Drivers to slay it at speedway

SPEED DATE: Sparks fly as Mason O’Dwyer (99G) introduces himself to Mike Herbert at last weekend’s Gisborne Speedway Club meeting. O’Dwyer spun Herbert but got caught as he flew down the outside of his clubmate. The meeting produced plenty of carnage and more is expected tomorrow night in the sidecars champ of champs and pairs racing in all other classes. Picture by Liam Clayton

THE sidecar champion of champions, pairs racing in all classes and a final hit-out for stockcar drivers ahead of the New Zealand teams’ championship highlight Gisborne Speedway Club’s Christmas meeting tomorrow night.

The Stubbs Contracting-sponsored meeting at Eastland Group Raceway will also give children a chance to ride their bicycles around the banked track.

Sidecar teams have registered from Auckland, Napier, Palmerston North and Gisborne for the individual championship and teams title that will also be decided.

“We expect at least a dozen crews tomorrow night,” said Gisborne Speedway Club president Grant MacGregor.

Among that line-up will be Auckland’s David Gannon and Daryl Pearce (4K), Peter Adams and Jason Hira (6A), and Kenny Hammill and Daniel Bradley (43A); Napier’s Troy Devery and Pete Steigenberger (17B), Stuart Priest and Albert Cookson (52B), and Regan Feck and his swinger (87B); Palmerston North’s Russell Stuart and Andy Parker (3NZ), Matt Stewart and Ange Pogson (63P), and Kieran Payne and Bryden Rose (5P).

The Gisborne team comprise Jason Rees and Callum Innes (22G), Aaron Rose and Bailee Ross (34G), and an as-yet-named team.

Pairs racingThe other classes will feature pairs racing.

“That always adds extra spice to the intensity of the competition,” MacGregor said.

“Stockcar drivers will know their partners but the other classes won’t.”

The club expects more than 24 stockcars tomorrow night.

“There are cars coming from Napier, Rotorua and Tauranga to mix it with our strong local line-up.

“If last weekend’s hits and damage to cars and drivers is anything to go by, that class should be a smash-fest!”

For drivers in the Gisborne Gladiators team heading to Waikaraka Park for the New Zealand stockcar teams’ championship on December 29-30, it is a final chance to fine-tune themselves and their cars.

The saloons will be back out on the track and no doubt brothers Daniel (76G) and Ethan Cook (77G) and Hamish Moore(16G) will pick up where they left off last weekend.

“Those three young guys really went for it last Saturday night and the fact they shared the chequered flag says it all,” MacGregor said.

“We will also have cars here from Mount Maunganui and Hawke’s Bay.”

The production saloons have again emerged as a feature class.

“You could throw a blanket over four or five drivers who are always on the pace,” said MacGregor. “Fraser Wright (44G) and Dave Gooch (7G) are never far away from the front, and Crystal Peach (10G) and Anton McKay (17G) keeps the whole class honest.”

The club expects about 20 youth ministocks from various North Island tracks.

“There’s been some great racing from the youngsters already this season.”

Gisborne young gun Angus Briant (81G) has being going well so far this season and should feature again.

“The club’s also bringing back the kids’ bike ride around the track tomorrow night,” MacGregor said. “Those young ones who turn up with a bicycle and helmet will get into the speedway for free.