I’ll see what the rumour machine can dream up.
Unfortunately, for Australia’s Steve Paris, Colin Sainsbury, and New Zealand’s Ross Buchanan and Team Hays Racing, the storey (true or otherwise) wasn’t so good, they were all unable to repair in time and had to settle for being spectators on the Sunday.
Athol Williams assisting Darwin’s Steve Paris on the start line
Colin “Baldy” Sainsbury (Aus) about to launch his Kawasaki
6th of March 2005 – RACE DAY ELIMINATIONS
Unlike the Saturday, Sunday dawned near perfect, and hot and sunny, and humid was the weather for the day – great!
First up was Ian Taylor (NZ)’s Kawasaki against Greg Taylor (AUS)’s Suzuki. Ian recorded the win with a 13.395 against Greg’s 34.792. Greg - us kiwis are slow but were not THAT slow –open the throttle next time!
The fastest Aussie by far, Greg Taylor launches hard.
Second pair was Margie Hoggard (AUS) against Tristan Scalmer (NZ)’s Suzuki. Tristan got a bit keen and handed Margie the win at the start line with a 0.394 reaction time, whilst Margie cracked out a respectable 9.684 on her 1170cc Suzuki. Probably just as well the time was good Margie…...you tried to triple Tristan’s reaction time with a 0.941 of your own!
Kiwi - Tristan Scalmer
Kiwi - Chris Mackrell AA/DB
Third out was myself riding for NZ (or AUS if their winning) and my Suzuki, against Mick Murray (AUS) on his Harley. This was a nervous race for me, I didn’t know if the thing was even gonna make it to the end of the track. But it did, with the misfire that had plagued the engine since April 2004 all gone, and I took the win with a personal best ever of 8.392 (reaction 0.451), against Mick’s 9.739 (reaction 0.475).
Mick Murray (Aus) does a strong burnout on his A/PCB
Kiwis - Orb Morbey v6 Buick & Ken Stolpman
Trina Hilton (NZ)’s Buell soloed to a 12.539 win and advance to the next round.
Derek Kenny had dusted off the Honda, and ran a 11.303 to record the win against Ian Wilkins’ Kosman Funny Bike and a 11.39. Ian cut a 0.485 light whilst Derek had a
“cup ‘o’ tea” prior to his 0.879 light.
Next out was Clive Mainland (AUS) who got the NOS Kawasaki smokin’ a bit harder with a winning 9.282 (0.535 reaction) against Gary Beaumont (NZ)’s (No Time). Actually, Gary did get one time and that was his reaction time, a 1.395 green light!
Gary – this is Nationals drag racing not the local primary school knitting champs – the light has been green for bloody ages! There is a reaction time tester on this website – get some practice in mate!
Clive Mainland smokes the hide good and proper
Last pair for round 1 was number 1 qualifier Ken “I run petrol & carbs mate” Stolpman (NZ)’s Suzuki, up against Steve Green (NZ)’s Yamaha. Ken dropped the clutch in 0.709 seconds, and steamed to a winning 8.544, against Steve’s 0.691 light and 16.660 run.
Ken “I don’t need NOS” Stolpmann
It was time for the Aussies to stand up, and Greg Taylor did exactly that on his Suzuki, cranking on the throttle with a 0.423 reaction and scorching to a 8.583, taking the win against
Ian Wilkins’ 0.362 red light and 10.60 ET.
Next out was Glenn Johnstone (NZ)’s B/SB Suzuki against Mick Murray (AUS)’s Harley. Glenn cut a 0.662 and 10.823, which Mick couldn’t catch on handicap, running a 9.567, and Mick’s 0.855 reaction time made the challenge that much more difficult for himself.
Tristan Scalmer (NZ) and his Suzuki was next up, with a bye run, just as well too, with Tristan recording a 1.010 knitting time and a 10.016 ET. Not sure what is going on here, Tristan’s bike is capable of much faster times. And we already know he can knit a bit faster than he needs to at 0.394 stitches per second.
Forth race of the round, and it’s Gary Beaumont (NZ)’s Harley against Steve Green (NZ)’s Yamaha drag bike. Gary ran an off the pace 12.73, and a 0.924 reaction, taking the win against Steve’s 17.136 but very respectable 0.425 reaction time.
