Asian Motor Sports

As some of you may know the New Zealand V8 Super Car Series commenced their season this past weekend at Pukekohe Raceway Park.

As it happens the Aussies smoked the field of Kiwi drivers and in true Roush-like fashion Fords swept the first seven spots in the standings. The Holden teams (GM to us Yanks) must be crying in their EPIC Pale Ale. But I digress.

It has been proposed the NZ V8’s hold a street race in the same area as Pukekohe Raceway Park starting in 2008. As part of the planning process the local Councils from Hamilton City and Waikato District have filed “resource consent applications” for the hosting of the street race.

At a hearing for the consent applications Arborist Mike Esson of the Waikato Tree Trust, a self-confessed “tree lover,” expressed his opposition to the project.

Construction of the temporary street circuit would require the removal of some trees along the areas proposed for a pit lane and grandstand. Esson’s suggestion is to replace the trees with cabbage trees (They grow on trees!?), which could replace those that needed permanent removal.

Again, according to Esson, the cabbage trees are able to withstand transplanting and could live for 11 months of the year at the race location, and be transplanted for one month when the event is scheduled.

My first thoughts were the Kiwis could cut down on the amount of cole slaw and stuffed cabbage they eat. Less cabbage demand, less need for the trees. It all makes sense to this Yank… that hates cabbage!

Then I realized cabbage doesn’t grow on trees. I should have known. Silly me.

Another potential problem was averted by the testimony of an expert witness. An Auckland University psychology professor if you can believe that.

Seems the city of Hamilton has had a problem of “boy racers” who “favour high-powered Japanese imported cars such as Subaru and Mazda models,” and the concern was the V8 Super Car event would encourage the street racers in the area and create a safety hazard.

To the professor’s credit he “quashed” that idea by searching the available psychological and medical literature and found no scientific evidence of links between organized motorsport and “boy racer” activity.

So good on ya professor!

As for Mr. Esson I’m not sure what to say other than express appreciation of a lesson learned. Frankly I’m a bit disillusioned over the entire “cabbage tree” thing. Not that I give a damn about cabbage, but I’m mighty concerned about a tree I have in the back forty. All this time I thought the Mrs. used it to supply her craving for Sauerkraut.

Now I’m worried it might be some sort of alien pod tree.

Cross posted @ Full Throttle