Round 6 of 7 and the two practice sessions on the Friday were held in warm and humid conditions but all the teams were more concerned with what was in store for them on Saturday - a heavy rain forecast.

The three new rookies were quickly into it with Ryan Bailey surprising all when he came in 4th in Session 1 and then 3rd in Session 2.

Ryan Bailey has leased Tony Houston's car for the last two rounds. Originally from Palmerston North but now residing in Auckland, the 20-year-old works for driver training specialist Mike Eady who owns Tracktime. He has won two New Zealand and two North Island championship titles in karts, first made the move to cars three years ago, coming close to winning the Star Car series in his debut year.  Bailey's idea of 'spreading the load' has see him successfully solicit support from 11 different companies; European Auto Spares, Wedding Bridle, Dittmer Panel Beaters, Obertech Group, Nissan Car Parts Palmerston North, Capture NZ, Advanced Personnel Services , Colin Waite Panelbeaters, Logic Computer Solutions, G.J. Gardiner Homes and Pridex Kitchens.

Chris Parkinson has purchased the ex Richard Moore car which has had an excellent rebuild after its multi-roll at Ruapuna last year.  Parkinson has been racing Mini 7's since 1973.  His 'claim to fame' is not that he was one of the four Founders of Radio Hauraki back in 1966 but that he is older than Kenny Smith and like Kenny, he too has heart bi-pass surgery. Parkinson's cream MINI is devoid of any sponsor decals other than the Series sponsors.

Dean McMillan hails from Greenmeadows (Napier) and has purchased the ex Shaun Turton car.  He can't really be called a rookie as he has come out of semi retirement since last competing in the 2006/07 NZV8 Development series - in which he finished 2nd overall. He used the two practice sessions to come to grips with car and said he was astounded how much grip they had.  McMilllan is sponsored by his own motor vehicle dealership, Evolution Motors, in Greenmeadows.

Come Saturday morning, suffice to say we all awoke to steady rain.  

David Grigor said "This is only the third time in three seasons that we have put wets on.   First season none, last year at Pukekohe, at Ruapuna it rained but our race was cancelled after chaos in the NZV8's race.  Teretonga on the Saturday and the last time was practice at Taupo."

So confident in the forecast that the rain was coming all cars were on wets already.  It rained continuously and the Production drivers were quick to find out how wet the track was with cars spinning off the track and being caught in the 'litter'.

MINI's turn was 10am and Craig Innes was quickly at the top of the leader board.  As the laps settled in he was a second quicker than Simon McLennan.  Ryan Bailey was not far off their pace and neither was Gavin Yortt and Martin Hunt.  

Dean McMillan had a big moment spinning on the infield and the gravel trap just saved from the wall.   A lap later Mark Maddren did two complete 360's spins and fortunately avoided the walls completely.

Last lap and Bailey pulls off a very fast one and moves into 2nd only 0.438 behind Innes but 0.311 in front of Simon McLennan.  Come racing, no doubt Bailey will be acutely aware that Craig Innes, on 892 points and Simon McLennan on 871 are racing for the Championship !

Racing was set down for 2:45pm and the rain had stopped for at least one hour but the track was still very wet.   It was a good clean start. Innes lead out from Bailey and McLennan but behind them they were three abreast going into Turn 1.  

Craig Innes leads from Ryan Bailey on the outside and Simon McLennan in behind Innes in the dark red car. Chris Parkinson is missing from this image. Fortunately he was on the back row, for he was in reverse !

Yortt moved into 4th and a lap later was getting closer to McLennan.  The front four moved out but the next four were having their own race.

Parkinson had a moment at the end of the front straight when he went straight ahead but was able to drive out of the gravel.  A lap later he went in much faster and buried the wheels and was there until the finish.  

McLennan had dropped back but Bailey was very close to Innes.  

As they went through the esses and turned left Innes hesitated and Bailey 'tapped' him.  Innes obviously had missed a gear and Bailey went onto win by 1.3 seconds. It was 4 seconds back to McLennan and 0.8 to Yortt.  

After the race Bailey said "I wasn't going to pass Craig (Innes) but was just being cheeky showing my nose on the inside.  Then he hesitated and I unfortunately tapped him. I did not mean to and when he hesitated again I just went inside him."

Innes said "As I went to change up I had a gearbox full of neutrals and when he tapped me I missed 2nd again and it was enough for him to go past me."

Chris Parkinson's explanation "I had a problem and think I have an ABS issue."

A very, very good drive from Ryan Bailey and Craig Innes slightly extends his lead over Simon McLennan. Somebody who has not had a mention is Joel Thrupp who finished 7th but had the 4th fastest time.

Races 2 and 3 tomorrow but what is the weather going to do ?

Media : HH Media