A special Mech 101 session at Brightwater Motors was the perfect opportunity to celebrate their new sponsorship of the Triple 8 Racing team and for Nelson Speedway’s youngest drivers to learn a bit about what’s under the hood of their midget cars.
Mech 101 is a free, monthly, drop-in session of car mechanics and maintenance tips run by Brightwater Motors.
“It’s an opportunity to tune up your knowledge of car basics in a relaxed and supportive environment,” says co-owner Natalie Gilberd.
Attendees learn anything from how to take off a tyre, to sanding down a spark plug, or diagnosing a drip.
Kimble Rawson and his two children Meneka (12) and Mack (9 ), who are both quarter midget drivers, have been regular attendees at Mech 101.
“I’m not necessarily that mechanically minded, so I thought that it would be a good idea for the kids to go along,” Kimble says.
“It’s practical life skills and a fun night – they really love it.”
Kimble’s grown up around the speedway; his father used to race stock cars and he’s always taken his children to watch.
One evening Meneka was watching a friend race and decided that she’d like to give it a try.
“I said to dad, ‘I’d love to try that cos it looks like so much fun’.”
Despite never having driven before, Kimble borrowed a quarter midget from a friend and before too long he was buying Meneka her very own.
“I was quite nervous my first time, but once I started, I just got going,” she says.
Now in her third season of racing, younger brother Mack has followed in his sister’s footsteps, starting racing in his own car on his 8th birthday – the opening night of last year’s season.
“As you can’t start racing until you’re eight, his claim to fame is that he will always be the youngest person to race on that track,” Kimble says proudly.
It’s a big commitment for the family who travel around the South Island for races and competitions – all for a few minutes of race time – but they wouldn’t change a thing.
“I love to go to different places and race on different tracks and meet new people,” Meneka says.
She also loves the Mech 101 sessions and learning more about cars.
“I find it’s better to know and be able to do things yourself.”
She even put together her own sponsorship proposal that she presented to Brightwater Motors.
“It was a great opportunity to support Meneka and Mack to carry on doing something they really enjoy and to feel supported,” says Natalie.
To celebrate their new sponsorship, for this months’ Mech 101 they swapped out the usual wine and beer for juice and a sausage sizzle, and Meneka and Mack hosted a special Speedway session (with a little help from their dad).
“There was a great turnout – lots of kids and adults – and everyone had fun,” says Kimble.
“There’s a great family environment in racing and we meet a lot of other people – and the kids are making friends for life,” he says.
And in addition to a new sponsor, Meneka has finished off the year on a high, coming second in the Christmas Championships in Ashburton.
By Judene Edgar
