7B Superstock

Well season 2008-09 have almost been and gone and we apoligise for the lack of upadtes well actually no updates… We havhad a very busy season this year and it is my pleasure to announce the bus is going!!!!

Season 2008-09 Started off well in Hawkes Bay with a 1st 2nd and 3rd on Opening night taking the opening night serie 1st equal withmy childhood hero Shane Penn 7p….

Having alittle bit of early season ba luck in Palmerston North at round 1 of the PlaceMakers Superstock shootout with blowing our gearbox after been taken to the wall by 66p Tony Whittaker.

This season has been our most consistent with an average of a win at every HB meeting this season… We have had some awesome battles with Steve Jude 16B also sponsored by Mag and Tyre Hastings (go see Grant and Tony on Karamu Rd to bling up your car)

248 Global challenge went really well with Qaulifier grid 17 and having to get into the top 10 to qaulify we made it home in 9th.

Heat 1 and grid 26 out of 36 is not really a nice place to be in the first few laps but we made it threw to come home in 8th place.

Heat 2 saw that gearbox let us down again…

PlaceMakers Superstock shootout Wellington with 14 top cars including 1nz Malcolm Ngati and almost the rest of the feild Palmerston North cars the racing was going to be fast.. Grid 7 heat 1 managed to get a break and finshed 3rd behind 7pShane Penn and 1NZ Malcolm

Heat 2 got into abit of trouble but still maged a creditable 7th

heat 3 grid 2 and into the lead. Leading for 8 out of 12 laps until you guess it Shane Penn in the Silver Bullet come threw the field to take the win and 7B following him home and 4th overall on my favourite Track Wellington behind 7P Shane Penn with an impressive 3 wins out of 3. 1nz Malcolm Ngati 2nd and 77p Wayne Norris 3rd.

Hb Champs a massive 24 carsshowed for the event so it was going to be a cracker Grid 1 and managed to get a slight lead make a few mistakes that the chasing pack made the most of and i managed to come home in 5th place

Cant remember to much of the other heats but once again for i think the 8th time in his career Shane Penn managed to collect the 2008-09 HB Superstock champs. 66R Steve Hampton 2nd 31P Andy McCabe 3rd, 72P Simon Joblin 4th and 7b ShaneMellsop 5th

East Coast champs Heat 1 was in a bit of a daydream and finished 6th.

Heat 2 grid 3 Wanted to win this race badly as it was going to be the second to last race this season which Mum and Dad, Justin and Renee saw took off chasing 93p for a couple of laps until he turned himself around in pit corner handing me the lead.. white flag came out and was heading into the last corner when bump ohhhhh not again Shane Penn was up the inside and it was a drag race to the finish where we just edged Shane out in some peoples eyes but i believe Shane Let me have this one.. my race time was 3m.10.36secs 7p Shane Penn was 3m.10.44secs

Heat 3 Shane Penn leading points on 24 poins grid 2, myself 2nd on 21 points grid 9. Steve Jude, Tony True and New comer Tony Meechan in the 3 way tie for 3rd 20points

Shane Penn wining overall and 2nd equal Shane Mellsop and Steve Jude Runoff time.

this being my first ever run off i had alot to learn. Up the wall turn 1 back down then back up and back down. Managed to Put Steve up the wall also and we hadnt even done a lap yet. unfortunatly i recieved afair bit of damage meaning Steve had the upper hand but we battled on managing to finish but in 2nd place

2008-09 East Coast Superstocks 1st Shane Penn, 2nd Steve Jude and 3rd Shane Mellsop

We would like to Thanks everyone for thier much appreciated help and support this season….

Thanks to our sponsors and helpers.

Thanks to our fellow competitors and all the volenteers who have been involved in Speedway this season.

Last meeting remaining is the 2008-09 Shane Warner Engineering Superstock Autumn Nationals 32 Superstocks its going to be a great night,,,, Dont miss it

Thanks again

Terry and the 7b Superstock crew

Please check out Kenley Browns fantastic videos of  7b by going to our video page or  www.youtube.com/ministock44b

Superstock 7B 2007/08 Season reviews:

Starting with the low points for the 7b Superstock team we had an up and down season. Starting off with the throttle jamming on in the first race opening night in Palmerston North.

Next with the centre of the right rear rim splitting and braking off in the final heat of the Dudding Contractors opening night champs in Meeanee after being in a 3 way tie with 5G Joe Faram and 31P Andy McCabe.

