Paddy North Racing Reviews, Results & Achievements
2008 - 2009 Season
25 April 2009 - Wellington Super Saloon Championship
18 April 2009 - King of the Coast - Greymouth
10 April 2009 - Easter Champs - Nelson
5 April 2009 - Club Meeting - Blenheim
28 March 2009 - SSCAR Weldwell Super Saloon Series - Wellington
21 March 2009 - SSCAR Weldwell Super Saloon Series - Meeanee
7 March 2009 - SSCAR Weldwell Super Saloon Series - Huntly
1 March 2009 - NZ Stockcar GP Meeting - Blenheim
14 February 2009 - WFG Super Saloon Series Round 4 - Woodford Glen
7 February 2009 - SSCAR Weldwell Super Saloon Series - Waikaraka Park
31 January 2009 - North Island Super Saloon Championship - Gisborne
24 January 2009 - New Zealand Super Saloon GP - Baypark
Firstly a big thankyou to the Interislander who have come to the party and helped us out big time with excellent rates getting the truck and crew back and forth over the strait. These guys are excellent, so if you need a ferry ride check them out first.
Also a big thankyou to the Donald Gregory and family for their help with car storage and servicing facilities, we'd be lost without you guys. Hopefully Donald will pull finger and have his car ready for the North Island series starting in Auckland next weekend.
Anyway to the GP at Bay Park Tauranga, our bad luck over the last couple of weeks hasn't seemed to change yet. I managed to wreck after only one and a half laps of the 25-lap feature race. The night started with time trials with about 13 cars in each group on the track at once for five laps. Having not done this format before, I didn't leave myself enough room on the track and struggled to put down a fast lap amongst the traffic.
My lap times were slow and this affected us throughout the night with a grid 9 start in the qualifying heat finishing 7th (top 6 to final) and therefore going to a B main where that lap time again came into effect and had me starting off grid 8. Fortunately we had some good car speed and managed to finish 2nd which put us off grid 13 for the feature.
Starting so far down the grid I knew I needed to make some places fast, I found a bit of a grove on the outside and managed about 4 or 5 spots on the outside over the first 1 ½ laps. Unfortunately I couldn't avoid a sideways Pete Hemi and 3 or 4 other cars joined us causing a bit of a pileup. That was me for the night with a smashed steering rack.
The local guys seemed to excel on the very drivey and bumpy Bay Park track with locals Shane McIntyre 1st and Mark Orchard 3rd. Luckily for the mainland and after a well driven race Ian Burson finished 2nd. Burs must like this track after also winning the South Pacific Saloons there a few weeks ago.
This weekend we're off to Gisborne for the North Island Champs, also from the south will be Ray Stewart. Ray and I finished 1 2 at a big show there couple of years back so well be looking for a repeat of that!!
Cheers
Paddy
Also a big thankyou to the Donald Gregory and family for their help with car storage and servicing facilities, we'd be lost without you guys. Hopefully Donald will pull finger and have his car ready for the North Island series starting in Auckland next weekend.
Anyway to the GP at Bay Park Tauranga, our bad luck over the last couple of weeks hasn't seemed to change yet. I managed to wreck after only one and a half laps of the 25-lap feature race. The night started with time trials with about 13 cars in each group on the track at once for five laps. Having not done this format before, I didn't leave myself enough room on the track and struggled to put down a fast lap amongst the traffic.
My lap times were slow and this affected us throughout the night with a grid 9 start in the qualifying heat finishing 7th (top 6 to final) and therefore going to a B main where that lap time again came into effect and had me starting off grid 8. Fortunately we had some good car speed and managed to finish 2nd which put us off grid 13 for the feature.
Starting so far down the grid I knew I needed to make some places fast, I found a bit of a grove on the outside and managed about 4 or 5 spots on the outside over the first 1 ½ laps. Unfortunately I couldn't avoid a sideways Pete Hemi and 3 or 4 other cars joined us causing a bit of a pileup. That was me for the night with a smashed steering rack.
