North Island streetstock glory on the line at Gisborne speedway

Cody Gooch (6G) has been a top contender in the streetstock class for years and goes into the North Island championship on his home Awapuni Speedway track as the reigning NZ Grand Prix champion. Photo / Gisborne Herald

The North Island Streetstock Championship has drawn a field of 26 cars for two nights of action at MTF Awapuni Speedway this weekend and Gisborne drivers will be in the running.

The Tyre General North Island Streetstock Championship will be run over six races – three on Friday night and three on Saturday night.

“The competitor who has the most points after the six races will be crowned the champion,” Gisborne Speedway Club president Sam Hughes said.

“The cars we’re expecting are all top-of-the-line. While it’s a smaller field than we’d hoped for, it will be not be short on action. It will be a tough contest for the championship.”

A field of 26 drivers will face off in the North Island Streetstock Championship over Friday and Saturday night at Awapuni Speedway. Photo / Gisborne Herald

The line-up includes 6G Cody Gooch, who won the NZ grand prix streetstock crown last season, 11A Corry Te Rito, 13R Steve Howard, 14G Daniel O’Neill, 16B Alistair Howatson, 17P Kennedy Browne, 51G Keelyn Smith, 59R Alan King, 64B Dontage Irfan, 78G Joel Whitley, 118D Allan Finch, who won the streetstock national title in 2023-24 season, 177B Sammy Durston, 352B Taamai Graham, 858R Shane Bracken, 983G Duncan Pierce and 18G Jared Ingoe.

Gooch and Ingoe have been in good form.

The support programme both nights includes minisprint action in the form of the Oval Superstars Tour and the East Coast Minisprint Championship.

“Thanks to Zodiac Signs, Top Cat Contracting and McCafferty Metal Cartage, who have supported the minisprints coming to town,” Hughes said.

“We are expecting a dozen cars here for the two nights.”

The East Coast title goes on the line for them on Friday night, and the Oval Superstars Tour continues on Saturday.

Round 1 of the Oval series last weekend in Palmerston North featured 2NZ Glen McCutcheon, 3NZ Nathan Jefferies, 5S Regan Ogle, 7S Bronson Pierce, 14P Jayden Clark, 18P Daniel Nickel, 26P Aaron Sowry, 28P Bryce Sowry, 38S Donald Kuriger, 55V Daniel Wigglesworth, 63P Seth Salton, 82S Cameron Hurley, 85S Erin Uhlenberg, 92V Roger Smith, 95S Duane Hickman and 97P Jordan McLeod.

The other support classes include classic stockcars (14 entries), TQs (six), youth ministocks (26) and production Saloons (six).

On Saturday, the MacIndoe Logging Saloon Car Championship will be decided and 7G Rodney MacIndoe will be right among it.

He recently took out the saloon car series held in the South Island.

“We anticipate a field of around eight, which will be a good-sized field for some tough racing,” Hughes said.

The Sam’s Upholstery & Gisborne Fluid and Machinery Ashley Scott Memorial event for stockcars will be held on Saturday night as well.

“We only have 13 cars in the line-up so far, but they race hard for that coveted trophy.”

Gates to the speedway open at 5pm both nights and racing is from 6pm.

The memory of long-time Gisborne speedway driver Doug Walsh, who died last weekend, will be strong over the two days. Walsh was farewelled at Evans Funeral Services on Thursday.

* The 2025/26 Superstock teams season kicks off this weekend at Robertson Prestige International Speedway in Palmerston North and the Gisborne Giants will be in action. Lining up to do battle in the “G” cars will be Asher Rees, Ethan Rees, Sean Gooch, Josh Prentice, Regan Penn and Brad McGee.