Brenden Gooch makes some history

NOW 3NZ: Streetstock racer Brenden Gooch was consistent again at the New Zealand championships in Hawke's Bay at the weekend. He finished third to become the first driver in the history of the class to make the New Zealand podium three years in a row. Brenden (at right) with son Brodie, was joined on the podium by winner Mike King (58R) from Rotorua (centre), and runner-up and previous 1NZ Chris Shingleton. Picture supplied

GISBORNE streetstock racer Brenden Gooch relinquished his 2NZ status at the weekend but can still wear a New Zealand number on his car after he finished third in the New Zealand streetstock championships.

He became the first driver to make the national streetstock podium three years in a row, since the class started.

Gooch was 1NZ in 2018, 2NZ last year and is now 3NZ.

He qualified top in his group in Friday night's qualifying at the Meeanee track in Hawke's Bay and joined 26 cars in the three-race finals.

“It was chaos out there in the finals,” Brenden's father Neil said.

“We didn't have the car numbers there to give him much back-up in the finals.

“The cars from Rotorua and Hawke's Bay got stuck into him, and the other three Gisborne drivers who made the finals.”

Brenden's brothers Sean (9G) and Cody (6G) finished sixth and ninth respectively in the final.

“Brenden's rapt to have made podium again,” Neil said.

Brenden Gooch will race at the Gisborne Speedway Club this weekend as part of the support programme for the New Zealand sidecar championships.