Previous Editions of Latest News
The weekend would prove to be very successful for Bob The Builder and the Whiteline Racing Team as you will read with a couple of wins and a track race time a few seconds quicker than any other competitor on the track. But a Whiteline Racing Newsletter would not be ridgy-didge without all the nitty gritty information that you have all come to expect! The
Cat Dealer Whiteline Racing Freightliner was shipped into the Port
of Auckland. From here, Motorsport New Zealand transported her and
the container which housed our spares down to meet the ferry for
the crossing from the North Island to the South Island by train.
This however, was not without incident, as bad Thursday, 17th March our wonderful crew made the journey from the North Island. Dave, Lauren, Gary, Sally and Daniel all headed off from Turangi – which is a six hour drive down to the ferry collecting Al from Palmeston on the way. They were in two vehicles – Jeff’s ute laden with tools and Dave and Lauren’s bus, which is a home away from home, signwritten up with Whiteline Racing. The ferry crossing takes three hours, then it is an eight hour drive down to Timaru, with stops at Gough’s in Christchurch to collect promotional gear, then via the airport to collect Bob the Builder and another Aussie entrant Jeff Macklin and his daughter Kristy. The team finally reached the Baywatch which would be their home for the race weekend by 8 pm – what a long journey (and Pammy Anderson was nowhere to be found!). Terry Honey flew down due to his work commitments.
The street parade was a real hit with the locals of Timaru with young children running along side the truck down the street, singing and chanting the Bob the Builder Theme Song. Thursday night the DB Brewery put on an evening for teams and sponsors to get together. I flew in on Friday at 2.30 pm only to find out my luggage was lost. As I was going onto Timaru, I was forced to wait until it came in which wasn’t until midnight. Gary Baty at Goughs waited in Christchurch with me until my bag arrived – we landed in Timaru at 2.30am! We were a little weary! Friday, 18th March was for setting up the pits and the running of practice sessions. There were three sessions, however, as I mentioned earlier as our container didn’t arrive in time, Bob would miss the first session, which put us behind the eight ball. With new race tyres, they have to be bedded in, which takes approximately 50 laps to gain maximum grip and performance from them. Also, it was noted in transport the track rods had been bent which would have occurred when it was lifted off – track rods are responsible for holding the front axle in line.
So before the 3rd practice, the brake rotor was replaced and the bent trailing links damaged in transport were fixed also. Third practice the Super Truck was wobbly in the steering under brakes. Saturday, 19th March would allow teams a practice, qualifying and one race. Our practice session would prove to be eventful, with lost air pressure to the brakes of the Whiteline Racing Super Truck No. 15. The psi reading was 60 pound when in fact it should be 140 psi. Middleton effectively had no brakes. Conditions for the practice weather-wise were damp, which made conditions slippery. This combined with a bad steering push, slippery traction and under-steer would make for a handful for Middleton. Race 1 on Saturday was held at 4.00pm. On the first corner Bob was baulked by a slower truck, thus lost ground until he successfully got around, by this time however, the trucks placed in first and second had developed a gap too great to catch up and he would have to be content with third place, behind Porter and Little. On return to the pit, the crew softened the rear bar which should take out the taily handling for race day. Saturday night the team dined at Zanzibar in the main street of Timaru with Gary Baty from Gough’s Christchurch.
For the practice session, the team disconnected the front sway bar, this controls the body roll of the truck. As a result, Middleton put in his quickest time for the weekend, although he was still dealing with a bit of push mid corner and taily handling exiting out of corners.
Race 2 again was reverse and split grid. Middleton raced well from the rear getting up into third position with the Supertruck now handling quite well, we feel that had we had a couple more laps we could have finished 2nd, but would have to be content with third.
The crowd were standing up waving their CAT flags totally enjoying the moment. Even the commentator mentioned just how popular the Builder is, and the huge following we have. The crowd was ablaze with yellow and black!! Race 2 in the three by three would again see an excellent effort with another 3rd place finish.
