Gisborne Gladiators win Stockcar Teams Invasion in Palmerston North

Gisborne Gladiators got their 2025-2926 campaign off to a winning start on Saturday when they won the Stockcar Teams Invasion in Palmerston North. The team are (from left) manager Jamie Simpson, Will Kaa, Bryce Simpson, Brad McGee, Hayden Barker and brothers Ethan and Asher Rees.

The Gisborne Gladiators followed hard on the successful heels of their clubmate Giants crew in winning the Stockcar Teams Invasion in Palmerston North at the weekend.

The Gisborne Giants won their first hit-out of the superstock team racing season two weeks ago at the same venue.

Saturday night was the turn of the Gladiators, comprising brothers Ethan (127G) and Asher Rees (126G), Brad McGee (96G), Will Kaa (164G), Bryce Simpson (98G) and Hayden Barker (84G).

There were two qualifying heats for each of the six teams and the Gladiators won both their rounds comprehensively.

In a carnage-filled first round, the Gladiators defeated the Palmerston North Pumas. McGee was first across the line to win it for them.

In round two, they faced the Waikato Raiders and it was Ethan Rees who took line honours to put them through to the final against the second of the home-track teams, the Palmerston North Colts.

Ethan Rees said another comprehensive win put the Gladiators on top of the podium.

“We finished one, two, three and five with Brad again the first driver across the line,” he said. “It was certainly a good stepping stone towards the New Zealand stockcars team championship in Rotorua in the new year.

“We have a good team. We’re working well together on and off the track. It’s a terrific team environment.

“Big thanks to our sponsors, especially Geuze Contracting and Gisborne Speedway Club.”

Gisborne club president Sam Hughes said it was a fantastic start to the summer for the Gladiators.

“They won by more than 180 points.”

Other teams to compete came from Whanganui, Wellington and Waikato.

Hughes himself enjoyed an excellent weekend of racing out of town.

He picked up third place in the 48-strong field at the North Island Superstock Championship held at Kihikihi.

“I’m thrilled with the result, and I was only two points off winning it, which was even more pleasing,” Hughes said. “It’s definitely the highlight of my superstock driving career to date.”

After negotiating his qualifying heats on Friday to make the 26-car championship field for Saturday night’s finals, Hughes (in his 77G machine) placed third in race one from grid three; fifth in race two from grid 16; and sixth in race three from grid 22.

It gave him a total of 67 points – two points behind winner Scott Tennant (808C) and a point back from reigning New Zealand champion Todd Hemmingway.