Kiwi Gary Beaumont A/PCB
Fifth out was Ian Taylor (NZ) and Margie Hoggard (AUS). Ian went on to win with a 12.34 (reaction 0.693), and I would say Margie failed to fire (no reaction time or ET recorded).
Wellington’s Ian Taylor
Sixth out was Myself against Trina Hilton, Trina popped the cherry tree with a 0.395 and 12.909, and I went on to win with a slowing 0.967 light and a 10.595. Hey – with a reaction like that I’m almost eligible for the champs that use wool and needles!
Ian Hilder Burns out around a dead Kawasaki accidentally left in the right hand side of lane 1
Seventh pair out were Derek Kenny (NZ) on his Honda and Clive Mainland (AUS)’s Kawasaki. Derek dropped a stitch with a 0.799 reaction, against Clive’s 0.610 light, but luck was not on Clive’s side this time, his Kawasaki blowing a head gasket which ended his day, whilst Derek went on to take the win with a 11.24.
Last for the round was number 1 qualifier Ken Stolpman, who soloed to a 8.746 with a reaction of 0.472 – no time for knitting or cups of tea here. Rumour has it his drive chain is now less than 10 years old too.
Ian Wilkins (NZ) lined his Suzuki up against Steve Green (NZ)’s TT500 DD/drag bike. Ian fair nailed Steve on the start line with a 0.462 against Steve’s 0.699 reaction. Ian took the white light at the finish line with a 10.263 versus Steve’s 17.048.
Ian Wilkins does one of his trademark burnouts
Next run was Aussie’s Mick Murray on one of the better prepared Harleys you will ever see, slotting a 0.478 reaction and a 10.054 on this single run.
Third out was Greg “Dude” Taylor (AUS) up against Greg Johnstone (NZ). Glenn launched his GSXR750 outa the hole pretty quick with a 0.542 RT to record a 10.821 on an 11.26 factor, but it was no match for Dude, who showed the way on his mint 1400cc Suzuki dragbike with a 0.482 reaction and an 8.651 for the win.
Glenn Johnstone
Forth pair was Tristan Scalmer (NZ) up against Gary Beaumont (NZ), with Tristan’s 0.490 and 10.084 too good for Gary’s 0.935 and 10.502.
A solo ride was next for Aussie’s Margie Hoggard, and what a ride it was…a 0.505 light at the gate and only 9.415 seconds to the other end….a personal best for Margie (must be that good kiwi track that does it eh girl?)
Margie Hoggard gates her Suzuki
Sixth out was myself on the Flotech Suzuki, up against Ian Taylor (NZ)’s supercharged Kawasaki. Now talk about one man’s misfortune being another man’s good fortune, Ian Taylor failed to fire, starter Plank put the stopwatch on him, then directed me into stage for the single. Now here is the lucky part….have you ever ran a 19.85 second pass to get you into the final? Well with absolutely no air getting to my shift ram, that is what I did, by giving it the odd rev in 1st gear only, to take the win light and a spot in the final. That’s good luck! For me anyway.
Seventh out this round was a single run from Pukekohe’s Trina Hilton on board the Buell, Trina recording 0.723 RT and a 12.855 ET.
Trina launching the Team Hilton A/PCB Buell, with husband Allan (centre) in the background
Eighth and final pair for round 3 was Derek Kenny (NZ)’s Honda CBR900 Fireblade up against the always fast Ken Stolpman. Derek took the easy way to the final much like myself, because Ken stripped 3rd gear again to record a DNF. And what’s more, it was my third gear he broke. And I want it back Ken!! (but please fix it first).
Derek carded a 1.466 RT (one point four six six???!!@#$%^&^%$#!! Derek-do you own your own knitting needles?) but none the less I suppose he could afford to knit 1, pearl 2, with his opposition broken. Derek took the win with an 11.535 on an 11.40 factor, and in doing so secured a place in the final.
First out was the Yamaha of NZ’s Steve Green, Steve singled to a 19.03 after a 0.574 reaction.
