“We finally won out against the weather with this brilliant meeting,” said club secretary Aaron Lum.
“Two rainouts and a cyclone couldn’t stop the Rees Racecars Superstock Challenge from going ahead and what a show it provided.
“The full field of superstocks produced racing not unlike a national title, and the action was there to back it up.”
The full-on racing was a spectacle as the roar of the superstocks’ engines tore at the air.
“It was breathtaking and superb,” one fan said.
Peter Rees said it was “unbelievable” to have such a big, high-quality field, which included his other son, back-to-back 1NZ Asher.
“Its almost a dream come true tonight,” Rees senior said.
“We want to bring big superstock championships to this beautiful track.
“Now we’ve pulled this event off, Speedway New Zealand have got to look seriously at the Gisborne track for future superstock championships.”
Asher Rees, who races for the Kihikihi track, was rapt to be back on the Gisborne track.
“I love it here; everyone’s so welcoming.
“It was great racing tonight. That track is very, very fast.”
The Roseland Tavern Stockcar Classic and Professional Fleet Maintenance Production Saloon Best Pairs were strong features of the programme, with some top racing.
“The productions put on a show of their own that ensured they were no support act,” Lum said.
First place went to Seth McKay (48G) and Blake Dear (37G), with Kris Langford (6G) and Brendan Land (53G) the runners-up, and Simeon Whitley (25G) and James Cunningham (27R) third.
The Roseland Tavern Stockcar Classic drew a good-sized field and Bryce Simpson (98G) emerged the winner.
Chris Shingleton (9K) finished second and Shaun Kingi (707G) third.
Saloon car racer Ethan Cook (76G) produced an electrifying performance, a display of full-noise power and aggressive control, particularly in the corners.
Cook won all three races in that class.
“It was a fantastic display of driving from him,” Lum said.
“Corbyn Wilson (44G) took out the ToolShed Youth Ministock Feature.
“Jared Ingoe took his first feature race win in the streetstock class to claim the race sponsored by Rangatira Motors.
“We really need to thank everyone who turned up to the meeting, from the locals, many of whom worked furiously in the week between this meeting and the last to ensure their cars were ready, to the travellers, who came from as far away as Palmerston North and even Blenheim to put on a show for us.
“And a huge thank-you has to go out to Peter Rees and Rees Racecars for putting up the grand prize for the meeting, that brand new Rees chassis — the only prize of its kind.”
Weather and track conditions were perfect on Saturday night and the sunset was sublime.
The club’s final meeting of the season will be on April 14 and 15, and will include the McCafferty Metal Cartage Superstock Best Pairs and the McCafferty Metal Cartage Superstock Champion of Champions.
