Despite a late race problem which cost him and car owner James Kirkpatrick the lead in their class, Palmerston North driver Ryan Bailey says that the inaugural Altherm 1000 endurance race at the new Hampton Downs circuit on Saturday has given him a real taste for long distance driving.
Bailey and car owner James Kirkpatrick were running ninth overall with a two lap lead on the other MINI Challenge team in the four hour race until with just an hour to go the car's clutch master cylinder cried enough.
Bailey had just taken over the wheel for his final stint when it happened and after returning to the pits to see if anything could be done - it couldn't - he returned to the track and completed the race at a much reduced pace, eventually crossing the finish line in 13th position, two laps behind the other MINI.
The race was won by Auckland brothers Matthew and Dwayne Carter in their ex V8 Supercar series Ford Falcon V8 from the Porsche 996 GT3 Cup Car of Wanaka's Allan Dippie and Auckland's Mark Maddren and the 997 GT3 Cup Porsche of brothers Mitch and Wade Cunningham from Auckland.
Having only ever contested sprint events before Bailey says the four-hour Altherm 1000 event was a real eye-opener - particularly with such a differential in speed between the quickest and slowest cars.
"You were definitely driving with one eye on the mirror, that's for sure. The good thing though is that you don't find yourself sweating over the last few tenths (of a second) like you do in a MINI Challenge race. It's more about the long haul, looking after the tyres, looking after the brake pads and having a car that's as good at the end of the race as it is at the beginning."
"We had a problem, obviously, " but I did enough to see the attraction and I'd certainly like to do more pf these sort of races."
Bailey's drive in the Altherm 1000 was made possible by car owner James Kirkpatrick and Auckland's International Motorsport. Bailey also enjoyed support from Palmerston North-based businesses Wedding Suit and Bridle Hire and 0800 12 NISSAN.
Media: Fast Company 8th Jun 10
