Abernethy Projects Secure Matarangi with Consistancy
CJ Wilson and Luke McNaughton finished top three in every race at Matarangi, which was enough to ensure a pair of gold medals for the Abernethy Projects team. They performed like veterans, passing at any opportunity and making other teams pay for their mistakes. Luke thrilled the crowd with a stunning athletic performance in Heat 5 as he raced and beat Rikki Jones to the finish line, securing his team prime position for the upcoming final. With a stellar day like Matarangi at their backs, what do they have in store for us this season?
The first few heats were raced in drizzly conditions with small surf not enough to challenge the teams. As the day drew on, the rain disappeared, the wind picked up and the waves increased slightly in size. Many curious eyes watched on for the first round of the 2017 National Thundercat Racing Championship, after the anticipated return of some veterans. Once again the crowd turned out at Matarangi, both mulling on the beach and stretched along the embankment.
First of the returning veteran teams was Henderson Demolition.Several strong starts meant the Anthony Coombes and Rikki Jones lead many of the races for significant portions before fading away towards the end. Despite powerful strides up the beach by Rikki, the lost ground was clearly insurmountable. The Green Machine, as it was dubbed by our commentator, will need to find some race stamina before what they consider to be their home race in Whangamata, and claim top spot.
Everything was going swimmingly for defending champions Craig Vare and Clinton Hunt in BJC Racing, up until the 4th heat when mechanical problems struck. After finding a temporary workaround, they re-entered the fray in heat 6 with a strong 3rd place finish. This vital heat gave them breathing room in the final race as their temporary measures began to fail them. Thankfully, they held on to bronze for the day and with any luck, their mechanical issues will be a thing of the past.
Blaze (previously Tangaroa) had a day of consistency over style placing 4th. Steve Robertson and Josiah Diprose stayed in the middle of the pack and even snuck in to 3rd in the 5th heat when BJC was dealing with engine troubles. With both driver and co-driver injured, their fitness simply wasn't there for them to grab at key opportunities. This is still a team to watch carefully as they are learning quick and improving their teamwork at every turn.
First of the two Bandit Teams entering the event, Paslode had the day locked in 4th place but ran into problems with a disqualification in race 3 after running over a buoy, and more technical difficulties in the 6th heat preventing them from starting. Luckily, the problem was an easy fix and they were able to compete in the final. They walked away with another 4th, but with two lots of missed points Zach Hope and Jamie Thomas ended the day with fifth overall.
Waikato Sandblasters had a whirlwind of a day. These veterans spent the first five heats at the latter end of the spectrum. Greg Powell and Garry Waller quietly went to work on the rig and found the issue. They came back onto the grid with a vengeance, scoring a second place in the last heat and despite a massive disadvantage in the final starting at last place, they breezed past all but one team in the final, surprising many on the beach and water alike. This returning powerhouse many very well be a force to be reckoned with and who knows what else they have up their sleeves.
Second bandit entry, Aspect Construction couldn't seem to find their footing on the day and were unable to compete in the final. Their takeaway for the day was in a wonderful 3rd place finish in the 4th heat. Matty Faulkner and Sam O'Brien took advantage of the misfortunes of other teams and edged out their competition when it was crucial. This team needs to find more opportunities and chances to push their way to the front of the pack.
Family Boats Racing showed up in style in a beautiful red boat straight off the shelf. Brother and sister team, Amos and Daisy Kay, found themselves smack dab in the middle of the pack, jockeying back and forth with both Aspect and Blaze. For a brand new team, they showed the spectators some very smooth driving, and clever passing. Thundercats is sure to see big things from these two and with dad, veteran Kelvin Kay, as a head of that pit crew, things could get interesting for these two legacies!
McReddy hit the beach in a brand new red rig, having bid a fond farewell to their much beloved McLimey hull just a few short weeks ago at Bridge to Bridge. As our most senior competitors, Brendan McWilliams and Jerry Loretz gave the kids a run for their money. With a new rig and some practice with a lighter and more responsive set up, these two could surpirse a few over the next few seasons.
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Matarangi Surf-Cross Race Results
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Heat 1 |
Heat 2 |
Heat 3 |
Heat 4 |
Heat 5 |
Heat 6 |
Final |
Points |
Abernethy Projects |
2nd |
3rd |
2nd |
2nd |
1st |
1st |
1st |
126 |
Henderson Demolition |
3rd |
2nd |
3rd |
1st |
2nd |
4th |
3rd |
112 |
Brian James Contracting |
1st |
1st |
1st |
DNF |
DNF |
3rd |
6th |
85 |
Blaze |
6th |
9th |
4th |
5th |
3rd |
5th |
5th |
78 |
Paslode |
4th |
4th |
DSQ |
4th |
4th |
DNS |
4th |
65 |
Waikato Sandblasting |
5th |
8th |
DNS |
DNS |
8th |
2nd |
2nd |
61 |
Aspect Construction |
8th |
6th |
6th |
3rd |
7th |
8th |
DNF |
60 |
Family Boats |
7th |
5th |
7th |
6th |
5th |
6th |
DNF |
60 |
McReddy |
9th |
7th |
5th |
DNF |
6th |
7th |
7th |
56 |
2017 National Championship
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Matarangi |
Whanga-mata |
Mount Maunganu |
Matakana Island |
Waipu Cove |
Waipu |
Battle of the Bars |
Total |
Abernethy Projects |
20 |
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20 |
Henderson Demolition |
17 |
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17 |
Brian James Contracting |
15 |
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15 |
Blaze |
13 |
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13 |
Waikato Sandblasting |
11 |
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11 |
Family Boats |
10 |
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10 |
McReddy |
9 |
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|
9 |
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With thanks to:
DEMON ENERGY, OXS Enterprises, Kennards Hire, Henderson Demolition and AJSRA.
Graham Harford and the team at the Matarangi Fire Station. Thanks for always making us feel welcome.
Thames Coromandel District Council, Waikato Regional Council, The Matarangi Beach Paper.
Big thanks also to our volunteers; All our Marshalls and Lap-Score Ladies.
My sincere apologies to anyone I've missed out.
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