Speedway Fireworks
A massive crowd, outstanding racing and a fireworks show that will long live in the memory were highlights of a wonderful evening's entertainment at the Gisborne Speedway Club track on Saturday night.
Eastland Group Raceway drew over 4000 people for the Jukes Carriers-sponsored fireworks meeting.
“What a huge night,” club president Clyde McGrory said. “We were rapt, and thanks to the public for supporting us.
“Public Dreams from Hawke's Bay did us proud again with a magnificent fireworks display and thanks to Trevor Jukes for making it happen.”
Numerous standout performances featured on the race programme but the sheer skill, pace and professionalism of the Rees family in the second round of the MTF Finance Superstocks Points Dash stood out.
“The superstocks were outstanding and put on some really good racing,” McGrory said.
Asher Rees stamped his class all over the division, demonstrating emphatically just how much he deserves to have 1NZ on his car.
The Kihikihi-contracted driver won two of the three races and was in the hunt for a third win until he was turned on pit corner.
Brother Ethan (127G) picked up the other win and finished second in his other two races in a slick all-round performance.
Peter Rees (10G) complemented his sons points tally with a second placing and was always there or thereabouts.
“All three of our cars out there tonight are brand new and it was pleasing to set the pace,” he said.
“All the Gisborne cars went well. They've got a bit of pace . . . James Clarke (29G) and Scott Penn (7G) are going really well,” Rees said.
“The track was beautiful.”
Clarke leads the Points Dash on 163, followed by Sam Hughes (77G) 159 and Penn 125.
The stockcar action was intense, too, and Josh Prentice (11G) was on point twice with well-driven wins.
Ben McArthur (228G) had a win, and Bryce Simpson (98G) was never far from the front-running action in his couple of second placings.
Trevor McArthur (128G) kept the younger drivers honest with three thirds.
Local saloon car drivers added to the developing mana of that class with another close-fought, dynamic racing display in which the wins were again shared around.
Evan Mooney (42G) won one of the races with a powerful drive, and some round-the-outside passing action from Hamish Moore (85G) earned him a chequered flag as well.
Sean Robertson (16G) chimed in with the third win.
Bailey Curtis (221G) had a couple of seconds.
“Those young guys keep putting on a good show, and display amazing racing skills,” McGrory said.
Cody Gooch (6G) took out two of the streetstock races as his duel with Brent Durston (77G) resumed.
Durston grabbed the third win.
Matthew Ireland (96G) raced well in collecting two thirds in that class.
In a small field of sidecars, Toby Lardelli and Kerwin Arnaboldi won two races and Callum Innes and Russell Stuart, fresh from qualifying for the Oceania championships in the New Year, won the feature race.
The production saloon class turned it on, particularly Blake Dear (37G), who was the dominant driver with two wins and a second.
Seth McKay recorded a win, a second and a fourth.
Young Corbyn Wilson (44G) showed signs of a bright future in the sport with 1-2-3 results across the youth ministocks heats.
Koby Gooch (59G) kept his proud family name to the fore with a win.
The “Legends” superstocks race after the fireworks saw a good number of former New Zealand champions in action in borrowed cars — among them the club president.
“It was unbelievable,” McGrory said. “It's been 30 years since I sat in a superstock and I still cannot wipe the smile off my face.
“To be granted that opportunity by Rees Race Cars was awesome, given those cars are valued at around the 200k mark.
“It again proves just how much the Rees family are behind our club, which is so much appreciated.”
The “Legends” raced on the clock and Steve McCafferty produced the fastest lap time of 17 seconds.
The club's next meeting is on November 19 and will feature the Ashley Scott Memorial for stockcars.