The local guys seemed to excel on the very drivey and bumpy Bay Park track with locals Shane McIntyre 1st and Mark Orchard 3rd. Luckily for the mainland and after a well driven race Ian Burson finished 2nd. Burs must like this track after also winning the South Pacific Saloons there a few weeks ago.
This weekend we're off to Gisborne for the North Island Champs, also from the south will be Ray Stewart. Ray and I finished 1 2 at a big show there couple of years back so well be looking for a repeat of that!!
Cheers
Paddy
22 January 2009 - North Island Trip
From this weekend we'll be basing our racing activities in the North Island for the next couple of months, this coming about after an invite I couldn't resist from Muzza Pierce, to compete in the SSCAR North Island Series and therefore we also decided to enter the NZ Grand Prix in Tauranga this weekend and the North Island Champs in Gisborne on the 31st. The following weekend is the first weekend of the SSCAR series in Auckland, which then moves on to Stratford, Palmerston North, Huntly, Napier and finally Wellington on the 28th March.
Unfortunately we'll miss the South Island Champs in Dunedin due to a date clash with the Stratford round of the series. While this is a HUGE commitment for myself, family, crew and Visa card, we're really looking forward to the challenge of competing at the different tracks along with the high calibre of competition (not quite up with the best of the South Island guys but they're getting closer!!). Hopefully one or two more South Islanders may yet enter this series as well, which will make for some awesome shows.
Anyhow we're looking forward to the GP this weekend. It's been a couple of years since we have raced at Bay Park, will be interesting to see what sort of track we get, and hopefully we can adapt pretty quickly and get a good result. Will keep everybody informed of our progress in the North via a weekly website update.
Cheers
Paddy
Unfortunately we'll miss the South Island Champs in Dunedin due to a date clash with the Stratford round of the series. While this is a HUGE commitment for myself, family, crew and Visa card, we're really looking forward to the challenge of competing at the different tracks along with the high calibre of competition (not quite up with the best of the South Island guys but they're getting closer!!). Hopefully one or two more South Islanders may yet enter this series as well, which will make for some awesome shows.
Anyhow we're looking forward to the GP this weekend. It's been a couple of years since we have raced at Bay Park, will be interesting to see what sort of track we get, and hopefully we can adapt pretty quickly and get a good result. Will keep everybody informed of our progress in the North via a weekly website update.
Cheers
Paddy
North Island Trip Calendar
| 24 Jan | Bay Park | NZ Super Saloon GP |
| 31 Jan | Gisborne | NI Super Saloon Champs |
| 7 Feb | Waikaraka Park | SSCAR North Island Series |
| 21 Feb | Stratford | SSCAR North Island Series |
| 28 Feb | Palmerston North | SSCAR North Island Series |
| 7 Mar | Huntly | SSCAR North Island Series |
| 21 Mar | Meeanee | SSCAR North Island Series |
| 28 Mar | Wellington | SSCAR North Island Series |
| 25 April | Wellington | Wellington and ANZAC Champs |
14 January 2009 - Super Saloon Hoopla! - Woodford Glen
9 and 10 January 2009 - New Zealand Super Saloon Championship - Cromwell
7 January 2009 - NZ Champs Preview
Well here we go again, NZ Champs time, the cars all prepared and loaded, and hitting hit the road this morning. From what we have seen and heard the Cromwell guys have been putting in a huge effort to make this the best ever NZ Champs so I hope it works out great for them, I also, of course hope things work out great for us, even though Cromwell is not one of my better tracks, we have certainly put in a big effort preparing and learnt a few things which should help us on the night, so to say. In saying that you never really know how these things go, that is one of the fascinating things about speedway, it doesn't matter how much you prepare yourself and equipment, you need some luck on your side (sometimes a lot!!)
