DEFEAT MEANS DISHES DUTY

A small wager between an Invercargill couple contesting their first Clubsport event at Teretonga Park last Sunday means Matt McQuoid will be doing the dishes for a week!

McQuoid and partner, Melissa Wilson, are both car enthusiasts but they had never contemplated competing in a motorsport event until the subject came up when McQuoid and his mate Todd Blackmun were chatting over a coffee recently.

Blackmun and another friend, Andrew Kennedy, have competed in entry level motorkhana events in the Evolution Motorsport Clubsport Championship over the past few years in a 1999 Ford Ka that cost just $75. They have had a ball but this season both are running different cars so Blackmun, keen to show people how cheap, easy and fun clubsport is, suggested to McQuoid that he and Wilson have a go.

To add spice to the arrangement it was suggested that the loser of the two do the dishes at home for a week and while it was close, it will be McQuoid on the tea towel over the next few days.

However despite the disappointment McQuoid says, “I still had fun. I would say to others, come out and give it a go, it’s bloody awesome. It was a really good family environment and everyone was really welcoming. It was great value, after our three runs at the first test we were ready to put the car away, we thought that was it. Then we were told there were two more tests.”

Meanwhile Wilson, who is eagerly anticipating having the dishes done for the foreseeable, says, “I’m pleased I did it. I had never thought about trying anything like that before. I only did it because Matt came home after coffee and told me what we were doing this weekend. It was fun and a good environment. I only just beat him.”

McQuoid has the final word when asked if they will participate again. “Yes, we will be back for the next one in our own car,” he says without hesitation.

Clubsport is entry level motorsport consisting of events such as motorkhanas and autocross. A motorkhana is a tight course around cones that particularly suits small, nimble cars. Competitors tackle three different challenges and get three runs at each. Autocross sees cars make a run of approximately one to two minutes against the clock. Competitors get an indian file familiarisation run before getting three or four timed runs to try and achieve their fastest time. Competitors in the Autocross require a fire extinguisher, overalls and a helmet although helmets can be hired from the club on the day. Cars for both events must be of Warrant Of Fitness standard.

For more information contact Stacy Lines, Clubsport Co-ordinator, Southland Sports Car Club, – 0275 076452.

EVOLUTION MOTORSPORT CLUBSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 1: Sunday 19 August 2018

Round 2: Sunday 23 August 2018

Round 3: Thursday 25 October 2018 (Motorkhana Only)

Round 3: Sunday 28 October 2018 (Autocross Only)

Round 4: Sunday 18 November 2018

Round 5: Thursday 31 January 2019 (Motorkhana Only)

Round 5: Sunday 3 February 2019 (Autocross Only)

Round 6: Sunday 3 March 2019

Media release: Lindsay Beer, Southland Sports Car Club

Image: Melissa Wilson (in car) and partner Matt McQuoid with the Ford Ka in which they made their debut in the Evolution Motorsport Clubmans Championship on Sunday.