Gisborne Speedway Club racer Jamie Hamilton wins World 240s title

The prestigious World 240s Superstock title was won in Rotorua on Saturday night by Gisborne Speedway Club racer Jamie Hamilton in 9G. He drove his way to No.1 in a 30-car final after qualifying races whittled down a massive field of 140 cars. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne Speedway Club superstock racer Jamie Hamilton took out the prestigious World 240s Superstock Championship at the Paradise Valley Raceway in his car 9G in Rotorua on Saturday night.

The Gisborne club was well represented in the 140-car field, with Peter and Ethan Rees (10G and 127G respectively), Josh Prentice (5G), Regan Penn (235G), Tim Ross (44G), Tyler James (89G), Tom Cooper (85G), Brodie James (87G) and eventual champion Hamilton competing.

The runners-up both came from Whanganui.

“The racing was unreal,” Gisborne Speedway Club president Sam Hughes said.

Each driver had two qualifying races, and it was all run on Saturday because Friday night’s meeting was rained off.

A 30-car final comprising three heats decided the championship.

Hamilton was joined by Peter and Ethan Rees, Prentice and Penn in that final.

“Jamie had the fastest car on the track, I reckon, and he drove very well in the final series of heats,” Hughes said.

“The other Gizzy guys had a fair bit of bad luck.”

The World 240s have tended to be bigger than the New Zealand superstock championships.

“So it’s a great win for Jamie and our club congratulates him,” Hughes said.

“He did us proud.”