Steve Green’s TT500 DD/Drag Bike
Second pair up was Mick Murray (AUS)’s Harley against In Wilkins’ Kosman funny bike. Ian handed Mick the race with a 0.290 red light and a 10.67 ET against Mick’s 0.660 light and winning 10.31.
Third up was Glenn Johnstone (NZ) and Gary Beaumont (NZ), with the 750 Suzuki of Glenn’s taking the win with a stout 10.722 (0.587 reaction) against Gary’s slowing 11.032. Speaking of similar things, Gary cut 1.299 reaction time on this run (OK, I wont say it).
Forth out was Aussie’s Greg Taylor with the big GSX1100 based Suzy, up against Kiwi Tristan Scalmer’s smaller GS1000 based bike. Greg took the win with a 0.578 and 8.945 pass against Tristan’s much improved 9.731 (that’s more like it) and 0.580 reaction time.
Fifth pair out was Margie Hoggard (AUS) against Trina Hilton. Not sure what Trina broke, but something was really wrong to card a 41.10 second pass. BUT BUT BUT! Check this
out boys - a 0.406 reaction time! Must have been the best RTof the weekend.
Still, Margie cut a respectable 0.500 and raced away to a winning 9.447 to earn her the 3rd place title.
Last pair out was myself on the Flotech Suzuki, up against the Honda Fireblade of Hamilton’s Derek Kenny. This is where I am lucky drag racers are so helpful…with my air shifter solenoid fried the round before, Chris Mackrell immediately offered to remove his from his bike and give it to me for the run – an offer which I accepted. Ten minutes and few cable ties later, it was all set to go....I hoped. The silly thing here is, I had a spare solenoid just like the one Chris removed from his bike, in my spares box, I had just forgotten about it!
Derek takes his chance against the Flotech Suzuki in the final….
On the start line, Derek got the green first with a 11.40 handicap, and with a 0.983 RT headed down the track to a 11.26 pass. But it wasn’t enough to hold off the ol’ Rice Rocket, I cut a “I don’t want to red light here” 0.698 reaction time on a 8.90 factor, to easily catch Derek and take my first NZ Nationals win since 1996, running 8.615 @ 146.80.
Now, I own this site (along with Mr TA), and I can write pretty much write what I want to, so I will. There are a bunch of people that helped me get to the winner’s podium at this meeting, some of which I never thanked at prize giving on the day, so I’ll thank them all here now.
Thanks go to:
Ian Wilkins - for helping me rewire the entire bike prior to the Nationals (this cured the misfire)
Bob Castle (Brisbane), Shane Bill (Brisbane), Gary Thomas (Bundaberg) – For finding out my clutch was about to explode, and helping me re-rivet it down at Flotech on the Friday night before the Nats, for spending nearly all of the Saturday night welding up a piston and rebuilding my engine (that went like the clappers on the Sunday!) and for crewing all day Sunday as well. That’s dedication - especially when they were supposed to be on holiday!
Ngaire – for making sure the troops were fed and watered (beer is a type of water isn’t it?) in between engine component fixes, and generally being supportive of me in this crazy sport.
Mr TA – my dragbikenz.com partner in crime and webmaster supreme (TA puts everything you see in this site up on the world wide web himself, and does it all for free)
The Outback Seven -seven Australia dragbike racers and their families who helped make this the best NZ Nationals ever, the riders being, in no particular alphabetical order: Jeff Hall, Margie Hoggard, Clive Mainland, Mick Murray, Steve Paris, Colin Sainsbury and Greg Taylor – great having you here-
Darwin’s Geoff Hall rode his GSXR750 in DYO Bike at the Nationals….
Athol and Sharon Williams – for providing a base camp for the Outback Seven, and much much, more, which you will read about later in the next two meeting reports.
And if you helped and weren’t named here or in person, thanks to you too!
And finally (I did say I could write whatever I liked)….
Just scroll down a bit............
Just a little more...........
(that’s me)
On board the
RICE ROCKET A/DB SUZUKI
The Flotech Suzuki - New Zealand’s QUICKEST naturally aspirated bike ever!
All Photos courtesy of
Mal Bain
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