Part I

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

 

TOURIST ACTIVITY

 

Today we would check out of our Auckland-based city centre hotel and then began our exploration of Kiwi country.  However, before we left Auckland we wanted to visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World (www.kellytarltons.co.nz).  This sight is less than five miles from the center of downtown.

 

The attraction offers some unique visual experiences for the admission price of $28NZ.  They have an interesting and detailed life-sized replica of the living quarters of Captain Scott’s Antarctic hut from his pioneering expedition.  During the 1910 era there was a race to see who could first discover the South Pole.  By the way, the average winter temperatures down there range from -40 to -94 degrees Fahrenheit. 

 

Kelly Tarlton’s is also an aquarium.  They have a unique setup where the spectator steps on a moving walkway.  The viewer is then transported through a clear acrylic like tube.  The fish swim to the sides and over each visitor’s head.  They have an extensive collection of stingrays with wing spans at about eight feet.

 

Probably the most unusual aspect considering we’re in a major city during the summer is their live penguin exhibit.  We hopped in a heated snowcat and took an 8 ½ minute ride through a virtual Antarctica.  The penguins were shorter than I expected, but this was the most fun part of Kelly Tarlton’s.

 

This attraction was built in the mid-80s and is becoming a bit dated. By the time we left around noon, the place was jammed packed with families and their children.  Carol enjoyed the penguins best but wished we could have spent more time with them.

 

By the way, they offer several add-ons to their visit.  One is called “Shark survival.”  They describe it this way, “Take the plunge, without any protective caging – for an adrenalin fueled, underwater dive in the shark tank – $175.”  I had Carol all signed up but she declined!

 

 

We spent part of the afternoon driving south to tonight’s racing action in the Tauranga area.  We stopped for a few minutes for some “tramping.”  No, we were not looking for ladies on the wrong side of town.  Tramping is a form of hiking where folks just walk back into the forest.  We’ll probably do more of that later in the trip.  We crossed two suspension bridges.  These are the kind that really get to swaying when one person (like me) jumps up and down on them in hopes of scary the daylights out of another person (Carol).

 

The traffic was much heavier than I expected.  I guess the Christmas holidays are the reason.

 

 

Thursday, December 28, 2006

 

TOURIST ACTIVITY

 

 

Carol and I have traveled all over the world.  We like to see a good museum or waterfall as much as the next traveler does.  However, if we can experience an “adventure” vacation it’s even better.  That’s what we did today.  We went Blokarting!

 

Have you ever heard of it?  Blokarting is the world’s number one land based sail sport.  We were going  to go blokarting at Blokart Heaven located within two miles of the Blue Chip Speedway.

 

The sport of blokarting combines elements of go karting and wind surfing.  The “kart” is a three-wheel affair.  There are two wheels in the back and one in the front.  A huge sail anywhere from 2-4 meters tall provides the forward momentum.

 

New Zealand can be a very windy place.  The location of Blokart Heaven was picked out because it sits in the middle of a windy pass.  The blokart track has an asphalt surface with a series of ovals that can also be connected to form a road course.  Blokarts rent for $15 for each 15 minutes.  The size of the sail given to each blokarter depends on his or her experience (perceived or real).

 

You can easily reach speeds of 30 M.P.H. and it is ever so easy to dump one.  I figured it would be best to send Carol out first.  If she broke her collarbone or something, I could still get a refund on my ticket.  Just kidding.  I sent her out first, so I could take pictures of her blokarting.  When riders hit the wind just right, they can lift up one rear wheel or the other.  This is the signal to let go of the rope that keeps the sail tight.  With the sail is limp it doesn’t catch much wind.  Carol was able to lift here rear wheel a couple of times which adds to the excitement.

 

Soon it was time for me to go out.  By the way, each rider is given a helmet and leather gloves.  I had the max height sail of four meters.  My kart could really go.  Early on in the proceedings, it got away from me.  It was just like an out of control sprint car.

 

We’ll all seen the car dart left, the driver over corrects to the right, the car “catches” and then begins to execute a barrel roll flip.  Well, that’s exactly what happened with my blokart.  It started so quickly that I couldn’t do anything about it.  The kart went left, I overcorrected to the right and the thing jumped up in the air, with me in it, and flipped.  I had the good sense to keep my hands on the steering mechanism (as instructed).  The flip left me hanging up down saved only by my seat belt.  Carol was snapping away and I’m sure having a very good laugh at my expense.

 

Once the track workers righted me, I was back on the track.  After awhile I began to get the hang of it.  There were two very experience blokarters racing with their own blokarts.  Whenever they would go by me, I would try to pick up their racing lines.  This really allowed me to pick up speed.  Soon I was going around corners with one rear wheel lifting off the ground as high as two feet.