Then we had the engine blow up just after passing 4B John Hynds to take the lead. Getting rolled in a home meeting by Steve O’Dwyer.

Placing 7th in out group of the NZ champs in Wanganui with only the first 6 going though then leading the repercharge and hitting a spun car before getting the white flag.

Now for the high points:

Taking 2 2nds opening night at Meeanee to be in a 3 way tie. And finishing 3rd.

Winning a feature race in Palmerston North with 25 cars including 7p (3nz) Shane Penn ex 1nz’s Simon Joblin, Barry Podjursky ex 3nz Royden Collingwood, Wayne Norris, Scott Miers, and most of the big names of modern day Superstock racing.

Placing 2nd in the 2008 East Coast champs behind a very deserving winner and a very consistent racer Andy McCabe.

Placing 2nd in the PlaceMakers Superstock Shootout behind 5p Bruce Ward and just edging out 71P and good friend Kim Lace.

Gaining a spot in the Shane Warner Engineering Superstock Autumn Nations top 10 shootout along with Shane Penn, Andy McCabe, Pat Westbury, Kim Lace, Wayne Norris, Malcolm Ngati, Kevin Smith and 2 first year drivers who have a awesome Superstock career ahead in 57P Dave Tarrant and good friend Sam Bartholomew.

Achieving the 1st non Palmerston North contracted driver in the Palmerston Points.

Achieving best presented car and crew in HB Speedway for the 2nd time in 3 years.

What have we been up to:

The car has been fully stripped with the engine going to Bryan Hartley at The Head shop,

The steel work has been done with a HUGE thanks going to Shane’s workmates Mike Zachan and Matthew Paviour for the 70 hours the 3 spent on the chassis last weekend, Bob Hawley from Red Steel for allowing Shane and the guys to work on the car at work.

Jeff Howell for the help in stripping the car.

Dave and Sam Bartholomew for allowing us to borrow their engine lift that has seem to have found a permanent spot in our shed.

This week we hope to mount the new wing and fabricate some 4 Bar Suspension mounts.

Terry and Shane would like to Thank:

Shane and Bryce Penn for their help and support over the season.

Gary Foley for his help and support and painting of the chassis.

Dean at Signitup for his awesome job on the body, Dean is not just a sign writer he is an artist with an eye for detail.

Craig Owens for his awesome paint job. And allowing Shane to drive his car in Strattford for the PlaceMakers Superstock shootout.

Jeff Howell for his help and support and traveling.

And everyone who has supported Shane though the high and low points of the season. We have made a lot of close friendships this season which shows how good of an environment speedway continues to have.

We would like to Thank all our sponsors for the ongoing support and look forward to sharing a successful season in 2008/09

We have attached some photos of the off season rebuild.

Thanks

Terry and Shane

Friday night: Race 1 drew grid 12 out of 13 cars, Shane really knows how to make it tough for himself. Lap 1 with the track been watered got a good start and up to about 5th red lights were activated as 41B Michael Pryor has rolled. Green goes and 8B Craig Owens leaves the door open and Shane moves into 3rdnd and that is how race 1 finished. 1St 16B Steve Jude 2nd 7B Shane Mellsop, 3rd 7P Shane Penn. behind 16B Steve Jude and 55B Tony True. Shane manages to get past Tony and into 2

Race 2 Grid 5 next to Shane Penn. Lap 1 and the 2 Shane’s manage to get out in front and probably one of the highlights of Shane Mellsops racing career to date was getting up beside Shane Penn. A fairly uneventful race. 1St Shane Penn, 2nd Shane Mellsop, 3rd the ever consistant 31P Andy McCabe.

Race 3 grid 5. First corner and Shane Penn’s bonnet on the Silver Bullet goes flying, the reds are activated and 7P Shane Penn is taken off. Again an uneventful race.

1st 31P Andy McCabe, 2nd Shane Mellsop and 3rd Tony True.

The points after first night: Shane Mellsop 78points

Andy McCabe 74 points

Tony True 68 Points

Saturday morning with not much to do to the car it’s a quick wash and a nut and bolt check, Paint and polish and 7B’s ready to go.

Saturday Night: Race 1: Grid 9 another back grid. Shane manages to make his way up to 3rd in behind 31P and 5G managing to stay in 3rd for the rest of the race another good result.

