Jiglu: BLOKART-NZ: Discussion: BBC race day

Hi All,

The BBC race day is on again this Sunday as last Sunday we only managed one round before the wind disappeared. For those that travelled from out of town last weekend the entry fee is waived. The current forecast is for 13 – 14 knots from the east which is not ideal but we will wait and see, hopefully any overnight showers should have cleared by then. All the wind predicted earlier in the week has moved to Monday night damn.

Registration closes at 12:45 and racing starts at 1pm. If you are not a club member and would like a text if we call the racing off let me know, At this stage it is unlikely to be called off but anything can happen.

Race day fees

Entry fee $5

Transponder hire $5

Track fee payable to blokart $10

There will be a BBQ after racing

Cheers

Richard

Hi Richard

To add to text please:

021 414 536

Rgds

Bruce

No wind this week but expected to be 15+ knts NE on Sunday although forecast is changing around a bit. May be better for BPP rather than an east coast beach where low tide is around 11. Quite a few making the trek again to BH for Bay race day. Others planning on a practice day at BPP.

Note: AGM for the ABC is 10.30, Sunday 27 July at BPP, prior to race day. Details to follow.

Update on Saturday

Russell

Ray has organised 7 students (maybe 9) to come to BPP on Sunday 15/6. They have all sailed blokarts before so we should be able to get them up and running in quick time.

We are very fortunate and grateful that blokart international is supporting our youth involvement initiative and has donated the club 6 ex demo/rental sails, masts, and mast protectors for the students to use while they are in borrowed blokarts.

Several club members have offered the use of their old/spare blokarts and the donated rigging will ensure there is no damage to "racing rigs" if the students capsize. If you have a spare blokart and are willing to lend it for these student days, please let me know.

Graham

Looks like good wind at BPP today NE 15–18 knts. Most are now not going to Papamoa based on a marginal forecast down there so will hold a short training session for those going to Worlds followed by general sailing. Youth sailing happening at same time so plenty of activity. See you there
Russell

8–9 knts of breeze to start, a bit of a lull at one stage and then came in about 10 knts for a while before petering out about 3.15. The schools team was there and had a ball in ideal conditions, starting tentatively but then sailing around with the other 20+ sailors. One pair were doing a school media project on blokarts so after sailing they videoed some action, did an interview and took some shots of a blokart all ready to go. Apparently have already talked to Blokart International and the exchamge student will be joining the blokart action when she gets back to Europe. Did an hour of starting and short course racing with a steady improvement for everyone over 10 races. 20 on a short start line didn't make any difference. The last few starts had everyone hitting 2s or 3s with a big bunch fighting for the first inside line. Good to see. With the wind up did some fun stuff around the full course with the youth sailors joining in some starts and racing along with everyone. Allan was back with us after a break and seemed particularly fast. Can't think of an excuse why he sailed past me without any problem. Bit of a worry really. Maybe he'll be in another weight category again! Barbeque about 3 as the wind started to die away.
Next week is Winter Series. See everyone there.
Russell

Sadly John passed away on Saturday.

He was one of the ABCs original blokart members and during his battle with cancer still came down to be involved in the club. For our new members, John was the guy who came and started our races over the past couple of years. He was a current member of our committee and still very active in all parts of the club.

The funeral details:

10.00 am on Tuesday 17 June, at Manukau Memorial Gardens Chapel, 357 Puhinui Road, Papatoetoe.

Russell

Sorry to here the sad news Russell.

I never had the pleasure of meeting John personally but lost my father to cancer 2 years ago.

May I pass on my heart felt regards to Johns family and friends.

To many are taken for us all too young. God bless the time you had and the memories you leave all who new you..

Regards Murray.

Devastated to hear the news about John. Had no idea things were so serious. Please pass mine and Roger’s condolences on to his family. We will be there tomorrow. John will be sadly missed both at club events and on the committee.

Rowena & Roger

Hi Russell.

Please pass on condolences to Johns Family on behalf of the Blokart members from Hamilton that have had the privilege of know Him ..

Regards.

John Nicholson.

It is indeed sad that John passed away.

He joined the club at about the same time as me, and we both improved steadily. I remember John as a sailor that was very competitive but a really good sport. Always there to lend a hand he was the epitome of a member of the blokart fraternity.