 

Carol never felt comfortable with the near prone racing position.  She says she thought I was dead following my flip.  She also says I didn’t follow directions properly and remain stationary in the kart until help arrived.  She’s probably right.  Nevertheless, we had an action adventure with blokarting.  I recommend it to everyone.  Get more info at www.blokart.com.

 

LIFETIME TRACKCHASER STANDINGS UPDATE:

 

These worldwide trackchasers are within 100 tracks (plus or minus) of my current trackchaser total.

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 1,135

2.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania – 1,073 (-62)*

3.  Rick Schneider – Bay Shore, New York – 1,060 (-75)*

4.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania – 1,042 (-93)*

7.  Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin – 962 (-173)**

 

* Warning, you are within 50 tracks of being removed from this list. 

 

** Special exemption.

 

 

 

Other notables

 

These worldwide trackchasers are within 10 tracks (plus or minus) of Carol’s current trackchaser total.

 

31.  Chris Economaki, Ridgewood, New Jersey – 301 (+10)

32.  Gary Jacob, Turlock, California – 301 (+10)

33.  Ron Rodda, Lincoln, California – 297 (+6)

34.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 291

35.  Johnny Gibson, Grand Island, Nebraska – 290 (-1)

 

 

 

 

 

2006 TRACKCHASER STANDINGS

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 144

2.  Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania – 106

3.  Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin – 102

4.  Roland Vanden Eynde, Vilvoorde, Belgium – 87

5.  Paul Weisel, Orefield, Pennsylvania – 86

6.  Roger Ferrell, Majenica, Indiana – 68

7.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania – 67

8.  Allan Brown, Comstock Park, Michigan – 64

9.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 60

10.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania – 56

 

Tracks have been reported from 41 different worldwide trackchasers this season.

 

 

 

 

LIFETIME NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY STANDINGS

 

2006 (current thru 10/29/06)**

 

1. Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 7.08

2. Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania – 7.10

3. Allan Brown, Comstock Park, Michigan – 7.86

 

**Lifetime NGD results could be affected by current track counting proposals

 

 

 

CUMULATIVE TRAVEL DISTANCES:

 

AIRPLANE

Los Angeles, CA – Sydney, Australia – 7,490 miles

Sydney, Australia – Auckland, New Zealand – 1,340 miles

 

 

RENTAL CAR – AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Auckland International Airport – trip begins

Driving all over New Zealand



TRACK ADMSSION PRICES:

Western Springs Speedway – $20NZ

Blue Chip Speedway at Baypark – Free

 

UPCOMING TRACKCHASING PLANS

 

G’day, mate.  Yep!  We’re down under in the beautiful country of New Zealand.  We plan to see many new tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

RACETRACKS VISITED IN 2006 (** not the first time to visit this track)

 

992.  Watermelon Capital Speedway, Cordele, Georgia – January 14

 

993.  Cross Roads Motorplex (asphalt oval), Jasper, Florida – January 15

 

994.  Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia – January 20

 

995.  Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California – January 21

 

996.  Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, Forster Livestock Arena, Salem, Oregon – January 28

 

997.  Morosso Motorsports Park, Jupiter, Florida – February 4

 

998.  Thunderbowl Speedway of Ocala, Ocala, Florida – February 4

 

999.  Cross Roads Motorplex (dirt oval), Jasper, Florida – February 5

 

1,000. Auburndale Kartway, Auburndale, Florida – February 10

 

1,001. Ocala Speedway (asphalt oval), Ocala, Florida – February 12

 

1,002. Speedworld Speedway, Surprise, Arizona – February 19

 

1,003. Lowe’s Motor Speedway (1/5 mile asphalt oval), Concord, North Carolina – February 25

 

1,004. Concord Raceway, Concord, North Carolina – February 25

 

1,005. Antioch Speedway, Antioch, North Carolina – February 25

 

1,006. Green Valley Speedway, Gadsden, Alabama – February 26

 

1,007. East Bay Raceway (inner oval), Gibsonton, Florida – March 17

 

1,008. Volusia Speedway Park West (1/6M oval), Barberville, Florida – March 18

 

1,009. Speedway Park, Fruitland Park, Florida – March 18

 

1,010. Sand Mountain Speedway (road course), Fort Meade, Florida – March 19

 

1,011. Anderson Motor Speedway, Anderson, South Carolina – March 31

 

1,012. Westminster Speedway, Westminster, South Carolina – March 31

 

1,013. East Lincoln Motor Speedway, Stanley, North Carolina – April 1

 

1,014. Margarettsville Speedway, Margarettsville, North Carolina – April 2

 

1,015. Sunny South Raceway, Grand Bay, Alabama – April 7

 

1,016. Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, Alabama – April 8

 

1,017. Coldwater Raceway, Coldwater, Alabama – April 8

 

1,018. Talladega Short Track, Talladega, Alabama – April 8

 

