Daniel Cook is the North Island’s third top speedway saloon car racer

Third best: Daniel Cook raced his way to finish as the third best speedway saloon car racer at the North Island championships in Wellington. File picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne speedway saloon car racer Daniel Cook (77G) finished third in the North Island saloon championships in Wellington.

He was first-equal with two other drivers after the two qualifying heats and started from near the front of the grid in the 20-lap final.

“I was rapt to be able to make the podium again,” said Cook, who won the title last season.

“It was a full-on night on a really tough track. But it was nice hard and fast racing.” His brother Ethan (1NZ) made the final, but his car was damaged in a race crash and he could not finish. Both brothers have been preparing for the New Zealand championships in Huntly this weekend.