Demolition man

ACTION LIKE THIS: Big hits like it will be the order of the night Saturday when the demolition derby hits the track. Picture by Liam Clayton

EASTLAND championship titles go on the line tomorrow night in all classes at Gisborne Speedway Club’s last meeting for the year but the highlight could well be Neil Gooch competing in his 100th demolition derby.

The Mangapapa Garage Novus Auto Glass Demolition Derby had attracted 20 drivers by yesterday and more were expected.

“We will take entries up till midday tomorrow and we’re hoping to get a few more cars,” said Gisborne Speedway Club president Grant MacGregor.

“It’s always a no-holds-barred contest and thoroughly entertaining. To the last car moving go the spoils.”

For Gooch it will be a momentous milestone.

“I started doing demo derbies back in 1971 and have raced not just on the Gisborne track, but in Auckland as well,” he told The Herald.

“We’ve had all sorts of derbies over the years. Some seasons we had several of them, like caravan demolitions and ramp races, so it’s all added up over the years.”

The veteran driver has been the “last man standing” on 24 occasions over the years.

“Doing well comes down to the preparation of the car but the big factor is having a lot of luck. It’s such an adrenaline buzz doing them. That’s why at the age of 59 I’m still a starter and I’m excited to be on the eve of my 100th.”

Gooch will be driving a suitably sign-written Honda Accord station wagon.

“It’s going to be a bit of a family affair for us tomorrow night, with my boys in there and my nephew Shanan (Gooch).

A Gooch team“Then there are my friends as well, so it’s kind of a Gooch team.”

Twelve cars have so far been painted in the same livery for the derby.

With Eastland championship titles on the line in other classes, it promises to be an excellent meeting.

“There are drivers standing out in every class, so it’s going to be tough racing,” MacGregor said.

Plenty of questions will be answered.

Who will have the edge in the sidecars? Rob Miller and swinger Hamish White (8G) or Clive Ireland and Kerwin Arnaboldi (56G)?

Production saloons? Dave Gooch (10G), Fraser Wright (44G), Dylan Quinn (7G) or Lloyd Stuart (34G)?

Stockcars? Jason Jones (81G), James Kirk (31G), Jason Lovell (67G) or Brett Lloyd (92G)?

Saloons? Dan Corrin (24M), Ethan Cook (76G) or Dave Moorcroft (8G)?

Six-shooters? Reece Lister (8G), Chris Mackie (21G) or Gary Hancox (7G)?

Streetstocks? David “Duck” Hampton (88G), Travis Gooch (7G), Ben McArthur (8G) or Aaron Brown (5G)?

Youth ministocks? Angus Briant (81G), Bailey Curtis (21G), Thomas Rumble (4G) or one of the other contenders?

Samantha Durston (177G) will be back in ministock action after her nasty rollover last Saturday night.

“That’s a testament to her keenness and courage,” MacGregor said.

A special feature will be an appearance by Gisborne tetraplegic Joel Tibble, who will be driven around the track in Daniel O’Neill’s streetstock (14G) — a long-time dream for the 20-year-old car enthusiast.

Gates open at 6pm and racing starts at 7pm. The demo derby cars will be paraded around the track at 6.40pm.