Targa Bambina 2023, 18th 19th March

19th March 2023 No comments Article

What a crazy few days it’s been!

Only a couple of months ago, Chris McMurray asked the Auckland Mini Car Club if anyone was interested in being his navigator. I thought “surely other people will be keen”, but no-one was. So I asked a few questions, and found myself getting a AASA race licence… Eeek, the rest they say is history, well there was a bit more to it…

Friday we had scrutineering, and of course, there was a little chat/concern about a person in a wheelchair absconding from the car in an emergency situation. So of course, I had to sign a little waver absolving the organisers from any liability. The hurdles of life as I call them.

Sat was a long day, up 430am, bed 945pm. In between that time lots happened. Chris drove very well, and I understood more about my role as navigator. What I thought I knew, I didn’t, and I had so much more to learn. We managed to smash off the exhaust near the end of the day, with 1 stage to go before service stop. Needless to say, that last stage was loud. With one phone call Herman GT (from Ak Mini Club) came out with a spare exhaust and parts, no questions asked, only “What do I need to bring?”… Legendary.

Sun, with BYGGLS repaired from yesterday just in time to get into Park Ferme (with 4mins to spare!) we set off in dense fog. It’s all a blur, but either first/second Super Stage we were travelling 80m/hr not being able to see more than 800m in front of us! Exciting to say the least.

With many more stories to share, lets leave this as, we won our category and the car finished the event, several others didn’t 🙂

Can’t finish there without saying a huge thank you to Gary and Kathrine for their service stop support plus much more, the organisers, and of course all the volunteers whom without them, the event would not happen. Thank you.

Right Track – 11th March

11th March 2023 No comments Article

Once again, I had the privilege of assisting with the Right Track program.

The Right Track provide a program that enables at risk youth to see the error of their ways, the ripple effect and consequences of actions. I believe this really does impact their risk assessment and their ability to make better choices.

This organisation has great impact on at risk teens and the youth of tomorrow. I witnessed first hand some of the good this team does. I’ve also heard about the feedback they receive from the learners that come through, many times they get the same responses. Which tells me, they are hitting the mark overtime 🙂

Well done to the team and may they continue.

Auckland Round the Bays – 5th March, Squirrel

5th March 2023 No comments Article

Another year and another silly costume, the squirrel rides again!

This Southern Cross Round the Bays event can only be put on because of the people that volunteer to make this event possible. A big thank you to them as well. I’m proud to be entertaining the people, the children and other runs dressed as the squirrel. All the best to all those who entered, and I trust your race went well.

Oh, and I managed to be 6min faster than 3 years ago in the same costume! Maybe old age is good for me 😀 Must be that warm up to the start line…

Great to meet a few local legends after the event for prize giving.

The first few words on the back of the race “fun run” 🙂