16th November 2010 Well the news (and our luck) just keeps getting worse. We pulled the cylinder heads off the engine last night and as first thought we had melted a piston. So we pulled the entire unit from the car and
with the extensive damage incurred we find this will set us back considerably.
We were really looking forward to the ELF Oil Super Cup but we are going to have to withdraw our entry which is really disappointing as this series is gonna benefit both the Super Saloons throughout the south island and all it's sponsors/supporters.
Pam & I are looking at options to ensure we WILL have 811 back on track but at this stage nothing will eventuate until at least the new year but we will keep you informed of any updates. Meantime we wish you all the best for the festive season.
5th October 2010 The new race season is nearly here and we are trying to ensure everything is up to scratch on 811. Tonight we started stripping down the fuel system and found a couple of issues which hopefully once sorted should cure our starting and erratic fueling problems. It's definately a lot of work maintaining these cars but also very satisfying when ya get on track.
With that in mind we still need a couple of keen workers on the team so if you have mechanical experience and wanna be part of a fun team then fire off an email to Flash. The pay is crap but the fun and fanta's always make up for that. Race days and wednesday nights at the workshop is when we work on the car so contact us if you're keen. Kaiapoi Trailers are still working on modifying the trailer to suit our needs plus it appears the Chevy van is gonna suit us just fine. Bring on the race season ... Yeehaa!!!
Cheers ... Flash.
17th August 2010 811 is all set to go and we have hired Oxford Speedway later this month as our test day. Then we will run at least one of the practice day's at Woodford Glen Speedway during September.
Colin Grey has kindly loaned us his tired old transporter for the season so we currently have Kaiapoi Trailerscarrying out a make-over. The plan is to modernise it considerably including a new tyre rack plus sandblasting and painting etc.
So apart from giving the car a bit of a polish up we are all set to GO ... Yeehaa!!!
3rd
July 2010 Today we finished off the installation and
fired up the new engine to
get a heat cycle through it. She seems to be running well so
now we will retorque the cylinder heads and do a few minor finishing
jobs then we are just about all set to go racing. However before
that happens we hope to get out onto a track for a sponsor/pit
crew test day. I'm looking forward to this as I wanna get Pam
into the seat as well. Thanks heaps to both Brendon & Don
for taking the day out to help get the car sorted. I took a
couple of videos below - enjoy! Cheers ... Flash
24th
June 2010 Not much to report this week except I know it's flippin'
cold in the workshop at this time of year.
It was great to meet up with a workmate from around 18 years
ago who joined us and got stuck in helping out (thanks Don).
The plan for this week was to carry out last checks and fire
up the new engine. Mark
from MP
Performance also joined us and
although we got the engine fired it was just too cold for the
methanol so we decided to leave it and attend to tuning when
we can choose a warmer day.
It's a pleasing thought that we shouldn't have to spend much
time in the workshop over winter as we are just about ready
to go.
Bring on the race season cos Flash wants to do wheel stands
again ... Yeehaa !!!
9th
June 2010 MAN! there was a lot goin' on in the workshop last
night. The new Prelude was cleaned
and loaded up so Djared can store her till she's sold.
Then Djared and I fitted the new engine into 811. In the next
couple of weeks we will get our engine man (Mark Pawsey from
MP
Performance) to
call out and check everything before start-up.
The boys from BRT
were busy too ... Bruce & Colin were removing the engine
from 881 and began pulling it down for inspection. Brendon,
Hamster & Johnny were stripping down the front end suspension
and steering from 891. And Josh was on the phone heaps when
he wasn't destroying the tyres on the Chrysler so I guess he
was busy doin' something???
By the end of the night (bourbon time) engines & cars were
in various stages of assembly or disassembly all over the place.
Now with winter upon us I'm certainly glad the workload on 811
is relatively low. Here's some pic's for ya's. Cheers ... Flash.
