Daniel Hughes Racing

A night of lows and then finally a high for the Daniel Hughes Racing team at Western Springs Speedway on Friday 23rd.

Heat 1 we started in great position on the front row in P2, but when the flag when down sadly the throttle pedal wouldn’t go down, sending us to the infield to watch the race grumpily. A clay rock had lodged under the foot pedal on the warm-up laps and seemed to be the issue, frustrating but should be an easy fix.

Or so we thought, until our next heat race, when again the motor would not pick up and rev past about 5000 (should go to 11000rpm). Back to the infield and the pits for a rethink!

Thanks to Gina at Harris Race Car Parts Ltd and Cooke Motorsport for arranging use of a spare stepper motor (issue identified- electrics not opening the fuel butterfly properly) Dan could finally get back out for the feature.

Starting at the very rear of a field of 17 cars due to earlier DNFs, Dan made some passes and picked up spots to finish in 11th place. Dan was fired up for that race and left it all out there - including all the tread on the rear right tyre - came in like a smooth cushion!

Our driver was very tired after a week of working on the tools befor Friday racing, but the cheeky pit crew kept their smiles, thanks Craig for the fun in the pits, and to Viv and Liam and Alan for all their support. Dan enjoyed the company including catching up with Paul the Dirt Demon Racing - Saloon 146a from Flowright Gasfitting and some of Daniel’s new work buddies was an added bonus too.

Orca Motorsport
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Congrats to Ryan Baker, always classy, he took the feature race win.

AND Thanks also Alana Warrington Photography who always takes amazing racing shots

Back to work on a Friday evening 23rd Feb, for Daniel’s 2nd and final race meeting at Western Springs Speedway

Unusual to get the adrenaline juiced up on a Friday night, but the BR Landsey OWL Autosport & ORCA Motosport 47A crew are looking forward to it!
Some tickets at the gate still from 3pm.

A short season for sure, but better than none at alll at the grand old venue!

Last weekend, threatened doom and gloom thunderstorms did not appear and we got a full night of racing at Huntly International Speedway

The track was dry and slick because they’d understandably not added water due to the weather forecast. So low levels of grip, lots of wheelspinning, and a bit of overdriving by some guys and gals in the TQ Midgets meant accidents and stoppages in all races during the night.

Starting 18th in the feature race, Daniel had some good mid pack battles and eventually finished in 12th. A race of attrition with several cars upside down and a very disjointed forward and back race.

After about 5 yellow light restarts ⚠️Survival was the order of the day, and Dan managed it with only one Nerf bar wrecked in the process 🔨

As an unexpected bonus we werent aware of, the good people at Cooke Roofing Ltd, who have done heaps to support and organise the Central Series TQ Midgets surprised us with a “lucky 12th place“ award!@?
Thank you guys, extra bit of cash in the back pocket for our nights troubles and certainly better than Unlucky 13th.

(photo credits: Dad, and Cam Lee the pro at 180 Photography)

Next up, regrouping and prepping the racecar for long-awaited return to Western Springs Speedway this Saturday 17 February. Tickets are limited as the Council has imposed a strict cap on number of people allowed into the half-repaired stadium.

So if you want to be sure of a place, best to get online and book advance ticket.

Thanks always to our sponsors:

Write On Signs
Flowright Gasfitting
BR Landsey OWL Autosport (Viv and Craig, so grateful!)
Orca Motorsport
www.law-strategy.nz