Back to our Lions. As I write this, our Lions are 3rd on the Odds Pool ladder, having beaten Otago 32-26. I also watched Counties-Manakau play Manawatu at Pukekohe, winning 41-33, after a great comeback by the Turbos. I also saw a very prominent "Headfirst" poster on the wall of the Counties Supporters Clubrooms. More about that later.
This Saturday our Lions go to Hawkes Bay to collect the "Log O' Wood". I know that our WRFU President, Kerry Walsh, is going to the game, so I have arranged some room in his car to transport it back. This Game on Saturday night is going to be a rippa! Go the Lions!
What an awesome weekend at Pukekohe Raceway. When
Dusty, Tad, Frank and I drove in on Friday morning, we all noticed the car park was somewhat more full than usual. It is normal to have all the local School Children at the venue in their hundreds, excitingly running about as kids do. But this Friday was totally different - the kids were well and truly out numbered by the Adults. We even had to queue to get in - never done that on a Friday. On to the Racing. The support categories were well appointed with non stop entertainment. I
dont think the Muscle Cars got through one Race without incident all weekend. They were not the only ones. Greg Murphy showed he still has it, racing in a Sierra Cosworth that bhe last raced 30 years ago.
The Supercars racing was nail biting stuff, the script could not have played out better. Along with being the Grand Finale for Pukekohe, the
coveted Jason Richards Trophy was up for grabs. Race 27 on Saturday was won by Will Davison, blue badge, followed by Andre Heimgartner (Kiwi) Holden, with Cam Waters, blue badge, 3rd. Davison was on Pole and just took off like a "Bat Out Of Hell", never looking like being beaten. Saturday was a bit special for our group, as Dusty had got us tickets to go on a Tour of Shane van Gisbergen's Garage. Very special indeed.
Sunday started off with us driving into the Raceway when someone in the crowd called out "TAWA". Naturally that caught my attention to look over and see Ron & Aaron Davies about to cross the road. Race 28 had The Giz on Pole, Brock Feeney (Red Bull Team-mate) 2nd spot and Davison 3rd, with his Shell Team-mate, Anton De Pasquale in 4th. Another "edge of your seat" race with The Giz coming in 1st, Chaz Mostert,
Holden, 2nd, and Waters 3rd.
Race 29 was absolutely amazing. I doubt that our famous film producer/writer Taika Waititi could have scripted this race any better - and we all know how extraordinary Taika is. Davison on Pole, followed by Waters, De Pasquale, Feeney, Heimgartner, Pye, Reynolds - and The Giz in 8th! Nobody wins from 8th - or do they?
I have seen a few races in my time, but this would be one of the best ever. A most fitting Finale for Pukekohe, the Fans and the Jason Richards Trophy. Davison was going well until a mishap in the Pits with his left rear tyre, forcing him back to he Pits and out of contention. With about a dozen laps to go, The Giz started to chase down Heimgartner with the crowd going wild everytime the entourage went past. By now, the awesome crowd was as one, with allegiances to Holden or blue badge out the
window. This was two Kiwis battling it out for 2nd & 3rd. The Giz got past, the crowd went wild, and now the chase was on for Waters. Around 6 or 8 laps from the end, The Giz was on Waters tail. The crowd was in a frenzy. Nearing the start/finish lap with about 5 to go The Giz had a go, touched Waters and showed great sportsmanship by backing off. The Giz followed for almost a lap then finally passed Waters with 2 to go. This time, the crowd went up as one. I reckon you could have heard the
cheer at Lyndhurst - well almost. Two Kiwis on the Podium in the Grand Finale. The Giz was emotional and Greg Murphy was clearly holding back as he did the pit lane interview. There was emotion everywhere with Waters getting a well deserved cheer along with our second Kiwi, Heimgartner.
The Jason Richards Trophy was presented to Shane by Jason's
Mum & Dad - pretty hard to find a dry eye after watching that. I saw Jason race many times over the years, and had it not have been for his untimely Passing, he also would have been one of our greats.