1,019. Ballymena Raceway, Ballymena, Northern Ireland – April 14

 

1,020. Oulton Park, Little Budworth, England – April 15

 

1,021. Somerset Rebels Banger Raceway, Rooks Bridge, England – April 16

 

1,022. Mendips Raceway, Shipham, England – April 16

 

1,023. Oval Raceway, Angmering, England – April 17

 

1,024. Arlington Stadium, Eastbourne, England – April 17

 

1,025. Southside Speedway, Midlothian, Virginia – April 28

 

1,026. Motor Mile Speedway, Radford, Virginia – April 29

 

1,027. Wythe Speedway, Wytheville, Virginia – April 29

 

1,028. Summit Point Raceway, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, West Virginia – April 30

 

1,029. Old Dominion Speedway – inner inner oval, Manassas, Virginia – April 30

 

1,030. Shenandoah Speedway, Shenandoah, Virginia – May 4

 

1,031. Bridgeport Speedway (inner oval – front), Bridgeport, New Jersey – May 5

 

1,032. Empty Jug, Hawley, Pennsylvania – May 6

 

1,033. Oakland Valley Race Park, Cuddebackville, New York – May 6

 

1,034. Thunder Mountain Speedway, Center Isle, New York – May 6

 

1,035. Motocross 338, Southwick, Massachusetts – May 7

 

1,036. Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Fultonville, New York – May 7

 

1,037. Calumet County Speedway, Chilton, Wisconsin – May 19

 

1,038. Grant County Speedway, Lancaster, Wisconsin – May 20

 

1,039. Blackhawk Farms Raceway, Rockton, Illinois – May 21

 

1,040. The Milwaukee Mile (Road course), West Allis, Wisconsin – May 21

 

** Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin – May 21 (new track Carol only)

 

1,041. Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, South Dakota – May 25

 

1,042. Superior Speedway, Superior, Wisconsin – May 26

 

1,043. Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota – May 27

 

1,044. Canby Speedway, Canby, Minnesota – May 27

 

1,045. Crawford County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Denison, Iowa – May 28

 

1,046. Tri-State Speedway, Sisseton, South Dakota – May 29

 

1,047. Sheyenne River Speedway, Lisbon, North Dakota – May 29

 

1,048. Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, Pahrump, Nevada – June 3

 

1,049. The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada – June 3

 

1,050. Hibbing Raceway, Hibbing, Minnesota – June 6

 

1,051. Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, Iowa – June 7

 

1,052. Lebanon Midway Speedway, Lebanon, Missouri – June 8

 

1,053. Rocky Top Raceway, Coal Grove, Ohio – June 9

 

1,054. Midvale Speedway (oval), Midvale, Ohio – June 10

 

1,055. Midvale Speedway (figure 8), Midvale, Ohio – June 10

 

1,056. Spring Valley Raceway, Millport, Ohio – June 11

 

1,057. Rialto Airport Speedway, Rialto, California – June 17

 

1,058. Lawrenceburg Speedway (figure 8), Lawrenceburg, Indiana – June 20

 

1,059. Lawrenceburg Speedway (temporary oval), Lawrenceburg, Indiana – June 20

 

1,060. Thunder Mountain Speedway, Knox Dale, Pennsylvania – June 21

 

1,061. State Park Speedway, Wausau, Wisconsin – June 22

 

1,062. Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin – June 23

 

1,063. Lucas Oil Speedway (oval), Wheatland, Missouri – June 24

 

1,064. Lucas Oil Speedway (figure 8), Wheatland, Missouri – June 24

 

1,065. Tri-City Speedway, Pontoon Beach, Illinois – June 25

 

1,066. Lake Ozark Speedway, Eldon, Missouri – June 29

 

1,067. Poplar Bluff Speedway, Poplar Bluff, Missouri – June 30

 

1,068. Indianapolis Motor Speedway (road course), Indianapolis, Indiana – July 1

 

1,069. Rush County Fairgrounds, Rushville, Indiana – July 1

 

1,070. Rock Castle Speedway, Mount Vernon, Kentucky – July 2

 

** Windy Hollow Speedway (oval), Owensboro, Kentucky – July 2

 

1,071. Heartland Park Topeka (dirt oval), Topeka, Kansas – July 3

 

1,072. Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, Kansas – July 3

 

1,073. Little Valley Speedway, Little Valley, New York – July 13

 

** Twin State Speedway (oval), Claremont, New Hampshire – July 14

 

1,074. Twin State Speedway (figure 8), Claremont, New Hampshire – July 14

 

1,075. Canaan Speedway (asphalt oval), Canaan, New Hampshire – July 14

 

** New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon, New Hampshire – July 15

 

1,076. White Mountain Motorsports Park, North Woodstock, New Hampshire – July 15

 

1,077. Legion Speedway, Wentworth, New Hampshire – July 15

 

1,078. Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Fair Haven, Vermont – July 16

