Auckland Blokart Club News

Light winds in the morning had everyone worried with a prediction of
easterlies. By 10.30 a slight increase saw the decision made to head for
Tokerau by midday. Tony Frischer went early, started to rig the 5.5,
changed to the 4 and before even hitting the beach was down to a 3. Yes,
15+ knts directly in to the beach. With a slight curve to this beach
there were fast speeds at both ends. Most started with 3s, a couple with
4s that were changed down after a couple of hours, 1 with a two which
proved successful.
Started with some sort races but then did the length of the beach and
back, fabulous sailing about 50 km/hr one way, getting up to 60 the
other. The longer races took there toll as it was power sailing all the
way, having to work hard to keep that outside wheel on the ground. Orca
with a 3 in this wind is un beatable, even when he is handicapped
severely. Paul Beckett also showed some great speed as him and Theo
raced through the light weight sailors.
Finished after 6 races, 2 short and 4 long, and everyone headed north.
With drought conditions the stream had disappeared half way up the beach
so we sailed on hard sand all the way to the top of the beach. The run
back was the fastest of the day getting up to mid 60s and slowly
dropping back as the wind became more square. Most did close to 100 km
this day and because of the cross the wind sailing all the newer sailors
had good races. Louise, Jayne, Julie and Sonja, all raced with good
results, great to see as this was their first time out with the race fleet.
Sore hands and aching shoulders forced everyone back to base after about
4 hours of fast sailing.
Some headed to the vineyard for a wind down and drink, other back to
camp to clean up and get ready for prize giving night.
The theme was beach party with everyone dressed appropriately. The
judges picked out Trish and Duncan for a prize, Jayne also got one
for her Hawaiian attire and Brian took out first prize for his Pee Ha
Rescue theme with captain condom boxers. Not bad Brian!
The tall tale contest had 4 entrants including the Bay Bus Team with
their song, great lyrics, pity about the lack of execution. But not to
be put off Pam also had a poem which gained her the trophy again to take
back to the Bay. The judges thought long and hard before awarding second
equal place to Brian and I.
Winners and place getters of each race were given prizes and each day
winner a bottle of wine before points were added to get the overall 90
Mile Beach trophy winner.
Results:
Thursday
1st Tony Fisher
2nd= Margy B
2nd= Grant2
4th Grant1
Relay
1st Tony F/ Margy B
2nd Trevor P/Grant2
3rd Orca/Neil

Friday
1st Margy B
2nd Orca
3rd Trevor H

Saturday
1st Orca
2nd Jon D
3rd Darryl

Overall
1st= Margy B, Jon
3rd Neil

Great weekend, it just seems to get better and better, but 3 days of
blue skies and plenty of wind made it one of the best.
Most of the sailors who did all the races did close to 200 km over the 3
days with a mixture of tacking/gybing course and straight across the
wind power sailing, plus of course Fridays speed event where we sat on
70+ km/hr for 8-10 minutes before heading back.
Everyone is coming back in November, hopefully for a repeat.

I'm sure the stories will come out of the fun
<http://blokart.jigluhood.com/tags/fun> and games but let it be known
that Tony Fisher has "gone over to the dark side".

Russell

That was a bonus, wind through until 8.30 when the forecast was for it
to drop off just after 6. Warm weather, shorts and t-shirt sailing. This
meant 12 races in all, 6 per division although the last race of the
night it was a bit patchy, some not helping themselves by pulling in
after 2 laps. To start most set up 4 metre sails although a couple went
to 5.5s "knowing" the wind always drops away. The bigger sails proved
slower with a steady wind from the west providing a fast trip both ways
along the road. It wasn't until after 6 races that half the fleet
changed up although the 4s were still winning races but by the last 4
races everyone had on the big sail.
In the lightweights Barry, Grant, and Derek all got wins with Mako
sitting on 2nds, 3rds and 4ths all night. Well done Derek on your first
win in this division, winning the start and comfortably holding off the
chasing bunch. Brian also had a good night with some 2nds and 3rds.
The heavies had Alex and Russell taking the gun with Nicko in 2nd or
third place all night except where he had a slow tyre leak, not helping
speed. Grant and Neil are consistently up in the front bunch pushing the
leaders along.
Thanks to Trish for keeping everything ticking along quickly and Rowena,
also doing timing duties but also organising marshals on corners as we
start to get a bit busier with netball practice.
We packed up as the sun disappeared and drove home in the dark but well
worth it for a full nights sailing.
Russell