First Major Crash At Nz'S Newest Track

[HandyNZL 1]

This is footage of the first ever major crash at Hampton Downs, NZ's newest race track which has only been open a few months (on the short circuit only).

http://tinyurl.com/yb2wvh4

We've had the Cooper F3 around the track for a few test sessions a fortnight ago, and we're back there tomorrow for the first Historics racing. Been raining all day today, so hopefully will dry out tomorrow. Can't afford for the car to end up in the fence, again!

[Persevere 0]

That was ugly. What injuries were sustained by the drivers?

[aussief1 4]

Nasty indeed.

Have you guys over there ever heard of racing room???

Glad to hear you have the Cooper back together and out on track where she belongs. Keep us updated Craig.

[HandyNZL 1]

Bruce, the guy that was in the mini ended up with a sore neck....so he went to the doctor a few days later and was told he was a) walking around with a couple of broken vertebrae, and was lucky to also be alive as a bump would have killed him. Henceforth he is no longer racing.

Not sure what happened to the Porshe driver. The mini was put to sleep...the engine ended up in the back seat!

There is now a new armco barrier in front of the concrete wall, hopefully to avoid such an incident again.

Nathan - we blew the head gasket! Duh! Put her on P6 (P4 in class) then three laps into the first race she went down to two cylinders, and there was a caramel milkshake in the oil tank. No pistons broken, though a couple of bent valves. Will be back on track for the NZ Festival of Motorsport, Celebrating Bruce McLaren meeting at the end of January at Hampton Downs. Gonna be a huge meet...lots of F5000's, Can-Am's and other historics...lots of cars from Aussie and UK coming for the racing.

[Persevere 0]

Thanks for filling us in on the drivers. Too bad about the Mini, although turning it into a mid-engine racer may have been a possibility.

Speaking of New Zealand... quite by coincidence my son sent me this link featuring an 11 minute video. If you haven't already seen it you'll enjoy it. Given the black and white imagery and the lighting I would recommend doing so in a darkened room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRlidY7XVlo

[JHS 1]

Wow, that was nasty, hope he recovers from his injuries soon though. Suprised about that Mini though. A bit of t-cut, some rubber bands, a bit of PVA glue and some duct tape would see that race ready again!

[aussief1 4]

Nathan - we blew the head gasket! Duh! Put her on P6 (P4 in class) then three laps into the first race she went down to two cylinders, and there was a caramel milkshake in the oil tank. No pistons broken, though a couple of bent valves. Will be back on track for the NZ Festival of Motorsport, Celebrating Bruce McLaren meeting at the end of January at Hampton Downs. Gonna be a huge meet...lots of F5000's, Can-Am's and other historics...lots of cars from Aussie and UK coming for the racing.

Argh really !!!! Post some pictures from the Festival and the Cooper

[HandyNZL 1]

Roger wilco and ok

[aussief1 4]

Roger wilco and ok

Thanks mate