Race 2: Grid 3 with nobody on 1. Shane gets the jump and into the lead unfortunately making a few mistakes 16B Steve Jude gets underneath Shane. Unfortunately 6K Kerry Remnant has a poke at Shane and half spins him losing a few positions to Andy McCabe and Tony True. So Shane gets on the pace again chases Tony just before catching Tony that 6K has another poke and gives Shane a flat right tyre with a lap to go. Shane comes home in 7th place.

Race 3: Grid 9 again with only 7 cars still going Shane needed a good race. Green lights on and Shane is up to 4th before the 1st corner. Knowing he had to beat 16B Steve Jude, Steve got abit crossed up in front of Shane and Shane manages to just clip him and turn him around. 5G Joe Faram starts giving Shane a couple of taps from behind and gets up the inside. Red lights are activated to tow 98P Clive Elliot. Shane manages to set his car up abit better for the restart than Joe and gets the jump with a lap to go Shane brought 7b home in 3rd.

Back to the pits and with the 6 race format we dropped our worst which was a 7th leaving 3 x 2nds and 2 x 3rds.

31P Andy McCabe taking out the 2008 East Coast Superstock champs and very well deserved. Andy is always consistently on the pace anywhere he races. Shane Mellsop won a trophy in his 1st year in Superstocks “Best 1st year driver” Andy won that very trophy in 1987- The year Shane was born.

7B Shane Mellsop taking 2nd which we are very pleased with.

55B Tony True getting home in 3rd 1 point in front of Steve Jude. Tony has had an up and down racing career with back injuries. If you are ever looking for Speedway engineering to be done Tony is the man for the job.

16B Steve Jude is back racing after a 6 year holiday and is racing extremely well in the Gordge copy Nissan V8.

Also we must mention these young guys racing at HB Speedway

6B Adam Groome: who drove His Dad Mikes car as his diff was not ready.

For someone in their 1st half season Adam drove very well all weekend

improving every race. Adam you did yourself, Family and friends proud.

10B Sam Bartholomew: Sam is driving his Dads ex Superstock. This being Sam’s 1st season racing he is showing some real promise. Keep it up Sam.

So Hawkes Bay Superstocks are starting to look good for the future. Because we all want to win that Teams Champs.

We would like to Thank our sponsors for all your support it is very much appreciated. Also our fans that support us week in week out.

Thank you.

Superstock 7B Team

2008 NZ Superstock Champs Wanganui 21/22/23 February 2008

Thursday morning 7am, Terry, Hayley and Carl leave for Wanganui in the PlaceMakers truck and 7b Superstock on the trailer behind, Thanks to Craig for the trailer. Jeff, Elyse, Ashtyn and Shane leave at a descent hour. They arrive in Wanganui around 4pm, so with practice a few hours away decide to have a bit of a lie down. 5.30pm we head out to see how the track is and get the car going around that tight little Wanganui oval. First practice and the car is set up really lose (wants to spin around) so we make a few little adjustments and go out again, and now when the brakes come on the car pulls to the right so hold on what’s going on here? We decide to load up and check the front left brake out in the morning. We would like to thank 591P Wayne Hemi for his help and advice at practice, hope we can return the favour one day.

Friday morning we get up and unload the car. We start going though the left hand brake and find the rotor has seen better days so off goes Shane, Terry and Carl to BNT while Tony True, Groomey and Jeff check the set up. We get back and find they have fixed the brakes. So we now have a spare brake rotor. So give the car a quick set up check and polish and off the scruitineering. Thanks to Tony True. Mike Groome and everyone else for their AWESOME effort, it is much appreciated.

Now the serious part with Grid draws done at scruitineering we ended up with 6-16-10 not the best on the outside all night long but we will get through that.

Race 1. Grid 6 Flag drops and Shane gets straight over to the inside and spins 24P Russell Harrop(by mistake) Sitting in 2^nd place nicely the red lights come on and 58p 77p and 96h sneak a few spots. Green again and soon the right side exhaust system gets knocked off 7b and man is she loud. 5G Joe Faram decides he doesn’t want Shane near the front so turns Shane into the concrete, back to last with 2 laps to go and not much we can do so 13^th..

Race 2 after the exhaust fitted back up. Grid 16. Once again the plan was get to the inside so that’s what we did and it worked, made our way up to approx 10^th and kept going forward and finished a very good 5^th place.

Race 3 currently 9^th in group and 6 go though so there was 1 goal FINISH and finish well.

