Giants’ season off to a flying start

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

SPEEDWAY

THE Gisborne Giants superstock team got their season off to a flying start last weekend when they won the international teams challenge in Huntly.

They took on the Kihikihi Kings in the final and dominated, as they did in all their lead-up matches across the challenge competition.

The Giants defeated the Waikato Wanderers from Huntly and the Rotorua Rebels on their way to the final.

Peter Rees (10G), Ethan Rees (127G), Jamie Hamilton (9G), Wayne Hemi from Palmerston North (591P) and Whanganui’s Josh Prentice (15W) were too strong and too organised for the teams they met.

“We dominated all our races really, so it was a very pleasing start to the season for us,” Peter Rees said.

Rees crossed the finish line first in the final against the Kings, and was backed up by his son Ethan, who finished not far behind him in second place.

Jamie Hamilton finished fourth to finish off the Giants’ strong performance.

“We’re really happy with how the team started the season,” Rees said.

“The international teams challenge is a new event but I’m sure it’s going to become a big event.”

The Auckland All Stars finished third and the Rotorua Rebels were fourth.

Gary Davis and Tim Ross were unavailable for the Giants.

The team’s next meeting will be in Palmerston North in three weeks.

“We’ll be up against the Whanganui Warriors and the Palmerston North Mustangs, so it’ll be good teams racing,” Rees said.

“We’re really looking forward to it.”