Sim Racing NZ Rundown October 2012

SIMRACING NZ

MONTHLY SIM RACING PUBLICATION

PLUS :

ISSUE 7 - OCTOBER 2012

SUPERSTOCKS, NASCAR, MIDGETS + MORE

CREDITS Editors

Bryce Harding Jamie Hall

Designer

Mitch Keys

Writers

Jamie Hall Matthew Pluck Mitch Keys

Photographers

Jamie Hall Mitch Keys

SRNZ Crew Chiefs

SRNZ Pit Crew

Daniel Huia Hayden Kirk Jamie Hall Mitch Keys Peter May Anton Bowen Ayrton Smith Bryce Harding Kieren Johansen Matthew Pluck Tony Drake Vaughn Hutton

Cars/tracks by

Boz Racing UK SOM/Freew67 Dirt Late Model Sim Dirtshop Creations Inc Kiwi Sim Racing Sim Pro Racing VHR Racing Image Space Incorporated

supported by

Castrol Edge Go Fast Energy Drink Macgors SkyDiveZone

want to start racing?

SRNZ has a help section HERE You can register for free at: www.simracingnz.com Computer Lounge will build brand new PC’s to the recommended specifications of rFactor 2 for just $1429.00* *price may vary

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

CONTENTS 01 05 09 13 17 21 25 27 29 33 37 41

Corn Country

NASCAR Shootout Round 5

Chicago Cruise

NASCAR Shootout Round 6

Talladega Tandem

NASCAR Shootout Round 7

Stratford Shootout

Superstock Shootout Round 3

MEeanee Maul

Superstock Shootout Round 4

Kingi Takes Crown

Superstock Shootout Round 5

Superstocks 126p + 17b Replica Skins of the Month

Augustine “SUPER5TAR” Sanson Interview

Kihikihi Speedway

Midget Car Downunder Tour Round 4

Stratford Speedway

Midget Car Downunder Tour Round 5

Palmerston North

Midget Car Downunder Tour Round 6

Woodford Glen

Midget Car Downunder Tour Round 7

NASCAR

Photography: Mitch Keys

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

2

3

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

4

NASCAR

Words: Mitch Keys

5

Photography: Mitch Keys

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

6

7

Chicagoland Speedway was the first of two Endurance style events in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Shootout Series. Throughout practice and Qualifying, Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Mitch Keys and Aaron Hodgson led the field.

115 lpas was the distance, and with a large chunk of points on the line every driver was eager to get a good result. Mitch Keys jumped out to the early lead closely followed by teammate Aaron Hodgson. The pair duelled for a number of laps before Hodgson speared off into the wall and ended his race. Ryan Nolly took advantage of this, and took over second.

After 115 gruelling laps, Keys made it to the line just ahead of Ryan Nolly, and then Sam Gray, Nick Eichler and Brett Wheeler to fill out the top 5.

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

8

NASCAR

Photography: Mitch Keys

9

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

10

11

Race Results

FINAL STANDINGS

1

Ryan Nolly

Penske Racing

2

Khan Hema

Roush Fenway Racing

1

Mitch Keys

660

3

Brett_Wheeler

Penske Racing

2

Nick Eichler

633

4

Nick Eichler

Hendrick Motorsports

3

MadMarty Brandt

621

5

SRNZ_4finga

Richard Petty Motorsports

4

Dayne Powell

594

5

SRNZ_4finga

537

6

Sam Gray

Elite Racecars

6

Michael Kemp

506

7

Anton Bowen

Whitney Motorsports

7

Ryan Nolly

469

8

Mitch Keys

Joe Gibbs Racing

8

Sam Gray

457

9

Dayne Powell

Roush Fenway Racing

9

callum91

369

10

Michael Kemp

Hendrick Motorsports

10

Khan Hema

360

11

MadMarty Brandt

Germain Racing

11

Todd Richards

347

12

J Brosnahan

Joe Gibbs Racing

12

Brett_Wheeler

273

13

Kyle George

270

13

Todd Richards

HP Racing LLC

14

Aaron Hodgson

247

15

The Game

177

16

Daniel Huia

171

17

Hardman

169

18

Jordin Mitchell

169

19

Azza Humble

167

20

Corey Skurr

90

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

12

SUPERSTOCKS

Photography: Jamie Hall

13

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

14

Azza Humble won Race 1 & 4, along with taking Round Honors

Kyle george avoided a hitters to win race 2

Sam Gray steered his 15w machine to a win in race 5

Mt taranaki looks over

Smithers 164 took every opportunity possible to stop Harding 15

number of heavy

Blake Johnson in the 38r Tanker made a statement winning race3 3

er the large field of superstocks sliding around stratford speedway

MMJ climbs the fence in turns 1/2 WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

16

SUPERSTOCKS

17

Photography: Jamie Hall

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

18

Shaun Kingi took won race 1 in dominating fashion

Race 2 winner was Gisborne Speedpig in the 77w Machine

Soprano racing Azza Humble on his way to a win in race 4

Matthew Greeks puts a hit on points leader Azza Humble 19

Championship contenders and 711G Shaun Kingi Fight

driver

Azza Humble Runs away from the field on his way a win in Race 5

contenders 146H Azza Humble Fight for position

The last corner in race 5 was the scene of a massive pile up.