 

 

1,079. Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, Connecticut – July 17

 

1,080. Little Log House Speedway, Hastings, Minnesota – July 28

 

** Elko Speedway (outer oval), Elko, Minnesota – July 28

 

** Elko Speedway (inner oval), Elko, Minnesota – July 28

 

** Elko Speedway (figure 8), Elko, Minnesota – July 28

 

1,081. Chickasaw Big Four County Fairgrounds, Nashua, Iowa – July 29

 

 

1,082. Buffalo River Speedway, Glyndon, Minnesota – July 30

 

1,083. Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah, – August 4

 

1,084. Atomic Motor Raceway, Atomic City, Idaho – August 4

 

1,085. Mission Valley Speedway, Polson, Montana – August 5

 

1,086. Rock Creek Race Track, Kimberly, Idaho – August 6

 

1,087. Stevens County Fairgrounds, Morris, Minnesota – August 9

 

1,088. Norman County Raceway, Ada, Minnesota – August 10

 

1,089. Miller Speedway, Miller, South Dakota – August 11

 

1,090. Gimli Motorsports Park, Gimli, Manitoba, Ontario, Canada – August 13

 

1,091. Bemidji Speedway, Bemidji, Minnesota – August 13

 

1,092. Dayton Fair (figure 8), Dayton, Pennsylvania – August 14

 

1,093. Holmes County Fairgrounds, Millersburg, Ohio – August 15

 

1,094. Lawrence County Fairgrounds, New Castle, Pennsylvania – August 16

 

1,095. Armada County Fairgrounds, Armada, Michigan – August 17

 

1,096. Spencer Speedway, Williamson, New York – August 18

 

1,097. Yates County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Penn Yan, New York, – August 19

 

1,098. Tillsonburg County Fairgrounds, Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada – August 20

 

1,099. Marshfield Fair, Marshfield, Massachusetts – August 21

 

 

1,100. Cambridge Fair, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada – September 9

 

1,101. Georgetown Fair, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada – September 9

 

1,102. Oakwood Fair, Oakwood, Ontario, Canada – September 10

 

1,103. Western Fair, London, Ontario, Canada – September 10

 

1,104. Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake, Wisconsin – September 14

 

1,105. Iowa Speedway (oval), Newton, Iowa – September 15

 

1,106. Harrison County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Missouri Valley, Iowa – September 16

 

1,107. Calhoun County Raceway (oval), Rockwell City, Iowa – September 16

 

1,108. Hutchinson Raceway Park, Hutchinson, Kansas – September 22

 

1,109. Dodge City Raceway Park (outer oval), Dodge City, Kansas – September 23

 

1,110. Dodge City Raceway Park (inner oval), Dodge City, Kansas – September 23

 

1,111. Enid Motor Speedway, Enid, Oklahoma – September 24

 

1,112. Desert Thunder Raceway, Price, Utah – September 30

 

1,113. Norfolk County Fairgrounds, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada – October 4

 

1,114. La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway (inner oval), La Crosse, Wisconsin – October 5

 

1,115. Londonderry Raceway, Manchester, New Hampshire – October 8

 

1,116. Hudson Speedway, Hudson, New Hampshire – October 8

 

1,117. Topsfield Fairgrounds Arena, Topsfield, Massachusetts – October 9

 

1,118. Cricket Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina – October 11

 

 

1,119. Gordon Park Speedway, Groveton, Georgia – October 13

 

 

1,120. I-20 Kartway, Batesburg, South Carolina – October 14

 

1,121. Hemi Speedway, Mount Croghan, South Carolina – October 15

 

** Bakersfield Raceway Park, Linton, Indiana – October 20 (new track Carol only)

 

1,122. South Georgia Motorsports Park, Cecil, Georgia – October 25

 

1,123. Altus Speedway, Altus, Oklahoma – October 29

 

1,124. Riverside Raceway Park, Mayodan, North Carolina – November 3

 

1,125. Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, North Carolina – November 4

 

1,126. Delaware International Speedway, Delmar, Delaware – November 5

 

** Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, California – November 12 (new track Carol only)

 

1,127. Kansas Coliseum-Arena Building, Valley Center, Kansas – November 18

 

1,128. Mercedes Benz of Sugar Land Road Course, Angleton, Texas – November 19

 

1,129. OCR Action Sport Park, Rougemont, North Carolina – December 3

 

1,130. Boone County Fairgrounds (oval), Columbia, Missouri – December 9

 

** Boone County Fairgrounds (oval), Columbia, Missouri – December 10

 

1,131. Boone County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Columbia, Missouri – December 10

 

1,132. DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan – December 15

 

1,133. Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina – December 16

 

1,134. Western Springs Speedway, Western Springs, New Zealand – December 26

 

1,135. Blue Chip Speedway at Baypark, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand – December 26