That opened the gate for Mt Maunganui’s Boyd Westbury (71M) to shoot past and into the lead with a lap and a half to go.
Lister tried to close the gap but Westbury was clear.
Slower cars again held up Lister in the run to the chequered flagSlower cars again held up Lister in the run to the chequered flag and Auckland driver Rose Halfpenny pipped him on the line for second.
“Close but not close enough,” a philosophical Lister said afterwards.
“I struggled all meeting and did not get the grid draws I hoped for, but, hey, I battled on.
“I decided that I needed to find a bit more mongrel in the final and drove as hard as I could.
“As for catching the back markers when I did, well, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Lister said it was the closest he had got to a national title in a lengthy speedway career, which includes 20 years in the stockcar class.
“But to make a New Zealand podium for the first time feels great. I gave it a good go.”
Lister has raced six-shooters — wingless sprint cars powered by V6 engines — for four years and will consider over winter whether he will race again next season.
Gisborne’s Chris Mackie finished fifthGisborne’s Chris Mackie, runner-up in the six-shooter nationals last season, finished fifth.
“It was a bit disappointing,” Mackie said.
“Losing points in the heats cost me a better grid position. But I hope we made the racing look good.”
Gisborne Speedway Club president Grant MacGregor said the six-shooters were awesome.
“The racing was outstanding and Reece was very unlucky not to have hung on to the top spot.”
In the Robert Harris Streetstock Champion of Champions, 1NZ Brenden Gooch emerged victorious ahead of brother Cody (6G).
“It feels good,” Brenden said.
“It’s been a long season and I’m happy to get another title under my belt. Dave Hampton made us all work that much harder for it. Well done to him.”
Rob Miller and Red George (8G) had three wins from three races to take out the Law-Cartmell Memorial Trophy for sidecars.
The Professional Fleet Maintenance Production Saloon Champion of Champions title was taken out in emphatic style. Dave Gooch (7G) drove superbly to win all three heats and the title. It was the first time in 20 years he had won all three heats in a night.
A 21-strong stockcar brigade made a battle royal out of the three heats to decide the Ashley Scott Memorial Trophy.
James Kirk (31G) was consistent for pace and his no-nonsense approach paid off big time as he got to put his name on the prized trophy.
Driver of the night in the vintage stockcars was Marty McFadyen behind the wheel of the “Lily the Pink” 0G car.
Saloon racer Dan Cook (77G) had two wins, while the other win in that class went to Hamish Moore (16G).
Angus Briant (81G) was again the pick of the youth ministock competitors.
“It was an excellent two-night meeting and now we have one to go — April 7,” MacGregor said.
Results — Streetstock champion of champions: Brenden Gooch (1NZ) 1, Cody Gooch (6G) 2, Ben Yeoman (16B) 3.
Law-Cartmell Memorial sidecars: Rob Miller/Red George (8G) 1, Callum Innes/Jason Rees (22G) 2, Regan Feck/Martijn Domper (87B) 3.
Production saloon car champion of champions: Dave Gooch (7G) 1, Anton McKay (17G) 2, Jason Pointon (71V) and Lloyd Stuart (34G) equal 3.
Ashley Scott Memorial stockcar trophy: James Kirk (31G) 1, Willie McClune (61G) 2, Brett Loveridge (16B) 3.
Stirrer (stockcars class) of the night: James Clarke (29G).
NZ six-shooter champs: Boyd Westbury (71M) 1, Rose Halfpenny (47A) 2, Reece Lister (8G) 3.
