Gisborne Giants ready for battle at NZ superstock team champs

Peter Rees has been at the heart of the resurgence of the Gisborne Giants superstock team over the past 10 years. This weekend he will watch from the pits as the team battle for glory at the New Zealand teams' championships in Palmerston North. Photo / Rees Race Cars

The Gisborne Giants superstock team aims to mark 10 years since its reformation with a podium result at this weekend’s New Zealand teams’ championships.

And the red-hot team can certainly do it at the Robertson Prestige Speedway in Palmerston North.

The team is 2NZ Ethan Rees, brother and three-time national champion Asher (in his 126G machine), Josh Prentice (5G), Tim Ross (144G), Regan Penn (235G) and Brad McGee (96G).

Scotty Ross will manage the team and Peter Rees - Ethan and Asher’s father - will be helping out from the pits.

“I decided it was time to step aside from racing in the team and let the younger guys have a go,” Rees senior said. “We are rich with young blood coming through.”

Last season, the Giants finished fifth in the 12-team competition, which this season has once again drawn teams from throughout the country and will also feature the Great Britain Lions team.

The meeting is being promoted on the Robertson Prestige International Speedway as “the biggest show on dirt”.

“The biggest, best, and most spectacular weekend of racing is ready to roar into life.”

Following scrutineering in The Square in Palmerston North on Saturday afternoon, the action gets under way with qualifying that night.

The Gisborne Giants will do battle with arch-rival Palmerston North Panthers first, followed by the Wellington Wildcats in Round 2.

“Speed and youth should be on our side,” Ethan Rees said.

“There’s a good, positive vibe in the group and that will help us.

“In previous seasons, everyone has always had the best intentions since the Giants were reformed,” Rees said. “But this year everyone is really keen, determined to get on that podium.

“All the cars are about the same speed-wise, so that will be something we will use to our advantage across the championships.”

The team members assembled in Palmerston North on Wednesday. The Giants’ livery was to be attached to the cars on Friday.

Gisborne Speedway Club president Sam Hughes said the club was confident of success from this new-look team.

“They’re definitely a top-of-the-line group in terms of machinery and talent. Like everything, though, in speedway, you need bit of luck to go with it.

“The club is really proud of the team and we wish them all the very best in action this weekend.”

The superstock teams’ championship was first held in 1981 and Palmerston North were the inaugural winners.

Gisborne Giants joined the action in 2016 and finished third in the final. They were second in 2018 and 2020, and third in 2021 and 2023.

Canterbury Glen Eagles have won the title for the past three years.

The event can be viewed live on Videohub at a cost.

Meanwhile, Gisborne Speedway Club’s next meeting features the Phil Walsh Memorial and Bruce Ellmers Memorial for saloon cars on Saturday, February 14.

“We hope for a good line-up of cars,” Hughes said.

The club also confirmed it would be running a best pairs event for ministocks over the two nights of its superstock doubleheader at the end of the month.

“A massive thank you to Mangapapa Garage for their continued support of our youth ministocks. Spots are limited, so get in quick.”