Round 2 of NZ Superlap 2024, at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, in Feilding.

This was a single day event with double points on offer. First and unfortunately only session for the MR2, started off just getting a feel for every thing. Low boost for the first two laps, and working out the best way to take turn two without 4th. Things were pretty slow, I hit high boost for the third lap. Going into Higgins, I missed 3rd gear, which ended up costing me over half a second, so resulted in a lap of 1:19.5 well off my PB, but known there's probably at least another 2 seconds in it. Fourth lap started well, being half a second up on the previous lap going into the hairpin. On the exit the seemed to lack a bit of power, looking back at the footage, it appears the lack of power started around the previous corner. At this point I thought I should cool the car down, thinking the ECU is pulling timing. Next I noticed a rattling sound from behind me. I spend the cooldown lap trying to work out what it was, but really I should have put it together, loss of power and knock, knock. At the stage I haven't dropped the oil or pulled the engine, at a guess I think I've spun a bearing and its big end rod knock.

With this engine failure and a busy life, I am unlikely to be ready for round 3 in March, but might be able to put something together for the final round at Hampton Downs in May.

Big thanks to Kerri and Kaz for the organisation of #nzsuperlap. Rene at NSTParts, Barry at MRP LTD - 4age Specialists, Blair at Ladds Forestry for their support, and for Jayne for attempting to keep me sane.