Tough night for Gisborne teams at Western Springs

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

GISBORNE sidecar teams Rob Miller with Hamish White and Deane Miller with Pete Steigenberger “survived” a night of carnage at the opening meeting at the Western Springs speedway last weekend.

The two Gisborne combinations had what Rob Miller described as a “disappointing night”. In Race 1 the Millers raced together and Deane Miller won it while his son spun out.

“In Dad’s second race he pulled a massive wheelstand on the start line,” Rob Miller said.

“Pete fell off and got run over, injuring his collarbone. They were relegated out with a DNS (did not start). In my second race we got tangled up with another combination and there was a big pile-up.

“The race was restarted and there was another big pile-up in the first corner. Hamish and I got up to third before the race was called off after yet another accident.”

Both Gisborne combinations made it out for the feature with Deane off the front grid and Rob off the back.

“Dad managed to finish sixth and I had to pull out with mechanical issues. So, all in all, it was not a good night for us. It was tough racing and there was so much carnage.”

Both combinations will return for the second round of the Western Springs sidecar series on January 1.

“We are hoping for a better night then.”