I had always wanted to drive the southern tracks and when the Playday Organisers planned a week for the 3 tracks my co-driver and I were in. 30 other North Islander's did the same joining about 8 to 15 locals depending upon the track. Cars ranged from a Turbo Escort via a Westfield, 4 Redline (I think that's what they were) sports cars, numerous Mr2's, Supras, various Subaru's (including a station wagon), Falcon V8, Porches, Honda's and a twin turbo v8 Lotus. Local cars included Mx5's, Walkinshaw Commodore, Lotus 11 replica, BMW's and numerous other Subarus.
My car racked up nearly 700 km's on track with 2 drivers plus about 2k of "touring" (we even spent 2 hours being shown over the South Pacific Proving Grounds at Cardrona - what a place). A full tank barely lasted at Teretonga and Levels and we used a tank and a half at Ruapuna. My car had the worst mechanical reliability in 5 years of competion
- the fan belt needed tightening at Teretonga losing us a "race" each!The format was the same as the usual Playdays many will have experienced in the NI with a line of fast cars and a line of speed challenged ie us!. Groups of 8 (Teretonga)-12 (Ruapuna) cars at 5 second intervals were sent out. At Levels we slotted into either line and very rarely got lapped and as everyone was very gentlemanly and polite and with no overtaking after the 200m board catching and or passing other cars created no drama. One thing we noticed was the 5 would out corner many of the other faster cars. Most frustrating catching a Porsche Boxter through the back of Teretonga for him to disappear down the front straight, although to be fair after a couple of laps with the silver 5 almost buried in his engine at the elbow he did let me pass and stayed behind on that looooong front straight.
We met up with Gravelben in Teretonga and Levels where he was pedalling his red 5 very quickly. A very tidy white NB was out at Ruapuna as well and his 1800 was certainly able to out accelerate me on the front straight but the Formula R's and mintex pads more than compensated elsewhere.
Ruapuna was probably the best track being wide like Taupo but all 3 required some effort to get a good line. Teretonga we were hitting around 165 before braking for that huge sweeper and about 155 at Levels along the back straight and about 160 at Ruapuna before braking at the 100 m board for the tight left hander (cnr 2), it took a few laps before I could keep my foot flat off the straight into the gentle left before the hard left. Ruapuna used the dipper section and if its of any interest we were taking 2mins 04-05secs for a lap, Levels about 1min 25 and I can't remember Teretonga.
Fantastic fun. Anyone who wants some track time but doesn't want to risk possible racing damage then the track days organised by the PlayDay organisation is the place to do it - a roll bar/cage, racing belts etc are not necessary. Don't search for an excuse not to do it. http://www.playdayontrack.co.nz/
