Giant step into new era of superstocks

HARD CHARGER: James Kirk (31G) has what it takes to be part of the future of the Gisborne Giants superstock car team, says team leader Peter Rees. Kirk is pictured getting stuck into Rotorua’s Aaron Powell during the New Zealand stockcar championships in Gisborne last season. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne young gun speedway racer James Kirk will step into a new superstock next season and become part of the Gisborne Giants team in the national competition.

He will be the first Gisborne-born-and-bred driver to make the new-era team.

The 25-year-old’s hard-charging style caught the eye of team leader Peter Rees when Kirk first joined the Gisborne Gladiators stockcar team four seasons ago.

In his first season, Kirk drove in the Gladiators team who won the New Zealand teams championship, then defended it in Gisborne a year later.

“I certainly enjoyed that winning feeling over those two years,” Kirk said.

He turned out again for the team last season when they lost the title.

“James has got the right attitude as a person and on the track he’s pretty committed,” said Rees, who has been with Gisborne Speedway Club for several seasons.

“He is part of the future of the Giants for me and we want to give him the opportunity to drive with the team.

“We’ll get stale as a team if we stick to the same guys. We have to blood new drivers to stay on top and ensure the future of the team.”

The Giants won the national championship in Auckland last season and were runners-up up in the New Zealand championship in Palmerston North.

“I’m pretty excited about it, and privileged to have been asked to join the team,” Kirk said.

“I am really looking forward to it.”

Rees says the Giants intend to race at opening meetings in Palmerston North, Wellington and Gisborne this season.

“James will be part of it, driving our spare car, which he is currently helping us build.”

The first meeting is in Palmerston North in early October.

“I have gone down to the Rees Race Cars workshop (in Foxton) a couple of times to help with the build and will go down again next weekend,” Kirk said.

The car is a Rees Spank chassis with a Nissan VK Hartley-built V8 under the bonnet.

“He’s got my son Ethan’s old motor and a brand new chassis. Ethan’s stepped up into my car,” Rees said.

“James has shown great commitment to the team so far and he will be a really good addition.”

Kirk intends to race standard stocks and superstocks as much as he can this summer.

“I want to continue to support the local standard stockcars class but I am really looking forward to being involved in the Giants as much as I can.”