Round 4 ACC Summer Series | NG Racing Back at Hampton Downs

Round 4 of the ACC Summer Series on 15 Feb was at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park and I was back in the Energy Corse TR86. Always good racing at home with Auckland Car Club.

I was running in two classes for the day. With Production Muscle Car Club of New Zealand in their Invitation Class, and also in Production Race Series Class A.

The classes were back to back, so it was straight off the track, quick check over, fuel in, tyre pressures adjusted and straight onto the dummy grid again. No real downtime. Just reset and go again. I actually enjoy that. Keeps you sharp.

It was meant to be a full family line up, but Mum and Uncle Mike both had car issues and didn’t make it to the grid. Bit disappointing because lining up together would’ve been pretty cool. We’ll make that happen.

The racing was unreal. I managed to take out the top step in a few of the PMC Invitation Class races, which was pretty special. Then in Production Race Series Class A I finished the day on the top step overall and was also awarded Driver of the Day. Definitely one of those days you walk away smiling.

The handicap races are my favourite. Starting from the back and working forward is proper racing. You have to stay patient, pick your moments and make every move count. There were some seriously competitive drivers in there too, so nothing was handed to me.

Huge thanks to Jayden and Kaleb from Mackenzie Motorsport. With the back to back races, they were straight into it with fuel, tyres and making sure everything was good to go. Having that support makes a massive difference.

PMC and ACC are both close to my heart. These clubs have been part of our family’s racing story long before I was around. To now be out there racing with them means a lot.

ig thanks as well to our partners who make days like this possible. J.A. Russell Ltd, Ambius Lighting and Marley New Zealand. Having their backing means I get to be out there doing what I love.

I’m looking forward to the day when Mum, Dad and Uncle are all on the grid with me. And yes, they already know I’ll beat them. It’s been the standing joke for years.

Grassroots racing is where it all starts. Proud to be part of it.