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

20

SUPERSTOCKS

21

Photography: Jamie Hall

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

22

15w Sam Gray pedals his race car to a race 1 victory!

MadMarty won the fina series aboard the 96

18R Mitch Keys banks some good points early, winning Race 2

15T Hayden Kirk gets

98N Michael Kemp had no problems claiming the win in Race 3

64uk Smithers 164 raced for a flag in race 4, and managed to get the win 23

1NZ Bryce Harding he member Shaun Kingi to

inal race for the 6b Machine

74p superstocknut backed into the wall after a number of hard hits

gets some Air after making contact with 119R in Race 5

helps his fellow club to the series title

15t Hayden Kirk makes a move under 64bg Smithers 164 in the final race WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

24

126p Asher Rees (11-12)

by Liam Wire

17b Aaron Iremonger (11-12)

by Liam Wire

25

WWW.GOFASTSPORTS.CO.NZ WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

26

27

AugUstine “SUPER5TAR” Sanson Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Age: 26 Chassis: Chucky Engine: Chevrolet V8 Sponsors: JD Racewear, Nitroline Photography & Printing, Dr Pepper Despite being in Australia for his entire life to date , current SRNZ NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Gus has been around New Zealand sim racing for years. Gus is one of the international drivers that will auto-qualify on sign-in for the 248 Global Challenge and the World Invitation Championship. Jamie Hall asks a few questions to find out a bit more...

JH: You will likely race against drivers who draw experience from some of the 34 individual rounds so far in the 2012 Kiwi Superstock season as well as teams racing and previous seasons.

What stockcar experience are you able to draw on to be a serious contender for the 248 Global Challenge?

AS: Well I have had the honour of being a member of h8rs heros in previous teams seasons at Kiwi Dirt Sim Racing a few years ago. With team members like Wingy and Eraser, I’ve learnt a lot about stockcar racing.

JH: The 248 Global Challenge marks the start of the 7 round New Zealand Spring Series. The World Invitation Championship brings the series to a close. Are you planning on competing in just the two world events?

AS: Well I have the time to compete in all the other rounds. With my online racing history and my added real life racing, I hope to be able to qualify for the rounds I haven’t automatically qualified for.

JH: Is the 248 Global Challenge your first opportunity to race at Palmerston North? Have you got your car where you want it during testing so far?

AS: To be honest, I don’t have a lot of experience with the classic Palmy track. But I’ve been testing the last two weeks so I can only hope the car and I have enough to have a decent pace in the finals races.

JH: Your credentials in open wheelers speak for themselves. How do you feel you need to transform that ability into full contact racing?

AS: Well open wheel racing requires some self-control. So being able to wind someone off if they are in the way is always good to know. But at the same time you need to respect other racers and hope they don’t send you into the crowd.

JH: With full contact racing in mind, do you have any allies or enemies heading into the opening round?

AS: Well it’s every man for himself. So really, I expect to be rubbed up a fair bit but I’ll give as good as I get. If someone gives me a break and I can make a pass cleanly then I would respect that driver and give them the room. But at the end of the night, stockcars have bumpers and wheel gates for a reason. I won’t be scared to use them.

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

28

MIDGETS

Words: Mitch Keys

29

Photography: Mitch Keys

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

30

MIDGETS

The forth stop on the 2012 Midget Car Downunder Tour was Kihkihki Speedway. The track conditions were near perfect, with a number of laps all over the race track.

Azza Humble set quick time over Mitch Keys. The Pair led the field to green, and Keys immediately got the advantage getting out to an early lead.

As Keys continued to punch out fast laps around the high side, there were a few cars making some big moves. Jonathan Mason along with Jay Waugh passed a heap of cars to finish 9th and 7th Respectively. Keys got the victory over 9saldana, Dale Grotherr, Michael Bulliman and Corey Skurr rounding out the top 5.

