Old record gone in 17 seconds

THE RUMBLE OF THE BEAST: Rob Weal driving his new B-grade beast. PICTURE/SUPPLIED

Two new hot lap records were burnt into the clay at Taipa Speedway on Sunday.

Local motorsport correspondent Carole Teixeira noted a fast track for the annual time trial hot laps event proved the perfect conduit and saw two existing time trial records bettered.

The first was by Carole herself, setting a new record in the B-grade ladies' class of 17.00 seconds flat, which came in her very first lap in a borrowed car to beat Kokie Goldie's 1999 time of 17.36s.

The other new time trial hot lap record came in the men's production grade, with Rex Roycroft recording 16.09s to just beat good mate Bruce Mallindine's 2009 time of 16.19s. Several other drivers recorded personal best times in their trial hot lap efforts on the day.

Elsewhere, the day's other highlight came in the ladies' production grade where Didi Roycroft and Sharyn Campbell enjoyed an epic duel for the lead in round 1, with Campbell executing a splendid last lap pass for the win. Her day came to an end at the finish of round two though, when she arrived back in the pits with her Audi Quattro so hot that it loudly blew the bottom tank right off the radiator and sent pieces flying up to 8m away.

Also notable was Ross Campbell, showing extreme pace to lead Roycroft to the chequered flag in great style in round 1 of the men's production.

There was a smaller turnout than expected on the day, thanks to various drivers otherwise occupied preparing their cars with several CTRA New Zealand titles up for grabs at Kaikohe Speedway this coming Friday.

Carole concluded her round-up of the day's proceedings by noting the track was in excellent condition, thanks to both the previous few days' rain, and some superb preparation by the aforementioned Mallindine.

Results from Taipa Stock and Saloon Car Club meet on Sunday, March 2:

Saloons, rounds 1, 2 and 3: Mark Oldfield (47a) 1. B-grade, men R1, 2 and 3: Rob Weal (47t) 1; women R1: Pam Fisher (717t) 1, Amanda Machiela (91t) 2, R2 and 3: 1 Carole Teixeira (47t) 1 (and new time trial hot lap time in 17.00s).

Production, men R1: Ross Campbell (41wr) 1, Rex Roycroft (8) 2, R2: Roycroft 1, Campbell 2 (and new time trial hot lap time by Roycroft in 16.09s); women R1 and 2: Sharyn Campbell (41wr) 1, Didi Roycroft (8) 2, R3: Roycroft 1. Saloon feature all-in: Mark Oldfield (47a) 1.

UPCOMING. Taipa Speedway's next meet is on Sunday, April 17, at 12 noon.