Hughes takes over as president of Gisborne Speedway Club

Gisborne Speedway Club’s new president Sam Hughes and his committee aim to continue the development the club has achieved in recent years as it prepares for the start of another big season. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne Speedway Club has a new man at the helm in president Sam Hughes who is looking forward to keeping the club moving in one direction . . . forward.

The 36-year-old, believed to be the youngest president in the club’s history, replaces Clyde McGrory, who has stepped aside from the lead role for family reasons.

“It’s time for me to move aside and let the young blood come through,” McGrory said.

“I think with Sam, his team and the new committee, the club is going to be in really good hands.It’s got a huge future.

Hughes was elected unopposed at the club’s annual meeting last month.

McGrory has stayed on as vice-president, Cheryl Johnston is treasurer, secretary is Samantha Harding and committee members are Trevor Mullooly, Dean Moore, Jared Ingoe, Stuart Priest, Steve McCafferty and Aaron Lum.

“We want to keep the club moving forward,” Hughes said.

“The club’s done a lot of development in the past three-to-four years, and we just want to keep that momentum going.”

In the off-season, the club has put in a retaining wall at the southern end of the track and built up the area to provide extra seating. The old toilet blook at that end of the track has been demolished.

“It’s being replaced as we speak,” Hughes said.

“We’ve been busy with track maintenance, too, and that’s included the use of a GPS grader to realign the track surface.

“We’re trying to even it out so the surface is all one gradient right the way around.”

The club’s season starts on October 28 with the Superstock Points Dash and the Ashley Scott Memorial for stockcars.

Hughes will be out there among the action in his almost-brand-new Rees stockcar (77G).

“It’s only five meetings old and I’m really enjoying it.”

Hughes went straight into stockcars when he began speedway 16 years ago.

He’s been around the Gladiators stockcar team since they first got started.

The Jukes Carriers Fireworks Meeting is on November 4 and the club’s busy season rolls along through summer into April.

“We’ll have our first practice sessions at the track on October 7.”

Hughes owns and operates Sams Upholstery Services on the Cameron Road/Nelson Road corner.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing our fans the entertainment they enjoy this speedway season.”