27th
May 2010 WOW have we all been busy in the workshop. We've kept
the new Prelude under wraps till now cos we weren't sure if
it would be finished in time. However she is nearly ready to
rock and roll after we fired her into life this week. Djared,
Casey, plus Brendon, Colin and Bruce from BRT
have all been helping out which is very much appreciated. If
it wasn't for this assistance the car would not have been finished
in time so thanks heaps everyone. The main reason for building
this car was so the team could all have a race at Kaikoura's
meeting. We may even get Pam back into the drivers seat. But
after this the car will be surplus so if you're keen on getting
intosomething like this then check out the for
sale page.
This week also sees the new engine for our 811 Super Saloon
virtually ready to go into the car. Mark from MP
Performance has been going great on getting this sorted
for us. Mark's even teaching this old dog some bits along the
way which is awesome. It looks like the
engine will be able to go back in the car within the next week
or so. Probably after queens birthday weekend so meantime see
ya in Kaikoura.
Cheers for now ... Flash
18th
May 2010 Today sees the engine for 811 starting to go back together.
Mark Pawsey from MP
Performance has
been sorting the extensive machining of the replacement engine
block for us. Heres a few pics of the engine with crankshaft
already installed and getting ready to fit the conrods &
pistons. At this rate we will probably be one of the first to
have a car ready well before the start of the race season. Meantime
... see ya's at Kaikoura
Stock Car Club's Northern Zone Champs over Queen's Birthday
weekend. Cheers ... Flash
19th
March 2010 We are all busy in the workshop with several different
projects on the go.
Firstly we have purchased a Dart engine block so we can start
assembling an engine again. Since we are so close to the end
of the racing season now we aren't hurrying this along but
I also want to learn as much as possible along the way while
Mark
Pawsey of MP
Performance assembles the thing.
The car transporter is now on wheels so it's progressing along
nicely. (see pic --->)
We also have a new race car project in the workshop we are working
on so we can race at Kaikoura
Stock Car Club's annual Northern Zone Championship meeting
on Queens birthday weekend.
We always look forward to Kaikoura as it's such a social event
even though it's in the middle of winter.
We are still looking for someone to join the team to help out
in the workshop and on race nights. So if you think YOU have
what it takes then please email
us or give us a call (027)229-4644.
Cheers for now ... Flash
11th
February 2010 Another update from the workshop:
We have the engine apart again and we have finally found the
cause of our ongoing problems. The block has cracked between
bores allowing water into the cylinders. Although it's good
to finally find the problem it is however a shame cos our racing
season has been brought to an abrupt end. The engine was never
expected to last a long time but the mashing of the pistons
into the valves early in the season obviously tried to force
the heads off the block and it's put pay to any chance of the
engine continuing on.
We will now strip it down completely, crack check all components
and then determine which bits are re-usable. From there we can
consider which way to go for building a new engine.
Our next race meeting was to be the South Island Super Saloon
Championships at Woodford Glen on 13th Feb but that definately
won't be happening now. In fact I doubt we will get on track
again this season as I would prefer to build a reliable unit
and come back stronger at a later date as opposed to pushing
the limits again.
I will of course keep this page updated as we put something
together so stay tuned!
Cheers ... Flash
New
Years 2010 This last week has seen the car stay in Kaiapoi in Djared's
workshop where we investigated the persistent engine misfire
that has been hounding us.
Mark Pawsey of MP
Performance was most helpful even on a public holiday and
along with his advice we managed to cure the problem. Thanks
heaps Mark.
Thanks Djared for lettin' me fill ya workshop up too.
Cheers ... Flash
P.S. We would like to invite an experienced crew member to join
the team to help out in the workshop and on race nights. So
if you think YOU have what it takes then please give us a call
(027)229-4644.
8th
December 2009 Just a quick update from the workshop:
I spent a couple of days at Kaiapoi
Trailers last week and made a bit of progress on the new
transporter.
This week will see 811 getting a final check over before we
all get into the silly season.
Our next race meeting will be the annual Remembrance Championships
at Woodford Glen.
So till then ... have a great xmas everyone.
Cheers ... Flash
November
2009 A whole lot of work has taken place over the last couple
of weeks. Half the engine needed to be rebuilt after the damage
it incurred to the entire valve train on fireworks night. Several
of us burnt the midnight oil to get everything fixed and back
together again plus I was most impressed with the service I
received from MP
Performance. Mark Pawsey definately knows his stuff so if
you need any engine work carried out then give him a call.
