No podium this time for Gisborne superstocks

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne was well represented at the New Zealand superstock championships in Whanganui at the weekend but the tough racing took its toll.

Only three “G” cars made the finals and defending 2NZ Peter Rees was not one of them..

The two-night New Zealand championships drew a field of 120 cars, including 10 registered with Gisborne Speedway Club.

Gary Davis (31G), Ethan Rees (127G) and Jamie Hamilton (9G) qualified for the three-heat, 26-car finals series.

“Dad (Peter Rees) was unfortunately taken out in the last of the qualifying heats when he was looking to go top in his group to qualify for the finals,” Ethan Rees said.

“He was a bit disappointed.”

Rees senior finished runner-up in the New Zealand Superstock Grand Prix last month.

On Saturday night, Hamilton placed 10th in the championship and Ethan Rees 15th.

The Rees family almost made the podium, though, with Asher Rees (126K), who races for Kihikihi Speedway Club, finishing fourth.

“Gary, Jamie and I did what we could to help Asher out in the finals,” Ethan said.

“It was good to have 10 ‘G' cars in the event, and to get three into the final three heats.

“It was very tough racing.”

The championship was won by Hawke's Bay's Randal Tarrant (66B), ahead of Palmerston North drivers Adam Joblin (62P) and Scott Joblin (52P).