Saw another first post and it seemed like a good idea...

"TA4K" (ta4k30)
01/02/2014 at 21:53 • Filed to: None

Hi Oppo, Another new guy, but I have been trawling here for the past year or so. My initial interest in cars is potentially a little bit different from the traditional 'dad had an old Falcon/Commodore/Escort/etc in the backyard/shop/garage' kinda thing.

When I was young my dad didn't have anything that would be considered overly cool nowadays, and he in fact has only had two cars my whole life. The first car he was driving when I was young was a 1989 Mazda Astina, a FWD eco-box that in reality was a fastback sports-hatch with lightweight wheels, a buzzy exhaust and a sports steering wheel. He usually got a shop to work on it, since during the week he was very busy with work, and on weekends he had other commitments.

No, my interest in cars was not based off of this. My interest in cars was centered solely on my fathers aforementioned weekend commitments, those being a very deep involvement with circuit racing and rally, from a club level all the way up to A1GP, V8 Supercars and even WRC. My Dad has been the Chief Pit Lane Official for every New Zealand round of the V8SC and A1GP and every club and national event run in and around Auckland for the last twenty-or-so years. His motorsport volunteer group also designed and ran the service parks for many of the rounds of WRC's Rally New Zealand and local rallies like Rally North and Rally Whangerei.

When I was 10, I got a chance to become involved for myself. My first job at the racetrack was in Timekeeping, running paperwork from our building next to the startline to a bus-turned-media-office at the end of Pit Lane. (Anyone who knows the layout of Pukekohe Park will know that this isn't just a short walk). From there I moved up in timekeeping to where I was operating the number 2 timing computer at the age of 13. As I started to do other events, I found that I would not be needed at every event I go to. At events run by other racing clubs, I had no job in timekeeping, which led to my placement as the No.3 starter.

I started working on startline when I was 13 as the No.3. The No.2 starter was only 17, with the No.1 being his father. Any events where I wasn't in Timing, I was on startline, and I loved it. My first V8 Supercar event saw me working again on startline, at the young age of 14. The year before, I did my first WRC Rally New Zealand which consisted mainly of riding a bike around the service park and standing on the edge of an unfenced wharf with a 3000 dollar police LIDAR gun.

My second V8 Supercar event came this last year, at the age of 15, where I once again was on startline. It was one of the best experiences of my motorsport career. Also last year I became the assistant timekeeper, and assistant starter for many major local events.

(second from left.. Normally it is only myself and the person to my right, but we were letting some of the other volunteers have a go)

I am currently 16, restoring a 1970 Triumph 2000 MK2 in my Granddads garage. I have my learners licence and I am learning to drive in a 1994 Toyota Corona autobox, then I will move onto my Dad's 06 5spd manual Focus hatch.

So Good Day to you Oppo, and I am glad to be a part of the community.

DISCUSSION (30)

TDIGuy > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 21:57

Good to see you got it figured out, Welcome !!

Brian Silvestro > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 21:58

Dude, why haven't you started posting sooner. What you do is awesome.

TA4K > Brian Silvestro
01/02/2014 at 22:05

Thanks so much man! It does get pretty busy sometimes, V8SC last year was crazy. schedule went: arrive on thursday night at local friends place, get up at 4am to drive to track and do flag drop for the rest of the marshals, work flatout with a 30min break for lunch, have a couple of drinks back at the house and crash at 11 or 12, then rinse and repeat. This year the event is an extra day too.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:07

Kinja'd!!!

lucky's pepper > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:07

I is much jealous. What a great way to spend your teenage years.

Brian Silvestro > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:07

Man V8 Supercars are badass.... You must do more write-ups. Also, pictures and/or videos if possible.

TA4K > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
01/02/2014 at 22:08

I'm just gonna smile and pretend I understand this.

toadterror > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:09

Hey Dude!

I'm new here too! Where in NZ are you from? I'm currently in Wellington

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:09

You made your first post, you leveled up!

PowderHound > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:09

We demand more pictures and videos!
Oh yeah, and welcome!

TA4K > Brian Silvestro
01/02/2014 at 22:10

I can try, but V8SC is kinda like christmas, it only comes once a year for me. Other than that I am restricted to streaming it online on the projector and watching it with my Dad. Although I am planning to attempt the pilgrimage to Bathurst sometime in the next 2 years.

Brian Silvestro > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:11

Do it.

TA4K > lucky's pepper
01/02/2014 at 22:12

Most of the time local circuits are looking for people to do things like flagging and such. Flagging is awesome, and if you can get the chance to do it, definitely worth the effort.

TA4K > toadterror
01/02/2014 at 22:12

Auckland bro!

TA4K > Brian Silvestro
01/02/2014 at 22:15

Once the motorsport season starts, definitely. I plan to chuck stuff up on my instagram account that I made for motorsport picturesa lot too, so club meets and such will go up on there. Bigger stuff like Supercars and Supertourers, Toyota Racing Series and the upcoming NZ Festival Of Motorsport I might do write ups too.

EDIT: kiwijalop is the instagram, will be stuff I see around the place plus motorsport stuff.

AM3R > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:15

Nice post! Man if I had the jobs you have I would LOVE work hahaha

TA4K > AM3R
01/02/2014 at 22:18

These are all unpaid volunteering weekends. We do it for the love of the sport, and in fact it can cost the volunteers a lot of time and money to do the larger events. I had a friend who spends approx $1000 each year just to come up from wellington and do the V8 Supercars.

TA4K > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
01/02/2014 at 22:18

ohhhhhhhh I geddit now! haha thanks!

TA4K > TDIGuy
01/02/2014 at 22:21

Thanks man, your post was in fact kinda my inspiration, and the history of how you got into cars and stuff. I really liked your post mate!

TA4K > PowderHound
01/02/2014 at 22:22

Patience! There isn't any racing until midway through the month, and no WRC for three years..... :( but when there is racing I will do my best to cover it. Club level I will put pics up in my instagram, and bigger stuff might get a write up.

PowderHound > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:26

No WRC for three years? Damn! I'm not very patient but I am forgetful so it will be a nice surprise when a big post shows up.

TA4K > PowderHound
01/02/2014 at 22:29

Not in NZ. A new deal will see NZ and Oz alternate for 3 on and 3 off. apparently.

toadterror > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:33

Awesome bro, I'm moving up there in about a months time! Hope I see your Triumph 2000 round here!
-
Perhaps NZ oppo meet??

toadterror > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:34

Also - very cool write up! Living the dream

TA4K > toadterror
01/02/2014 at 22:34

What, you, me and Zorro? Are there even that many Oppokiwis?

toadterror > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:41

Haha three's a crowd

getchapopcorn > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:52

Welcome! You should expect your complimentary food and drink item presently.

getchapopcorn > getchapopcorn
01/02/2014 at 22:54

Kinja'd!!!

AM3R > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 22:58

Wow! I really respect that, people like you are why motorsports is growing throughout the world!

desertdog5051 > TA4K
01/02/2014 at 23:50

Another Kiwi to add to the bunch. Welcome. Now my standard.

You'll be sorrrrry.....This is a land where things are not as they seem and before you realize there is no escape, you are trapped ...This, my friends, is the OPPO ZONE.

Welcome.