Race 2 was led to the green by Australian, Dale Grotherr along with James Selwyn. Grotherr got a great start and immediately started to pull out to a comfortable lead. Michael Bulliman, who started out of the 18th position was on an absolute tear making his way up to 3rd mid way through the race. At the checkers it was Dale Grotherr taking the win from James Selwyn and Michael Bulliman.

Dale Grotherr continued his winning form, picking up the final race win from Corey Skurr and Michael Bulliman to fill out the podium. 2 wins for Dale Grotherr was enough to get him the win, from Michael Bulliman and Championship leader Corey Skurr.

31

Speedway

Incar VIdeoS. SPIncar offferS a comPrehenSIve ‘PoInt of vIew’ vIdeo ServIce. from the lenS to the Internet - SPIncar can handle It all.

EDITING Have footage sent to sponsors or uploaded for fans! Send the memory card or disc, and Spincar will handle the rest. $15 DVD $15 DataDiSc

(Pc only, HigHer quality tHan DVD)

$10 youtube

Price iS Per eVent

GoPro HD HEro2

CoNTour roAM

Higher quality footage $545 new Zealand Supplier $425 american Supplier roll bar Mount Kit $95

laser alignment $415 new Zealand Supplier $365 american Supplier roll bar Mount Kit $110

*All prices Are in new ZeAlAnd dollArs And subject to chAnge

email: spincar@jamie84r.com

website: www.jamie84r.com/spincar WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

32

MIDGETS

Words: Mitch Keys

33

Photography: Mitch Keys

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

34

Stratford speedway was the scene for round 5 of the 2012 USAC Midget Car Downunder Tour.

With Mt Taranaki looking over the drivers, there was plenty to race for as the series tipped the halfway mark.

Cameron Ginns set fast time in qualifying, and in turn would lead the field of 21 cars to the green for race 1. Ginns got off to a good start, but Corey Skurr immediately began to apply the blow torch.

After 25 laps Skurr managed to beat Ginns to the line, followed by home town hero Kieren Johansen and then series contender Mitch Keys.

Race 2 saw Ginns and Skurr start deeper in the field, while MadMarty and Khan Hema started off the front. Hema broke away into an early lead, from Azza Humble and a hard charging Corey Skurr. After 25 laps, Corey Skurr emerged as the race winner, followed home by Azza Humble, Cam Ginns and Hayden Kirk.

35

The third and final race was led to the green by seasoned veterans Hayden Kirk and James Selwyn.

Kirk was first out of the gate, as Selwyn continued to fight his car and hold position over a hungry pack. Dale Grotherr made some good ground early, managing to make his way into 2nd place, with Mitch Keys not far behind. Mid way through the race, Hayden Kirk had pulled a sizeable gap over the field, lapping all the way up to 8th!

Kirk would take the win, followed by Dale Grotherr, Mitch Keys, Azza Humble and Corey Skurr to round out the top 5. Round honors went to Corey Skurr, who extended his series lead. Second for the round was Cam Ginns and in third Hayden Kirk.

The series now heads into Superstock territory, as the mighty midgets attempt to tame the slick and narrow confines known as Palmerston North Speedway.

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

36

MIDGETS

Words: Mitch Keys

37

Photography: Mitch Keys

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

38

The narrow concrete jungle of Palmerston North Speedway was the setting for the 6th round of the Downunder Tour.

The flat, slick racetrack proved to be a very difficult track to get to grips with. Corey Skurr, continued to impress winning the first and final race, along with a 4th place finish in the second race which was enough to give him the round honors.

Championship contender, Mitch Keys had decent car speed but failed to put a solid race together.

With Corey Skurr dominating the round, Keys lost a number of points on Skurr’s series lead.

With just four rounds left in the series, the championship is wide open. It looks as though it will come down to Keys and Skurr, but anything can happen and Grotherr and 9saldana are right there if the lead pair slip up. Next up the series heads to Woodford Glen the only round held in the South Island.

39

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

40

MIDGETS

Words: Mitch Keys

41

Photography: Mitch Keys

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

42

Seventeen cars made the trip down to the Woodford Glen Speedway for round 7 of the USAC Midget Car Downunder Tour.

Corey Skurr led the field to green for race 1, and got away to a solid start. Cam Ginns was hot on his tail and started pressuring the young gun. As the first race drew to a close, Ginns made his move and took the lead to run away with the victory.

In race two, Corey Skurr got one back on Ginns as he took out the win, from Ginns, Jonathan Mason, Mitch Keys and Jay Waugh.

The final race was survival of the fittest.

Ginns proved too strong for the rest, winning the final race from James Selwyn and Khan Hema to fill out the podium. Ginns dominance also gave him the round win!

43

www.electricdesigns.co.nz

WWW.SIMRACINGNZ.COM

44

45