Giants aim to clip Eagles' wings

BACK ON TRACK: Superstock teams racing returns to the speedway track this weekend after a break of many years. The Gisborne Giants host the Christchurch Glen Eagles in a no holds barred, metal crunching battle. The Giants won the national title in Auckland in March (pictured) and laid their opposition in their wake. File picture

SUPERSTOCK teams racing returns to the Eastland Group Raceway on Saturday night and Gisborne Giants team captain Peter Rees predicts a battle royal against the Glen Eagles team from Christchurch.

This will be the Giants first outing this season fresh from their win in the national teams event at Waikaraka Speedway in Auckland last March.

The Giants team includes Peter and Ethan Rees (10G and 127G) from Palmerston North, and Gary Davis (31G) from Levin, who were in that winning team.

They will be joined by newcomers Nick Vallance (45G) from Te Puke and reserve Mark Cromarty (432G) and Whanganui, all five racing under the Gisborne colours.

Rees senior said the two new drivers will fit into the Giants well.

“They’ll be fine.”

The Rees raced in the South Island last weekend for the Nelson Tigers and they demolished the Palmerston North team.

“Nelson were short on drivers so Ethan and I went across and we whitewashed the Panthers,” Rees said.

The Glen Eagles lineup includes Harley Robb (991C), Tim Ross (144C), Lloyd Jennings (25C) and Kairyn O’Brian (52C).

“They are hungry to win and we will certainly not be taking them lightly,” Rees-senior said.

“They are a whole new team and three of them are really hard guys. We expect they’ll be tough opposition.”

Giants cars on trackRees said all five Giants cars were going well.

“We’re all really looking forward to being in Gisborne this Saturday.”

Gisborne Speedway Club president Grant MacGregor said it was special to have superstocks back on the track for the McCafferty Cartage-sponsored event.

“They will race team on team first and then the survivors will have three normal heats for individual placings.

“That teams race should be something else to watch.”

The support programme includes saloons, with visiting cars expected from Huntly.

“All our local boys will be out there and no doubt Daniel Cook (77G) will be eager to finish all four races.

“Daniel’s not had a lot of luck with finishing so far this season and hopefully that improves tomorrow night.

“Daniel Wallace (15G) has a new power plant in his car after he blew the last one up last meeting, and Hamish Moore (16G) will want to continue his improvement behind the wheel of a much more challenging vehicle.”

MacGregor said the production saloon class will see the resumption of the battle between Dave Gooch (7G), his daughter Crystal Peach (10G) and Fraser Wright (44G).

“We should have eight streetstocks on the track, with the Gooch boys to the fore again, and Mahana Stone may get out at the wheel of his HQ Holden. He last raced three years ago.”

The stock car guys have a final chance tomorrow night to press their cases for inclusion in the Gisborne Gladiators team to fight for the New Zealand stockcar teams title at Waikaraka Park at the end of the month.

“With Peter and Ethan (Rees) already certainties for that team there are three spots up to grabs,” MacGregor said.

“For me one of those spots is already sewn up, but we have four other drivers vying for the two remaining positions.

So expect an action packed night.”

Gates to the speedway open at 6pm tomorrow night. The first race goes at 7pm.

The Gisborne youth ministock brigade will compete in Hawke’s Bay this weekend.