- Xray T3-2011 - Andrew Webber - NHRCCC - 2011 Racing Lines International -

The 2011 Racing Lines International, hosted by the North Harbour Radio Control Car Club (NHRCCC), is the first major meeting every year for New Zealand racers. The North Harbour club run the event on their purpose built track situated in Albany just outside of the main city centre of Auckland.

The track was recently refurbished with reshaped corners and replacement curbs. The changes really made the track a much more enjoyable driving experience where mistakes meant you lost time, not parts off your car.

With 118 entries the event is one of the biggest in the country and continues to gain popularity. Unfortunately due to event timing, none of the usual Australian racers who attend were able to make it. This meant it would be a Kiwi battle for the wins in all classes.

The Albany track is a layout I’m fairly familiar with having raced my Xray NT1 around the track with success in the past. This however, was the first time I’d attend the meeting as an EP driver in the modified class. It was also the first time I’d experience a controlled tyre class.

There would be 4 rounds of qualifying with a rocket-round system in place to determine your starting position for the 3 finals. Sorting of the finals came down to a points system with your worst points round was dropped and your two best points totals were added together.

Right through qualifying the T3’2011 felt really good. I’d made some very small changes to the kit setup with 3.5 deg rear toe, 400cst front shock oil, soft chassis flex settings and a gear differential in the rear of the car. These changes gave me a well balanced car with lots of steering but also plenty of rear end traction too.

My only concern was how the 32 temp control tyre would cope with the ever increasing track temperature which peaked at a scorching 63c. The T3’2011 however never suffered from any tyre issues and the car remained very consistent throughout each qualifier.