V8s SET TO BURN UP TRACK

PACESETTERS: Gisborne saloon racers Ethan Cook (1NZ) and his brother Daniel (77G) will be leading contenders in Round 2 of the V8 saloon car series at the Eastland Group Raceway tomorrow night. Both have been driving superbly so far this season. Picture by Liam Clayton.

SPEEDWAY

Gisborne brothers Ethan and Daniel Cook will be serious contenders when the second meeting of the V8 saloon car series is held at their home track, Eastland Group Raceway, tomorrow night.

Up to 20 cars from throughout the North Island are contesting the five-meeting V8 series.

The first meeting, at Kihikihi last Saturday, was rained off.

“Daniel and I are both pretty confident of a strong performance, given it’s our home track,” Ethan Cook (1NZ) said.

“Both our cars have been going really well and we are both amped for it.”

He said it was good to have this new series created, with basically the top 20 drivers in the North Island taking part.

Ethan Cook will defend his New Zealand saloon car and saloon grand prix titles in February, and his brother Daniel (77G)will defend his North Island title.

“This series is a good confidence-builder for my brother and me ahead of the North Island, national and grand prix meetings in February,” Ethan Cook said.

“It’s a good chance to gauge how we are going against the rest of the island.”

The Cooks’ main rivals will be Trent Amrein (42M) and Jared Fletcher (8M) from Mount Maunganui, and Scott Lansdowne (74A) from Auckland.

“It’s going to be really competitive,” Daniel Cook said.

“There will be some hard-charging drivers out there.

“Ethan and I want to put on a good show for our sponsors and fans.”

Gisborne Speedway Club president Clyde McGrory said the V8 series offered something that had not been seen on the Gisborne track for some time.

“The calibre of drivers and cars coming to this meeting is exceptional. They can fly, so it’ll be very exciting.”

The saloons’ race format will include a top-six shootout after three heats.

“The shootout will decide grid positions for the 25-lap final and for those who have not seen one, a shootout is a real spectacle.”

Another big programme includes the popular Sam’s Upholstery Services Stockcar Classic.

“We are expecting 18 to 20 cars for that event, which will be decided over three metal-bending heats,” McGrory said.

“Leading the charge there would be our young drivers who competed so well for the Gisborne Gladiators in beating the Meeanee Maulers last weekend.”

The likes of James Clarke (66G), Jordan Fleetwood (16G), Ben Holt (64G), Mason O’Dwyer (99G) and Dana Kingsbeer (83G) can be expected to figure prominently.

Also on the starting grids tomorrow night will be the Ireland Motors sidecar best pairs.

“There we expect 15 or 16 combinations, and that includes Clive Ireland and Chris Symon (56G), along with Jason Rees and Callum Innes (22G) from our track, and Rob Miller and Red George (8P).”

The youth ministockers will contest the Eastland Oil and Simpson Automotive Ministock Best Pairs.

“We expect a field of around 20 cars from Rotorua and Hawke’s Bay,” McGrory said.

“At least 26 races means we start early again at 6pm, with the gates to the speedway open from 5pm.”

The support programme includes production saloons and streetstocks.