Speedway - Steve Flynn
HAWKE'S Bay flyer Steve Flynn held off spirited challenges from Mount Maunganui drivers Chris Cowling and Peter Dickson to win the super saloon feature at Awapuni on Saturday night.
The 20 big grunters turned on a power-packed display across three heats, a pole shuffle and a 30-lap final in the Heavy Equipment Services-sponsored third round of the Burger King Pro Dirt Series at the Eastland Group Raceway.
Sam Waddell (18M) won the pole shuffle and opted for outside pole position for the final, with Cowling (2NZ) inside on the start line and Flynn (5B) and Steve Cowling (1NZ) right behind.
Former Gisborne racer Dan Corrin (124M) started at No.6.
After threatening for the lead at one stage, Corrin could not break through and finished fifth in what was a fast and furious final.
“None of us were giving an inch,” Corrin said.
“It was really close among the top six cars.”
He said the track was awesome.
“There were two lanes round the track, so it made for nice tight racing.”
Corrin was rapt with how his new car went.
“We made gains throughout the night.”
Gisborne Speedway Club president Clyde McGrory said the super saloons were “spectacular”.
Some drivers said it was the best track they had raced on in the North Island.
“That is very pleasing, considering the amount of work that goes into preparing it.”
McGrory said the final 30-lapper was nail-biting.
“It could have been anyone's race up until the 20-lap mark, when Steve Flynn got a lead on second place.”
Pre-race favourite Mick Quin (23P) in his new US-built car, surprisingly finished off the pace back in the pack in his first time out with the car on a banked track.
Gisborne saloon racer Ethan Cook ventured out with the super saloons in his saloon car for experience.
“I went off the back of the grid each time and it was really good fun. Fast, just so fast.”
In the final, Cook passed four of the super saloons.
“I intend to move into super saloons at some stage but have no immediate plans to do so.”
McGrory said the highlights of the rest of the programme included the Engine Rebuilders Eastland TQ Masters Series.
“There was some really close and exciting racing in the TQs and our own Dylan MacGregor (5G) was up there the whole time.
“Ben McArthur (8G) also raced well in his debut in the TQs, after his successes previously in streetstocks and youth ministocks.”
McGrory said Clive Ireland and Chris Symon (56G) produced another memorable night in the sidecars.
“They are certainly putting themselves into a good position to be hot contenders at the New Zealand sidecar championships here in mid-January.”
They finished with two wins and a second.
“The stockcars were really good again, too, providing plenty of action and some hard hitting,” McGrory said.
The Youth Ministock 100 drew a big field, with three heats of hard-charging action.
“They provided really clean, fast and tidy racing, so fast that one of the visiting cars broke the lap record for the class.
“All up, it was a very successful night.”
McGrgory said they were happy with the size of the crowd and wanted to thank people for turning up on a cold night.
“Without their support we couldn't do it.”