I remember being sorry to see him go off to Australia for his big trip and missed his camaraderie on the track. But he came back – not to race but to be with his blokart mates and to freely give his time to the sport he loved and he was elected to the committee to continue his good work. Smiling to the end we’ll remember John as the selfless person he was. But he’ll be with us on the track in spirit.

Please pass on the condolences of the BAI and me personally to Paddy tomorrow. Sadly I’ll not be there to farewell him, but be sure to pass on my good tidings to Paddy, and to thank her for bringing John along on the race days so he could experience the excitement even though not behind a sail but on the scoreboard instead.

Regards

Grant

A nice relaxing trip at Yeppoon http://youtube.com/watch?v=bikMv4J5HEc

Cheers,

Don

Looks good for Sunday at this stage to run our first winter series race day for 2008 at BPP.

For those who are yet to register, bring or fill out the form on Sunday by 12.30. We will shut the main gate about 12.35, the other gates will be open for access to other parts of BPP. Briefing at 12.55 with race start immediately afterwards.

2 divisions racing separate races, under 85 kg and 85+ kg. Scratch and handicap. Those not racing please help with keeping times. Each division will have their own non competing race officer to make decisions on the race.

IBRA rules with a minimum wind limit of 7-8 knts. Race officers decision final.

Prior to start please all be stationary close to the start line for final instructions.

Russell

Finally, wind!

The ABC has not been able to run a race day for 5 months because of light wind. I just hope it is not the opposite, too much. Predictions are for NE 35 knts on Sunday morning but dropping to 20 and swinging NW. NE is fine, NW makes it a bit tough getting down the road but at least we have wind to make a decision.

See everyone before 12.30 for registration. Front gate closing about 12.35, briefing 12.55, racing 1 pm. Finish about 4.30.

Russell

Forecast is still for plenty of wind tomorrow. May pay to shake out the moths and pack the 3 metre sail. Hopefully not too much rain. See everyone about noon for registration, briefing at 12.55

Russell

Lots of wind at the moment but expected to drop this afternoon. You will need wet weather gear! See you after lunch.
Russell

To the ABC,

On behalf of the students – I wish to extend a big vote of thanks to Dave, Nick, Alex, Trish & Graham, Bruce & Jenny and the Auckland Blokart Club who have very generously loaned their karts for students to use.

Also special thanks to Blokart for sails and masts.

The time Graham has spent with the students is much appreciated and is evident in the speed with which they are picking up the sailing.

The students are having a great time and fast becoming dedicated blokart sailers. Even today's disappointment of no racing has not put them off.

Thanks again to you Russell for all the support and assistance.

To Ray & Graham & Team Macleans.

It really great to see everyone out there on the track enjoying themselves. Your efforts have produced so really keen sailors and it a pleasure to be on the track with them. Their sailing manners are like yours Ray – impeccable! It is a tribute to Macleans.

Now Ray we know you are a good blokart sailor, it’s just that your performance varies a bit at times. You aren’t alone in that. Perhaps the team can give you some feedback so that when things go right you know what to do so you can hit “replay” next time. Time in the kart helps. I’m amazed at how everyone that has been sailing regularly have managed to lift their game.

If we can all share the knowledge of what we do “when things go right” then Team ABC will really be a force to be reckoned with at the Worlds!

Bring on the wind.

Cheers

Grant

25 - 30 knts, that was the wind in the morning. Looking good.

11.30, rain cleared and wind dropped away. Registered everyone but by 12.30 we had about 4-5 knts, enough to sail around but not enough to race. 2 pm we abandoned the day, did some light wind races and caught up with everyone, watched as the MacLeans guys enjoyed their sailing and saw the 5.5s sail away from everyone. 2.45 pm saw some more breeze, about 8-9 knts so ran some "all in" races - 30 on the start line was no problem and keeping the course short meant lots of action and passing. In this wind the 5.5s didn't have it all their own way, in fact I don't think they won a race. It was a good chance to try some different combinations and check speed against others in your division and practice starts. Not too much cheating.

Will try again next week for the race day.

Russell

Friday night Mid Winter Xmas Dinner.

Any late minute confirmations? We have a big crowd who are coming. $41 per head for the banquet plus BYO wine. Good value for top food. If you haven't received an email with details of the night then let me know as you may not be on the confirmed list. I need to know today to confirm final numbers. We will be handing out the prizes for the 100 km race at the same time.

Race day this coming Sunday. No prediction on wind. While it's looking good at this stage, I said that last week and it was so wrong!

Updates later.

Russell