The priority during December is to strip down and flush the
fuel system including ultrasonic clean of the injectors etc.
Theres a sway bar bush I need to make plus I wanna check the
engines valve clearances etc. Other than that it should just
be general preparation work for our next scheduled meeting on
boxing day.
Cheers for now ... Flash
30th
October 2009 Well thats the winter rebuild complete and I gotta
say 811 is lookin awesome! Special thanks goes to Djared who
has worked his arse off while Pam & I have been holidaying
in Aussie. Great work dude! Thanks also to the team at BRT for
putting up with us making a mess in their workshop.
Till now the flame graphics have been kept under wraps and I
reckon Activate
Design have done a great job. It seems strange not doing
the design ourselves but the end result is definately eye catching.
Lets go Racin' ... Flash
1st
October 2009 Thought I best add a quick update here before we take
off to Aussie chasing V8 Supercars.
Work has continued in the workshop after getting the new car
onto the track recently. A few minor modifications were needed
but overall we are all very happy with how the car performed
(just need the driver to get his bit sorted now).
Djared is real dedicated towards the team and he's been working
tirelessly to ensure the car is ready for when we get back.
He's also left with the task of getting the graphics sorted
for the car while we are away. This makes a complete change
for me as normally it's a task I would do myself so it seems
a bit strange to be getting someone else applying the graphics
and signage. I'm confident it will look awesome tho!
Also gotta thank the guys (and gals) who have supported and
helped out with the car over the last few months as without
their assistance we wouldn't have got the car ready. "Thanks
Heaps" everyone.
So "That's All Folks" till the Fireworks Extravaganza
meeting and if I don't see ya's at Bathurst or the Gold Coast
then I'll see ya's at the Glen on the 31st.
Yours in Holiday Mode ... Flash P.S. Don't forget to email me those photo
updates Djared!
17th
September 2009 Haha ... we're getting closer now cos
finally made some noise tonight as the video's will confirm
... It's quite a task to get everything to "gel" but
to have the new car running is a great effort for all involved.
We have a few minor fluid leaks to sort out but at least we
have an engine (aye Josh!).
We obviously cured the starter motor issue okay too as she wound
over nicely when starting. We could still have a clutch problem
yet but with the help of Les
Hunter Racing Products supplying a new master cylinder
and most appreciatively making several trips out to the workshop
for us (thanks heaps Gail for your patience), I'm confident
we will cure the problem. I especially like the remote bleeder
Les has engineered to make the Bert gearbox system easier to
deal with.
We hope to have her out to the pits for green-sheeting (scrutineering)
in a couple of days but theres still plenty of finishing work
to do before she can actually hit the track. Meantime enjoy
the pics and videos and if ya call out to the Glen over the
next couple of weeks hopefully we may have the car there.
I also think it's time to come up with a name for the new girl
so if you have any ideas feel free to email them to us.
Yours in (Super Saloon) Racing ... Flash
Videos ...
11th
Sep 2009 Hi everyone. Now it's coming down to the nitty gritty
end of the rebuild. This is where we find out just how many
bits we are missing and needing to get sorted. The body has
returned from the paintshop courtesy of Ray at Bairds Collision
Centre and it's lookin sweet.
The plumbing in the car has progressed to the stage where it's
about time to fire the engine up however the starter motor and
clutch lines are giving us issues at present. Les of Les
Hunter Racing Products is determined to get these items
perfected which may mean a little more work now but he's confident
the long term benefits will be worthwhile. Elite
Wheel Company have also been busy sorting out our rims plus
manufacturing new ones where required. We have a unique design
when it comes to the wheels so I'm really looking forward to
seeing how the finished product looks.
The practices are about to start at the Glen so we are still
hopeful of having the car out to one of them before the season
gets underway. It would be good to have her all running sweet
and ready to race for when Pam and I get back from Aussie.
