Win all the way from Invercargill,Trek well worth the trouble

Speedway BK Super Saloons final night - 9w Mark Pitcher, 96a Lance Jennings

THE trek north paid off handsomely for South Island super saloon racer Campbell McManaway at the Eastland Group Raceway last night when he stormed out from pole to win Round 3 of the Burger King Pro Dirt Series.

The 54-year-old McManaway (492I) came from Invercargill to race against the best super saloon drivers in the North Island and was thrilled to win.

“I have finished fourth, fifth and seventh in the New Zealand super saloons; never made the podium in more than 20 years of trying,” he said.

“I will keep trying for that national podium, but to come here tonight and win this is an unreal feeling, and against the calibre of these drivers.”

As the 10-car shoot-out’s top qualifier, McManaway went from pole position in the 20-car, 30-lap final of the Heavy Equipment Services-supported event.

He took the lead and held off fierce challenges, particularly from former local driver Dan Corrin (124M).

Corrin was right behind him two thirds of the way through the final, when he spun out on Turn 4 and slipped back in the field.

“I raced high on the track all night and decided to go lower at that point,” Corrin said.

“Unfortunately I lost control for a moment.”

Corrin won the first heat of the night with a great drive and qualified fourth for the final.

“The car went great tonight and I felt the best I have ever felt on the Gisborne track.”

Corrin made his super saloon debut this year.

“It’s great. I love it so much because of the intensity and speed. You have to drive on the limit against these guys, because they do. It really makes you ‘up’ your game. It’s the most fun I have had in speedway.”

Speedway club president Grant MacGregor said he looked forward to more amazing racing in Round 4 of the series on the Gisborne track tonight.

“The shoot-out, car on car, to decide the positions for the final was incredible. They were just driving the wheels off in that pole shuffle.”

Former Gisborne driver Brent Emerson (7M) had a disappointing night. He was cleaned out — “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time” — but hoped to have his car fixed for tonight.

Former Gisborne Gladiator stockcar driver Asher Rees (126P) qualified in the top 10 for the final.

In the Ministock 100, Angus Briant (81G) was the best of the Gisborne drivers in a big field.

Dave Gooch (7G) pulled off two excellent wins in the production saloons and Fraser Wright (44G) jumped out from pole position to win Race 1.

In the stockcars, Willie McClune drove his new car (61G) to a win in their hard-fought feature race.

One car was put into pit wall, and Mason O’Dwyer (99G) was involved in a rollover on the back straight.

The Burger King Series continues at Eastland Group Raceway tonight, with more from the youth ministocks, stockcars and streetstocks. Gates open at 6pm and racing is from 7pm.