Future of speedway racing to go hard in Gisborne tomorrow

Rising talents racing in the Ministock 100 are certain to put on another great show on Saturday night at Awapuni Speedway, as they have done in previous seasons. Photo / Liam Clayton

The future of the sport takes to the MTF Awapuni Speedway banked track on Saturday night in the Repco Ministock 100.

More than 60 youngsters aged 12 to 17 will be in action across junior and senior divisions.

Entries have come from across the North Island.

The junior field for drivers under 14 years contains some excellent up-and-coming local talent, notably Noah Starr (12G), who made the podium in the recent best pairs.

Noah Starr (12G) was profiled on the Awapuni Speedway Facebook page this week and he looks set for a strong showing in the Ministock 100.

The 13-year-old said what he loved most about speedway was “meeting new people and making new friends”.

Starr and Josh Coates (7G) are profiled on the Awapuni Speedway Facebook page this week.

“What I love about speedway is the incredible mix of adrenaline, skill and teamwork,” Coates said.

“There’s nothing quite like the sound of the engines, the smell of the track and the excitement that builds before each race.”

Josh Coates (7G) will be another of the young guns looking to make a mark on Saturday night. Photo / Graham Hughes-Sportsweb Photography

Aucklander Korbin Seals, in his 17A machine, will be a visitor to look out for in the younger ranks.

In the senior division, Brodie Gooch (10G) and Brad O’Connell-Bacon (11G) took top spot in the best pairs in the club’s opening meeting of the season, and look set for a strong night on Saturday, along with Campbell Hulme-Moir (71G).

Vinzent MacGregor (5B) should be another driver on the pace.

The visiting line-up contains some other outstanding young drivers across both age divisions.

“The seniors will race in two groups, and the juniors in one,” Gisborne Speedway Club president Sam Hughes said.

“We’re thrilled with the entry for this. It’s absolutely fantastic. The youngsters are the future of our sport, and the future looks very bright indeed.”

Each group will have three heats, and there will be a final for both age divisions.

Saturday’s support programme will feature stockcars and streetstocks.

“We will also have the classic stockcars back again,” Hughes said.

“The small stockcar field will provide plenty of excitement, likewise the streetstocks.

“It is proving difficult to fill out certain classes due to the tough economic times,” he said. “Other tracks around the country are having the same issues. But we will do our best to stage a good meeting.”

The gates to the speedway open at 5pm and racing starts at 6pm.