Cheers for now ... Flash
4th
September 2009 Had a couple of hold-ups this week but "thats
racin" aye. The body panels are heading back to the paint
shop as they aren't quite the right colour which is a shame
cos Ray at Bairds has made an awesome job but just not the right
shade of white. (as Ray said ... "shit happens")
The trailer is now underway at Kaiapoi
Trailers and I'm lookin forward to seeing our ideas take
shape. It's a split deck tipper design which eliminates the
need for ramps while the front portion of the deck remains stationary
so tools and spares etc don't move.
No noticeable difference in the Corvette's appearance so I only
have a picture of the trailer for you this week.
Brett at Wentworth Carrying has been running all over Canterbury
picking up parts for us (thanks mate) and everythings getting
closer to getting finished so till next week.
Cheers ... Flash
26th
August 2009 The practice meetings at Woodford
Glen start in only two weeks time and although the car never
really seems to change much in appearance we are still hopeful
of getting a run before the race meetings get underway.
This weeks efforts have seen various brackets welded in place
on the chassis. Also the exhaust manifold plates I had laser
cut were fitted. Djared and I then set about installing exhaust
headers. This system looks awesome (and apparently will
sound wicked too). Djared also began fitting the front bumper so we are'nt
far from being able to refit the body once we get it back from
the paint shop at Bairds Collision Centre.
We basically just need to complete connecting the plumbing then
we can start filling fluids (oil, water, brake fluid, fuel
etc) and then we can fire her up.
We also had Jon Tarr from Activate
Design join us tonight. He has been assisting BRT with the
new graphic design we are all running on the cars this season.
(however I'm not allowed to reveal any details yet). Pam & I are away in Aussie for 4 weeks during October
taking in both the Bathurst and Gold Coast rounds of the V8
Supercars. So our first race meeting will be the Fireworks Extravaganza
on the 31st Oct. I'm starting to really look forward to getting
the car going too.
Catch ya's back here next week ... Flash
19th
August 2009 Another good effort tonight sees us all
getting stuck into various tasks. We got the dry sump pump re-fitted
along with the power steer and fuel pump assemblies plus got some
of the associated plumbing sorted.
We made various brackets to be welded onto the chassis. These
were for the front bumper skirt and also to accept the new brake
line fittings which Les Hunter has installed. We should then be
ready to bleed the entire system and get the brakes all operating
and tested.
The re-coated exhaust system is also ready to be fitted but I
wanted to refine the mounting adapters a little. I have some more
being laser-cut at present so hopefully next week should see the
headers being installed.
Rather than continually pulling parts off the car and creating
ourselves more work it's now good to be fitting them back on.
We worked a bit late tonight (sorry team) but there was still
time for a quick bourbon before calling it quits.
Till next week: Cheers ... Flash.
P.S. Speedway NZ also approved our triple digit race number this
week so we are now officially "811". This aligns with
BRT's numbering plus it's a combination of the race numbers both
Pam and I used for many years.
12th
August 2009 Tonight Les from Les
Hunter Racing Products joined us at the workshop. We are
very pleased to have LHRP looking after the braking system for
us and Les is ensuring everything is 100% up to scratch.
Natasha Rodgers from Team
Rodgers Racing also joined us to check out what we have
been up to with the new Super Saloon. But it wasn't long before
her hands got dirty assisting us with fitting the engine into
the car. Much appreciated too thanks Tash.
Yes the engine is in the car and there was a swarm of people
helping Djared & I including Brendon from BRT
... Great effort thanks team.
I also called into Kaiapoi
Trailers during the day where the steel for our new transporter
has arrived. Kevin has a unique tilting split deck design in
mind for us so I will endeavour to get pictures as we progress
with it too.
With only four weeks till the practice meetings get underway
I think we are on target.
Yours in Racing ... Flash
5th
August 2009 Only a couple of pictures this week as the progress
thats been made doesn't really depict any major changes in appearances.
Djared assembled the rear spoiler although we have no bodywork
to fit it to yet, plus re-fitted some rear suspension which
we had chromed and bolted in the seat (hopefully for the final
time).
I was pleased to cure an issue with pulled threads in the left
side cylinder head where I fitted a couple of heli-coil twinserts
to the exhaust header plate mount face.
