Anything can happen at the speedway

COME AND GET IT: Baypark Speedway’s Steve Cowling is expecting an intense challenge to his NZ saloon car crown. Among the main threats is Cowling’s Mount Maunganui clubmate and former Gisborne driver Daniel Corrin. Picture by Liam Clayton

CURRENT 1NZ Steve Cowling predicts two great nights of racing when the New Zealand saloon car championship is decided at Eastland Group Raceway, starting tomorrow night.

The Mount Maunganui driver will defend the title in a field of more than 40 cars for the Eastlite Carriers-sponsored meeting.

Cowling has raced well on the Gisborne track this season and clearly likes it. He won Gisborne Speedway Club’s champion of champions title late November with a consistent performance.

“We’ll give it a good shot to win the New Zealand title but you’ve got to have everything fall into place on the night,” he told The Herald. “Anything can happen on national finals night. Everyone is going for the same prize, so we’ll just race our race and do our best to win.”

Cowling led throughout the North Island Valvoline series over the festive season only to be pipped on the last night by younger brother Chris (3NZ).

“Chris is going good too and we’re both excited to be coming over to race in Gisborne.”

Former Gisborne driver Dan Corrin (24M), now based in the Mount, has also featured strongly on the Gisborne track this season.

He won the Bruce Ellmers Memorial final, the Eastland champs and was third behind Cowling in the champ of champs.

“It feels good to be coming to the home town to try to win the New Zealand title,” Corrin said. “I’m trying to keep pretty level-headed about it.

“A lot of things can go wrong over the two nights but the car’s going great, and last time we raced in Gisborne just prior to Christmas we had it well set up. It felt really good.”

Gisborne drivers in the raceFive Gisborne drivers will line up tomorrow night to fight for spots in the 20-car final on Saturday night — Daniel Cook (77G), younger brother Ethan (76G), Ralph Scott (86G), Kenny Dibben (21G) and Dave Moorcroft (8G).

Daniel Cook raced consistently in the Valvoline series to place seventh out of the 21 cars and was runner-up in the Gisborne champs of champs.

“Both Cooks are right on the pace and will take the opportunities that are presented,” said Gisborne Speedway Club president Grant MacGregor. “They are our best podium chances. Dave Moorcroft has also been racing well and if things go his way he too could be a podium chance.”

Baypark drivers Michelle Wymer (75M) and Trent Amrein (42M) are among the other strong contenders for a top-three finish.

A practice session is being held from 6.30pm tonight and the cars will be scrutineered at the speedway from 10am tomorrow. There will be a parade of cars from 5.45pm tomorrow.

n The major support class is the Sam’s Upholstery Services Stockcar Classic on Saturday.

Gisborne Speedway Club president Grant MacGregor said as of yesterday they had around 20 entries.

“Cars are coming from Hawke’s Bay and the Mount so it will be action-packed.”

Tomorrow night’s support programme includes production saloons, youth ministocks and streetstocks.

Saturday night will feature the stockcars plus ministocks and streetstocks again.

“It promises to be one of our best saloon car meetings for years,” says MacGregor.

Gates open at 5.30pm both nights and racing starts at 7pm.