Looking at the class of this field you could easily pick properly 12 - 15 guys out of the 38 entries that could win this thing. Just to qualify through to the top 20 for Saturday night is going to be a mission and I think there will be a few disappointed drivers after qualifying. After looking at my group and the quality of the field I know were going to have our work cut out.
Our previous best placing at a title meeting was 7th at Bay Park a 3 years ago so I'll be real happy with anything better than that, and of course a top 3 placing is ultimate goal. Anyway whatever happens one thing is for sure, this is going to be an AWESOME show so best of luck to all drivers and crews.
Dave our web man will be trackside with his laptop and if there's mobile internet coverage, will be posting full results via this site during both evenings of racing, so if you can't make it down here to Cromvegas you can follow progress of your favourite driver right here.
Cheers
Paddy
Looking at the class of this field you could easily pick properly 12 - 15 guys out of the 38 entries that could win this thing. Just to qualify through to the top 20 for Saturday night is going to be a mission and I think there will be a few disappointed drivers after qualifying. After looking at my group and the quality of the field I know were going to have our work cut out.
Our previous best placing at a title meeting was 7th at Bay Park a 3 years ago so I'll be real happy with anything better than that, and of course a top 3 placing is ultimate goal. Anyway whatever happens one thing is for sure, this is going to be an AWESOME show so best of luck to all drivers and crews.
Dave our web man will be trackside with his laptop and if there's mobile internet coverage, will be posting full results via this site during both evenings of racing, so if you can't make it down here to Cromvegas you can follow progress of your favourite driver right here.
Cheers
Paddy
1 January 2009 - New Year Grand Prix - Cromwell
This is not a meeting we would normally venture to, but given the NZ champs are being held here in a week we thought a bit more practice might help given its not one of my favourite tracks and historically have struggled here somewhat. I not sure I achieved much anyway and was defiantly not on the pace of the top 3 of Ray Stewart, Ritchie Taylor, and Mike Verdonna. Any way it will give me something's think about and work on over the coming week.
26 December 2008 - Remembrance Champs - Woodford Glen
13 December 2008 - Charlie's Fun Night - Blenheim
6 December 2008 - WFG Super Saloon Series Round 2 - Woodford Glen
29 November 2008 - Super Saloon Gold Cup - Cromwell
Last weekend we did the big road trip to Cromwell for the Super Saloon Gold Cup. This meeting was put together by Ray Stewart and the guys to replace the canned South Island Saloon series. It was a good chance to get some practice on the newly surfaced track leading up to the NZ champs there in a few weeks.
We had a 13 car field and a different format of 2 heats with a 30 lap final split in to 2 x 15 lap races where we came back into the pits between races. We qualified 6th for the feature with a 3rd place in heat 1 and last place in heat 2 after a tangle which saw me spin-off to the infield. I moved from 6th to 4th in the first part of the feature, started 4th for the second part which is where I finished behind 1st place Ray Stewart, 2nd Josh Bolton and Ritchie Taylor in 3rd.
Thanks to John Lovelady who travelled down with us, and helped with car setup during the night.
This was a real good show put on by Cromwell and were pleased we made the trip. I've got a few things to work on but were seriously looking forward to the Champs there.
This weekend we're off to Woodford Glen for the second round of their Super Saloon Series. We are currently sitting 5th in this series after round 1 on hope to improve on that this Saturday.
Best of luck to fellow Eastern States driver Dave McCallion this weekend as he the sole South Islander contests the NZ saloon Champs in Huntly. Dave is a great driver so if he can keep the car together, and out of trouble I think he's a real chance for a top 3 finish.
Cheers
Paddy
We had a 13 car field and a different format of 2 heats with a 30 lap final split in to 2 x 15 lap races where we came back into the pits between races. We qualified 6th for the feature with a 3rd place in heat 1 and last place in heat 2 after a tangle which saw me spin-off to the infield. I moved from 6th to 4th in the first part of the feature, started 4th for the second part which is where I finished behind 1st place Ray Stewart, 2nd Josh Bolton and Ritchie Taylor in 3rd.
