It was war from the start of the Gisborne-Rotorua semi.
Gisborne led early on but Rotorua sneaked back in front as the battle raged.
Despite the Gladiators’ best effort, Rotorua’s lead driver, with a trail of sparks coming from his damaged car, finished three car lengths ahead of a hard-charging Rees.
Auckland beat Hawke’s Bay in the other semi and the Alleycats went on to out-drive Rotorua in the final to take the Marshall Batteries teams’ title.
It also means they will host the popular championships next season.
Twenty minutes after their semi demise, the Gladiators were back out on the track in the run-off for third against Meeanee . . . and they smashed them off the park.
Gisborne cars were first, second and third, with Ethan Rees leading the way in his father’s 11G car as his was too badly damaged in the semifinal.
Team captain Peter Rees stood down from the run-off to allow newbie James Clarke into the action for the first time in the series, and he did exceptionally well.
“We were just one win away from the big dance but at the end of the day a podium finish was OK,” said team manager David Bacon.
“We won the title (two seasons ago) and successfully defended it (last season), so to finish third now is a good result.”
Peter Rees agreed.
“This was a brutal weekend. I feel bruised all over. We were still on the podium and it is good that the championship moves (to Auckland). It is good that other tracks get to host it.
“Gisborne Speedway Club, particularly president Grant MacGregor, have done a great job in staging the championship this season and last year.”
His teammates were similarly philosophical about third.
“It’s a lot better than last, that is for sure,” said Ethan Rees, who led the run-off for third from start to finish.
“I got great support from the boys, particularly James Kirk and Bruce Harding.
“James Clarke and Ben Holt contributed, too. It was a good team effort.”
Holt and Clarke were competing in their first nationals, with “Hitman Holt”, as he is now nicknamed, racing in every round.
“It was bloody good to be part of it. I got so much confidence from Peter, Ethan and Bruce. They were great,” Holt said.
“It was a pretty awesome feeling to be out there in our run-off. I did it for the boys and it was good we came out on top,” Clarke said.
James Kirk was a major contributor through the series.
“Third feels good but we got brought back to reality a bit this weekend,” he said. “You cannot win it all and we ran out of luck tonight. I was happy with my own performance. I feel I stepped up.”
Veteran Bruce Harding put it all on the line again and produced some of the biggest hits of the night.
“It was disappointing to lose the title but third is still a very good result,” he said. “The performances by young Holt and James Kirk were outstanding. They gave 150 percent for the team. James Clarke played his part as well. I cannot wait to race with them again.”
MacGregor said the championships produced top class teams racing.
“Everyone put everything on the line right from the first race.
“There were more than eight roll-overs and plenty of big hitting, so hopefully everyone went away happy.”
Gisborne will host the New Zealand individual stockcar championship next season, with 150 cars expected.