That evening, race teams congregated at Robbie’s at Timaru. Post race research and development prior to next round will include changing the camshaft which will give the engine more power; overhaul the diff which drives the back wheels. In particular, checking the limited slip operation; reline the back brakes as they are worn out; new bearings to be placed in turbo chargers which is preventative maintenance to prolong life of turbo. This will be done back in Turangi at the workshop of Dave and Lauren’s workshop, KCL Contractors. Daniel at Gough’s had arranged Gough give aways, with showbags and cardboard peak hats which were a huge success. Our merchandise tent was ten deep most of the time increasing each time Bob the Builder had a poster signing session. Oh, and I should mention ladies t-shirt signing also, a number of women approached the builder to sign the front of their t-shirts – a task he grappled to cope with! NOT!
On arrival at the track, three little local lads BADLY wanted to crew – they spent the entire 2 days with a rag in their hands cleaning every bit over and over again!! The Super Truck will travel back up to the North Island on the train, then the ferry at which point Dave will collect her and the container to do the R&D before the next round.
Having a couple of wins under our belt has further added to our enthusiasm and drive and are looking forward to an excellent meeting at Manfield. Yours
in racing and regards, Racing Photos Euon Cameron © 2005. Other photos Lauren Kernohan.
Previous Editions of Latest News Aug 04 Round 3: Barbagallo – Australian Championship May 04 Round 1: Mallala – Australian Championship Feb 04 Round 3: Pukekohe – New Zealand Championship Jan 04 Round 2: Manfield – New Zealand Championship Jan 04 Round 1: Timaru - New Zealand Championship December 03 : New truck finshed with only weeks to spare before Timaru race!
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The
folk of Timaru certainly love their Super Truck racing with the
crowd attendance in excess of that of the Super Cars we were informed.
Adjacent farmers’ paddocks were used as car parks to accommodate
seas
had delayed the arrival of the ship. The Super Truck only just made
it to Timaru for the street parade late Thursday and the container
did not make it to the track until Friday morning. As a result,
Bob would miss his first practice session.
Thursday
at 1pm, Hilton Haulage advised the Super Truck had arrived at Timaru,
from there it was taken to Timaru Motors where the scrutineering
was being conducted, then joined the 3.30 street parade. The truck
spent the night in the carpark of the Baywatch and had many heads
turning. 
We
took our place in the 2nd practice only to find
the valve on the water tank leaking, which resulted in the fine
water mist required to cool the brakes inoperative. As a result
the left hand brake rotor got too hot and cracked. (See picture
right)... We would do 2 brake rotors this weekend.
Sunday,
20th March On
arrival at the track, we were immediately swamped in our merchandise
tent – as we were trying to set-up shop we were inundated
with race fans. Daniel, Sally and I were kept constantly on the
go for the entire weekend – like bees to a honey pot.
Race
1 on Sunday, was in the format reverse split grid –
that is, the Super Trucks to the rear divided by a pace car, some
20 seconds back from lead truck quite a large handicap and means
dealing with traffic. It was whilst coming through traffic Middleton
sustained a bump that sent the Whiteline Supertruck off the track,
thus picking up grit on the tyres. When he reentered the track,
it took a couple of laps to clear the grit to regain maximum speed
and traction. Middleton had simply lost too much ground and finished
back in 8th.
Race
3 was a different format again, they were three by three, with the
first of these races Bob the Builder BLITZING the field –
not only winning the race, but putting in a race time 3 seconds
quicker than any other competitor for the weekend with a 1.19.667.
Race 4 for the day would see Bob the Builder start from
the rear of the field, based on his blitzing race time & would
run a magnificent race to finish 1st. 
Excellent
press coverage was received, with photographs and articles both
days and television interviews were filmed also.
One
of the most important things to have the success we have just enjoyed
is the support of a wonderful crew and sponsors and our thanks goes
out to all. Beaurepaires were valuable in assisting with the support
vehicle and Lauren and Sally on our team did a great job in providing
our team and the other Aussie entrants with meals at the track.