It was tough, helter-skelter racing both nights, with some big hits, one of which led to a rollover.
Gisborne driver Sam Hughes (77G) went into the 30-car finals as top qualifier from Friday night. He was joined by local drivers Logan and Ethan Bruce (17G and 71G), Bryce Simpson (98G), who came through by repechage, and Josh Mulcahy (48G).
But places on the podium eluded them.
Mulcahy did best, with a seventh placing and a 15th, and a terrific drive in Heat 2 of the finals, where he finished in second place at the end of a hard, determined effort against 2NZ Peat.
Mulcahy finished a highly creditable fifth overall.
“The North Island championship meeting was a great one,” Hughes said.
“There was a massive effort put in by a lot of club members — and others — to make it what it was, and we were thrilled with the level of support from our fans.
“We tried very hard to get one of us on the podium. But unfortunately mechanical issues told the story for three of us who made the finals.”
The support programme both nights produced outstanding racing.
On Friday night the superstocks turned it on, with Peter Rees (10G) in fine form, scoring a couple of firsts and a second placing.
Steve McCafferty came out of retirement to drive Sam Hughes’s superstock that night (77G) and raced to his usual competitive standard.
He last raced at the Gisborne track in the early 2000s.
“It was unreal to see Steve race my car so well, after he was out of racing for such a long time,” Hughes said.
Bob Fraider (31G) was untouchable in the streetstocks, winning three from three starts.
In the production saloons, the front-running action was shared between the usual suspects.
Seth McKay (48G) won twice and had a second placing, while arch-rival Blake Dear chimed in with a win and two seconds.
On Saturday night the saloons produced their usual close racing. Daniel Cook (77G) was in sublime form, with three victories, two of them clearcut. His spectacular style as he charged, wheels up, into the corners was a sight to see.
Hamish Moore (85G) was the best of the chasing pack with three seconds. Sean Robertson (16G) and Bailey Curtis (221G) shared the minor placings.
The superstocks were on song again. Ethan and Peter Rees (127G and 10G) shared the top two placings across the three heats. Josh Prentice (5G) was closest to them.
The youth ministockers delivered some tight action, too, and the wins were shared by Ari Robertson (97G), Corbyn Wilson (44G) and Koby Gooch (59G).
The club’s next meeting will be on March 16, and it will include best-pairs racing for all classes except the superstocks.
Three further meetings will be held after that before the club’s season ends.