Grid 10 again same plan. Managing to stay out of trouble and making up some good positions coming home about 8th. Finishing 7^{th= with} 16B Steve Jude in our group unfortunately not enough to get through.

Saturday morning off to Murray Longs father- in- laws, to wash the car and repair the exhaust, which we managed to do, thanks to Jeff for his hard work. Murray for his knowledge and everyone else who helped we couldn’t have done it without you.

Saturday Afternoon off to the track for scruitineering and the all important winner take all repocharge. Grid 3. Well with Wanganui’s famous tight 1^st bend we had to get out of there as quick as possible. We did and turn 3 Shane was leading. A few laps into the race 23C was seen waiting and yes sure enough it was for 7b. Swing and a slight touch but not enough to slow Greased Lightning. 2 laps later again here’s that 23C and again swing and a miss. Unfortunately it all went downhill and a spinning car left Shane no where to go but into him. 492C Campbell McManaway took the lead and the white flag. Shane’s qualifying hopes over, then 24 B Gary Foley took the 23C car into that tight corner, setting him up nicely for Shane to give him a bit of pay back, accordingly Shane grabbed the chance taking off part of the 23c  bumper as he  carried on.

Back in the pits it was  congratulations, hand shakes and a well done to Campbell, that’s what Stockcar racing is all about. 7B having to much damage to finish the rest of the night (crew wanted to watch finals) it was onto the trailer, and up to the bank to watch  what was 3 awesome Superstock races.

Congratulations 92R Kyle Fraser for winning the most prized trophy in NZ Superstocks 1NZ, Wayne Hemi for his well earned 2NZ. And Darryl Taylor a very well deserved 3NZ.

Thanks Shane, Terry and the greased lightning Superstock team

248 Global challenge Palmerston North

With Shane Penn driving the car tonight as John Lund 9 times world champion driving the Silver Bullet it was going to be a good night to learn. Heat 1 Shane was on grid 4 the green flag dropped and first corner Shane hit the lead and 15 laps later he took the win good first race in a familiar car.

Heat 1 Superstock Global Challenge. Shane got a good start and made his was up to 3^rd Royden Collingwood decided he wanted that place more so half spun Shane but unable to finish the job off Shane got away again but with a flat left front tyre. Shane Penn still managed to keep good pace and finished 7^th. Heat 2 Shane somewhere near the back of the pack was going at a steady pace and picking off cars until he got passed 85H Jarrod Wade and Wade decided he didn’t like that and spun Shane out in pit corner. Shane trying to get the car going but she just wouldn’t fire at least 15 cars managed to dodge Shane just that 85H managed to hit Shane and do abit of damage. So red lights and we are taken off. When the car gets back to the pits we find damage and a lot of it. R/h side wheelguard, Diff pan arm bar bent front axle had seen better days and no brakes. Shane Penn decides that’s enough damage for the night and we load up. We would like to congratulate 66p Kelvin Gray taking the 2008 Global challenge in an immaculately presented car or Steve Hampton. Frankie Wainman Jnr and Stuart Smith for taking 2^nd and 3^rd respectively these guys can sure drive.

We would like to Thank Bryce, Shane, Gary Penn, Robbie, Peter and their families for their help and support

Thanks Superstock 7B team

Saturday 12/01/8 off racing in Palmerston North leaving Mum and Dad at home. Just before entering the Manawatu gorge we get a flat tyre on the trailer and we all remember what happened when our trailer caught fire the 7b engine blew up the next night. After some help from fellow Hawkes Bay racer Gary Foley we get going. Finally getting to Palmerston North International speedway.

Race 1 grid 5 Shane gets a good start and into turn 1 and a small pile up luckily Shane manages to miss the pile up and gains a short lived 2^nd place till 3nz Shane Penn takes that away the car seemed to be not quite handling like Shane wanted it to but Shane managed to pick up 5^th position with 21 Cars in the race Shane was pretty happy with that.

Race 2 Grid 17 near the back of the pack a really quiet but fast race and Shane manages to make his was up to 12^th in that race with that field of cars including currant 1nz and 3nz ex 1nz and ex 3nz and many locals more than capable of taking any of the top 3 places in major meetings.