We hope to get the engine bolted in over the next week or so
and then get things like the dry-sump and all the plumbing reconnected.
The bodywork should all be completed soon (thanks to Ray at
Bairds Collision Centre) and then we can get the whole package
starting to resemble a car again ... stay tuned !!!
Cheers for now ... Flash
30th
July 2009 Work is continuing slowly but steadily and this week
has seen the completion of the alloy panelling inside the car.
Thanks to new crew member Ben it's now all sparkling white plus
he has the chassis looking great. It seems Djared and I have
practising taking the seat in and out of the car as we try to
ensure everything is aligned a fits correctly.
This week we also welcome aboard new sponsors Wentworth
Carrying which is owned and operated locally here in Kaiapoi
by Brett Wentworth. That name may be familiar with some Woodford
Glen race fans as he raced Nissans alongside both Pam in Productions
and myself in A Grades. Nees Racing are most appreciative of
their offer to support our race team.
The pics below are a bit random but hopefully you get the idea
of the progress being made.
Cheers for now ... Flash
15th
July 2009 This week sees progress being made on the outer body
panels of the Corvette. Some spare panels were supplied with
the car plus the originals which are requiring various amounts
of repairs/modification.
Any new body panels right now are impratical as I'm waiting
to see what options we have with the new rules affecting Super
Saloon bodies. I have a couple of ideas for a completely new
(and different) body design which I may implement in the future.
Also it was very pleasing to recieve a call from Bairds Collision
Centre this week who have chosen to come on board with the team.
I am most appreciative of their offer to help us out, especially
due to the difficulty in getting resin & paint cured corrrectly
over winter without a temperature controlled booth.
Bairds Collision Centre are preparing and painting all of the
fibreglass body panels for us which is definately a weight of
our shoulders.
We should be on target to get the car completed before the race
season kicks off in October. I'm also confident we can get a
test run at one of the practice meetings at the Glen during
September.
Yours in Racing ... Flash
25th
June 2009 Steady progress is being made on the Super Saloon and
we are learning plenty along the way. Ben is flat out trying
to tidy up panelling and get it painted shiney white. The plan
is to paint the mass of the car colour white so to differentiate
somewhat from the BRT cars and I'm confident ALL the cars will
look awesome. Djared is getting stuck into anything and everything
as we re-assemble the car and he's been manufacturing new parts
along the way. Stu Turner from the Crossing Bar & Cafe joined
us in the workshop this week to check out our progress but ended
up getting tools shoved in his hands and getting dirty on the
engine. This isn't getting any work done on his marathon boat
that we are supposed to be racing later this year but then again
he seems "at home" playin round with the heavy, horsepower
& noise making bits.
The car is slowly transforming from a mass of parts, steel tubing
and plumbing spread all over the place into something that is
starting to resemble a future race car. A few pics from the
weeks progress are below and the plan is to continue the updates
throughout winter so check back regularly.
Cheers for now ... Flash
9th
May 2009 NEES Racing welcome Ben Morris & Djared Tointon
onto the team. And it's great timing as we are now getting stuck
into stripping and rebuilding the Corvette in preparation for
next season. Heres a few pics taken today and we will continue
to display new photos so you can watch our progress over winter.
Cheers for now ... Flash
April
2009 Yes ... it's true. We are going from a 140hp Honda to
a Corvette with well over 600hp. Nees Racing's workshop has
gone from being a bit quiet to having a Super Saloon to re-assemble.
The rumour mill has been going strong that we had purchased
the 851 car we recently drove but that car is heading north.
Instead Josh offered us the 891 car which won the NZ championships
in the hands of Peter Hemi so we have purchased the car complete
with engine and spares package. The car will be prepared in
BRT's North Canterbury workshops where we are also able to run
under the BRT banner. This is going to be a huge learning curve
so don't expect us to be overly competitive but we do want to
get back to having fun and getting lots of enjoyment out of
the adventure. Stay tuned for regular updates over the winter.
Yours in Super Saloon Racing ... Flash
P.S. If you have experience and would like to join us in the
workshop and on the pit crew then give us a call (027)229-4644.