Who’s who of ministock talent

BIG FIELD: More than 60 youth ministockers will do battle at the Eastland Group Raceway tomorrow night in the Heavy Equipment Services Eastland Ministock 100. Picture by Liam Clayton

More than 60 young drivers will be in the starter’s hands tomorrow night in the Heavy Equipment Services Eastland Ministocks 100. Dirt bike racers from Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club will also hit the banked track as part of the support classes.

The youth ministock spectacular has attracted entries from all over the North Island.

“They are coming from Rotorua, Hawke’s Bay, Tauranga, Wellington, Huntly, Auckland and Wanganui,” said Gisborne Speedway Club president Grant MacGregor.

“The field includes a who’s who of youth ministock racing in the country and we expect to see a night of great racing with plenty of action. The young ones do not muck around.”

The out-of-town title challenge will be spearheaded by Rotorua’s Dylan Tower (96R), who has raced well here already this season.

“The Gisborne contingent will be led again by Hamish Moore (16G) and Angus Briant (81G), both of whom have been going exceptionally well this season,” said MacGregor. “Two dark horses from Gisborne could be Bailey Curtis (21G) and Ollie Simpson (77G), who have also been getting amongst it.”

The field will comprise a junior (blue) group and two senior (red and yellow) groups.

“They will race over four heats to determine the top points-scorers and grid positions for the two finals,” MacGregor said. “Thirteen from each of the senior groups will go through to the senior final.”

Dirt track bikers will run in three classes — senior open, junior-all-in and mini 50-up-to-trails.

“The senior open will see some gear-crunching action as old foes Daniel Fogarty (on a Yamaha YZF450) and Graham Wedlake (Honda CRF450) go head to head,” said Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club spokesman Rockie Ellmers. “Fogarty may be the man on the beach but the speedway oval is Wedlake’s domain.”

Murray Swann (Husqvarna 150) and Bryce Norman (Suzuki RM250) will be going all out to get a two-stroke on the podium.

“The junior all-in riders will rip through the gears as they push their smaller, high-revving engines round the track.

“Troy Andrews (Yamaha YZ125) will be laying down some rubber to be top dog but with female duo Sophie Peach (KTM125) and Fritha Rau (Husqvarna TC125) planning to get to the chequered flag first, he will have his work cut out,” Ellmers said.

“The mini 50-up-to-trails riders will be another group trying to keep their distance from the concrete wall and having a lot of fun as they race around the track for the first time. Claire Ellmers (Honda CRF75) will be going hard out to put a girl on the podium but Angus Thomas (KTM50) will race on the red line to try to put a stop to that.”

The support programme tomorrow night will include the entertaining production saloon cars.

“It is anyone’s guess who will carry the chequered flags in that class.” MacGregor said.

The 26-race programme starts at 6pm, with gates open from 5pm.