Race 3: Grid 3: Shane gets a good start and gets into 2^nd behind 53p Supertanker Kevin Roberts and manages to make his way past entering turn 2 and takes the lead. What a feeling for Shane leading heat 3 and making the most of it. After listening to the advice of Superstock legend Bryce Penn Shane has his mirrors out for the past 4 meetings so without looking back (literally) Shane took his first ever race win in Palmerston North Infact his first top 3 and what a night to do that. What a feeling for Shane. Shane Penn, Shane’s childhood hero coming home in 2^nd place. Infact it’s the first time Shane has won a race with Sir Shane Penn in it so another high for Shane Mellsop. After loading the car on the trailer now with 4 wheels again Elyse hands the phone to Shane still sitting in the car and it’s Dad who is gutted not to be there to share the moment with the 7b team. Shane would like to personally thank Dad and Mum for the opportunity to drive such an awesome Superstock. Elyse, Hayley, Denise and Dayna for their ongoing support. Jeff, Craig, Carl, Murray, Mark Walford, Shane and Bryce Penn, Tony True for their help on keeping the car going and giving some much appreciated advice. And also Mike Zachan for his help and support. Shane would also like to Thank all of the people that put the positive comments and congratulated Shane after the race win of the season.

Also Shane would like to clear up any thoughts of why he is not Teams Racing after a joint decision by Terry and Shane we decided that we were not quite ready to teams race. Maybe next year if we prove we are ready and good enough to make the team. We will be at teams champs giving our 110% support and help with the Hawkes Bay Hawkeyes team that consists of 16B Steve Jude, 24B Gary Foley, 59B Steve O’Dwyer, 81B Trevor Mason and 96B Murray Long and 6^th driver Brent Larson

Thanks

Team 7B

Super Saloon Series Hawkes Bay 2/02/08

Heat 1 drew grid 9. Good to have 19 Superstocks at Hawkes Bay and another note 13 of them had B’s on them! We got a good start and managed to make up a few spots in the opening lap and the track being abit wet actually helped us knowing how to drive a wet track at Meeanee really helps. I was really enjoying this race, by midway we were running 3^rd behind Joe Faram and a very quick Andy McCabe this season. Going though some lap traffic of Adam Groome having a good race in his first race you should be proud. Mike Groome and Steve O’Dwyer. Steve got abit crossed up in the unfamiliar car of Wally True’s and Shane had nowhere to go but into him and the both got away again. Steve got abit out of control just as Shane went passed and clipped Shane’s right rear wheelguard reverse spinning Shane straight into the wall at full speed resulting in as you can see by Chris Morris’s (www.racepics.co.nz)  quick photography in a good rollover. Landing back on our wheels Shane thinks wonder if she will go and she did. Just as the red lights come on Shane turned around and was ready for racing but unfortunately funnily enough the Anti-Roll bar broke and without knowing the damaged Shane took the safer option and pulled off. Back in the pits we got into work but later deciding with the NZ Champs only 2 weeks away rather than make the next 2 weeks even busier we decided this was enough and loaded up. Damage was a wing and some body damage.

We would like to clear up that the hit done on 65B John Hynd had nothing to do with the spin John did on Murray Long.  As a fellow competitor you do not like seeing what happened to John happen to anyone. The Superstock 7B team would like to wish John his family and crew a good recovery and look forward to seeing you at team champs if not before.

Shane would like to wish the Hawkes Bay Hawkeyes and the other 11 teams the best of luck for the Team Champs in Palmerston North this Friday and Saturday night it’s going to be awesome. Hope we can all drive there and home safely

Superstock 7B team

The bus is being repowered with an Isuzu 6 BGI intercooled turbo engine and 7 speed transmission.  We hope to have it finished within the next couple of weeks and are determined to beat the Volvo of Shane Penn up the Te Aute (or any other) hill  

Thanks to all of our crew, supporters and fans, special thanks to our sponsors, we hope to give you great value for your much appreciated financial support.  If you see us at the track, feel free to come and have a chat, we may even have some ’specials’ on t-shirts.

Meanwhile thanks again to all of the other competitors, volunteers and helpers who make speedway what it is.

Editor in Disguise…….

and

Shane Mellsop – Superstock 7B

The fine but freezing cold night, Meeanee was cancelled so there were plenty of HB supporters in town!  19 cars lined up and we managed 5th place in both of the first two races.  Race 2 we nearly rolled as an out of control 96P took us to the wall.  Two bent rims and front axle made race 3 difficult to drive also with the slicked off track we should have changed our set up as the car would just not perform and we finished down the field.  Our next meeting is Meeanee Guy Fawkes night – November 10th then Stratford for Round 2 of the PlaceMakers Superstock Series – 17th November.