At the Riverside Speedway in Invercargill, he stormed from 15th on the grid to win the third and final heat and, with it, the New Zealand title. It was a first New Zealand championship for the 36-year-old.
Gooch made the New Zealand podium in Blenheim (third) in the 2008-2009 season and in Gisborne (third) in 2011-2012.
“It has been a long season,” he said.
“I’ve got to give out huge thanks to my dad Neil for all his support.
“The whole Gisborne club really stepped up this season, with Ethan Rees (1NZ stock cars) and Ethan Cook (NZ Saloon Grand Prix) doing so well,” Brenden Gooch said.
“The club should be proud of what everyone has achieved.”
Club president Grant MacGregor said in his prize-giving speech that last season the Gisborne club had more 1NZ results than any other club.
He congratulated the winners and everyone in the club for their results and efforts during a “very good” season.
Seth McKay (48G) was named the club’s Youth Ministock Competitor of the Year.
Long-time speedway racer Reece Lister was awarded life membership of the Gisborne Speedway Club in recognition of his 38-year involvement in speedway.
“It was very humbling,” Lister said.
“It tells me I might have been in the sport too long.”
Lister started out in saloons, then moved to stockcars, sprint cars and finally six-shooters.
He has also worked on and driven three water carts over the years at the Gisborne speedway.
“Being in speedway becomes part of you, and you enjoy doing it. I still do, very much.”
Retiring Speedway New Zealand president David Jones, of Hawke’s Bay, attended the prize-giving.
Club awards —
Stockcars — Battler: Jordan Fleetwood. Stirrer: James Clarke. Most improved: Bryce Harding. Most improved first year: Mason O’Dwyer. Most consistent: Jason Lovell. Best-kept car: Mike Herbert. Lloyd Cup: Jonny Morley. Ashley Scott Memorial Trophy: James Kirk. Main points runner-up: Jason Lovell. Main points winner: Mason O’Dwyer. Feature points: Willy McClune. Ralph Ghent Memorial Trophy (Gladiator team support): Georgia Mallia and Dave Bacon. The Gladiator of the year: Ethan Rees.
Saloons — Most consistent: Hamish Moore. Best-kept car: Hamish Moore. Trevor Allen Memorial Trophy: Daniel Cook. Colin Top Memorial Trophy: Hamish Moore. Main points runner-up: Daniel Cook. Main points: Hamish Moore. Feature points: Bailey Curtis.
Production saloons — Most consistent: Bryce Simpson. Most improved: Kaleb McKay. Best-kept: Crystal Peach. Champion of champions: Dave Gooch. Walsh Memorial Trophy: Anton McKay. Best-performing front-wheel-drive: Dave Gooch. Best-performing rear-wheel-drive: Bryce Simpson. Main points runner-up: Dave Gooch. Main points winner: Crystal Peach. Feature: Dave Gooch.
Streetstocks — Battler: Neil Gooch. Stirrer: David Hampton. Most improved: Jared Ingoe. Best-presented: Brenden Gooch. Champion of champions: Brenden Gooch. Main points runner-up: David Hampton. Main points winner: Brenden Gooch. Feature points: Brenden Gooch.
Ministocks — Battler: Connor Humphries. Most improved: Seth McKay. Most improved first year, best-presented car, female competitor with most accumulated points, most race meetings: Jyneika Hollis-Peach. Main points runner-up: Jyneika Hollis-Peach. Main points: Seth McKay. Feature points: Sammy Durston.
Sidecars — Battler: Rob Miller. Best-presented: Jason Rees. Law-Cartmell Memorial Trophy: Rob Miller/Red George. Rider of the year: Rob Miller. Swinger of the year: Callum Innes. Sidecar ambassador: Graham Rylott.
Roll of the year: Peter Rees (NZ stockcars).
Commentator Cup for the “incident” of the year: Stu Priest and Albie Cookson (sidecar crash).
Pit crew of the year: Chris Lovell.
Most supportive ministock person: Kiley McKay.
Club woman of the year: Wendy Wright and Kelly Vercoe-Simpson (award shared).
Club man of the year: “Spud” Mathers.
Ministock competitor of the year: Seth McKay.
Overall club competitor of the year: Brenden Gooch.