Thanks to John Lovelady who travelled down with us, and helped with car setup during the night.
This was a real good show put on by Cromwell and were pleased we made the trip. I've got a few things to work on but were seriously looking forward to the Champs there.
This weekend we're off to Woodford Glen for the second round of their Super Saloon Series. We are currently sitting 5th in this series after round 1 on hope to improve on that this Saturday.
Best of luck to fellow Eastern States driver Dave McCallion this weekend as he the sole South Islander contests the NZ saloon Champs in Huntly. Dave is a great driver so if he can keep the car together, and out of trouble I think he's a real chance for a top 3 finish.
Cheers
Paddy
No racing this weekend
Unfortunately I have withdrawn from the Champion of Champions this weekend. I am currently spending some time with my kids in Greymouth. Tragically my son Brad was involved in a boating accident on Saturday, his stepdad Nick did not survive this tragic accident. This is a huge loss to Sarah and the kids which will leave a massive hole in their lives. Nick was a great guy and an awesome dad & stepdad to Jazmin, Hazel, Brad and Morgan.
Best of luck to all the guys racing in the CoC this weekend this is a high quality field and my pick will be 2 Lovelady cars in the top 3, it's just a matter of which 2.
Our Next meeting will be in Cromwell in a couple of weeks this will give us some good practice on this track as a lead up to the NZ Champs there in January
Best of luck to all the guys racing in the CoC this weekend this is a high quality field and my pick will be 2 Lovelady cars in the top 3, it's just a matter of which 2.
Our Next meeting will be in Cromwell in a couple of weeks this will give us some good practice on this track as a lead up to the NZ Champs there in January
8 November 2008 - Club Meeting - Nelson
Last Saturday 8th November we ventured to Nelson for a club night. I went there with the intention of testing some new setups on the car in preparation for the Campion of Champions at Woodford Glen the following weekend. The first two races were magic, lowering my previous fastest lap Times around there by two tenths of a second. Our third race was a shocker to watch given I rode the wall three times and went from the front to the rear of the field in about 1 lap, despite this I was actually very happy given what we learnt and achieved with the car and look forward to applying these changes this weekend at the Champion of Champions.
2 November 2008 - Club Meeting - Blenheim
1 November 2008 - WFG Super Saloon Series Round 1 - Woodford Glen
Back on the Track
26 October 2008 - Canterbury Super Saloon Championship - Woodford Glen
26 October 2008 - Canterbury Super Saloon Championship - Woodford Glen
2007 - 2008 Season Review
Initially we got of to a bit of a slow start to the season. We didn't hit the track until November and I was the quickest car to the back of the field. Everybody else seemed to be on the case and I was just floundering around at the rear. I couldn't even make the finals of the Champion of Champions at Woodford Glen. We found we had lost our way with the car setup and balance. I called on John Lovelady from LRC our car builder. John spent time with us the following meeting at the Glen getting our car setup back to basics. Immediately we picked up pace and haven't looked back all season.
My biggest disappointment this season would be blowing the diff at the NZ Champs in Dunedin. We arrived at Dunedin with high hopes of a good placing, had a great qualifying night, and were running 2nd for 19 laps of our first finals race, when "Bang" no drive!
Anyway that was our only mechanical failure of the season and after 14000kms of travel and 30 nights racing I must say is testament to the dedication and car preparation of the 46e crew.
Highlights of the season would be finishing a close 2nd to Ritchie Taylor after running 10 laps side by side in the last race of the final round of the South Island series, along with winning both the Manawatu and Wellington Super Saloon champs, and of course our 3rd placing in the NZ Super Saloon Grand Prix in Nelson.
To finish the season we toured the North Island taking in 2 nights each at Palmy and Wellington, the Best of the Best at Huntly, a rain out at Wiakarka park, and a day watching the V8's at Hamilton. We met some awesome people and received some great hospitably, A big thanks to the Gregory family in Wellington and Mel Hills / Steve Williams team in Auckland for looking after us.
Now that racing is all over for the season, along with catching up on all those odd jobs around the house, the car has been stripped out in preparation of some TLC, the engine has been shipped back to Greg Hiddleston for him to work his magic, and hopefully we'll find some time to give the transporter a bit of a birthday.
John Lovelady is working on building us a new chassis with VE commodore body, which we will hopefully debut some time this coming season.
Finally and most importantly I would like to say a VERY BIG THANKYOU to my family, crew, staff, sponsors, supporters and all those people who have helped us out over the past season, your help and dedication has been tremendous and hopefully our results go someway towards making all the effort worthwhile.
My biggest disappointment this season would be blowing the diff at the NZ Champs in Dunedin. We arrived at Dunedin with high hopes of a good placing, had a great qualifying night, and were running 2nd for 19 laps of our first finals race, when "Bang" no drive!
Anyway that was our only mechanical failure of the season and after 14000kms of travel and 30 nights racing I must say is testament to the dedication and car preparation of the 46e crew.
Highlights of the season would be finishing a close 2nd to Ritchie Taylor after running 10 laps side by side in the last race of the final round of the South Island series, along with winning both the Manawatu and Wellington Super Saloon champs, and of course our 3rd placing in the NZ Super Saloon Grand Prix in Nelson.
To finish the season we toured the North Island taking in 2 nights each at Palmy and Wellington, the Best of the Best at Huntly, a rain out at Wiakarka park, and a day watching the V8's at Hamilton. We met some awesome people and received some great hospitably, A big thanks to the Gregory family in Wellington and Mel Hills / Steve Williams team in Auckland for looking after us.
Now that racing is all over for the season, along with catching up on all those odd jobs around the house, the car has been stripped out in preparation of some TLC, the engine has been shipped back to Greg Hiddleston for him to work his magic, and hopefully we'll find some time to give the transporter a bit of a birthday.
John Lovelady is working on building us a new chassis with VE commodore body, which we will hopefully debut some time this coming season.
Finally and most importantly I would like to say a VERY BIG THANKYOU to my family, crew, staff, sponsors, supporters and all those people who have helped us out over the past season, your help and dedication has been tremendous and hopefully our results go someway towards making all the effort worthwhile.
2007 - 2008 Season Achievements
- 3rd NZ Grand Prix
- 2nd South Island Series
- 1st South Island Interprovincial Teams
- 1st Manawatu Champs
- 1st Wellington Champs
- 2nd Marlborough Champs
- 2nd Tasman Easter Champs
- 3rd Nelson Club Champs
- 2nd Wellington Anzac Champs
- 2nd Palmerston North King of The Arena
2003 - 2007 Racing Achievements
2006 - 2007 Season
- 1st Super Saloon Stampede - Gisborne
- 5th NZ Grand Prix - Wellington
- 2nd Top of the South Easter Champs
- 1st South Island Interprovincial Teams (member Tasman team)
- 4th South Island Series
- 2nd Club Points Eastern States
- 1st Marlborough Super Saloon Champs
2005 - 2006 Season
- 3rd Club Points Eastern States
- 2nd South Pacific Saloon GP - Dunedin
- 1st Marlborough Super Saloon Champs
- 2nd West Coast Saloon Car Champs
- 3rd Super Saloon Gold Cup - Bay Park
- 7th NZ Super Saloon Champs - Bay Park
2004 - 2005 Season
- 1st Marlborough Saloon Champs
- 1st Most Improved Driver - Eastern States
- 1st Top of the South Easter Champs
2003 - 2004 Season
- Highest Achievement of the Year - Eastern States
- Most Improved Driver Overall - Eastern States
- 1st Club Points - Eastern States
- Most Improved Saloon Driver - Eastern States
- 3rd Top of the South Easter Champs
- 1st Nelson Round South Island Series
- 2nd Overall South Island Series
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