Panthers main obstacle: Jude

Steve Jude is eyeing the "ultimate" belated birthday present in Palmerston North this weekend. Photo / Paul Taylor

It's a huge call to make but because it has come from Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes Superstock team captain Steve Jude take note.

"If we beat the Palmerston North Panthers in our first race we will take out the whole thing," Jude said.

The 'thing' Jude was referring to was this weekend's 12-team Enzed Superstock Teams Champs in Palmerston North, the most prestigious event on the country's speedway calendar which often attracts more than 21,000 fans both nights. Jude, who has competed for 12 of his 18 years of racing in the class, has never been one for bold statements.

While the Hastings mechanic is the type to let his actions do the talking, one can appreciate his enthusiasm ahead of this weekend's champs which have again attracted the Great Britain Lions.

"This isn't the most experienced Hawkeyes team I've been away with but it's definitely the most exciting and the best prepared," Jude explained.

The Hawkeyes have had four races in their buildup. They had one loss to the Nelson Tigers without the services of Jude, a win and a close loss against the Wellington Wildcats and a win against the Bay Park Busters.

The Panthers are the defending champions and regular winners of the title. However, Jude believed Peter Bengston and Jack Miers were their only fast drivers this season.

"If our young blokes can hit them hard and take them out of the equation early we've got a good chance against them.

"If we could beat them our crowd support would be massive. There is always plenty of Hawkeyes supporters in Palmy and the way they lift us is unbelievable," Jude said.

After the Panthers the Hawkeyes are scheduled to take on the Canterbury Glen Eagles on Saturday night. Last year, the Hawkeyes beat Canterbury 160-35 and Jude reckoned the Glen Eagles will not be as strong this weekend.

Points accumulated on Saturday night determine the draw for Sunday night's post-section races.

"We've been working well as a team and the way we helped Jason [Magpies rugby prop Long] finish second at the New Zealand championships in Stratford was a good example," former jet boat racer Jude said.

There have been some huge hits in Palmy over the years and while Jude has not been targeted as much as some he has still had his share.

"Kyle Heibner of Wanganui and Mount Maunganui's Kerry Remnant have given me my hardest. Kerry is one of my best mates too," he recalled.

"To captain the first Hawke's Bay Hawkyes team to win the Palmy teams title would be the ultimate. There is nothing better apart from winning the New Zealand championship as an individual," Jude said.

In Jude's case, collecting the most sought after piece of speedway silverware in the country on Sunday night would be the ideal belated birthday gift. The oldest member of the Hawkeyes turned 45 yesterday.

Jude heaped kudos on Hawkeyes manager James Buckrell.

"James has left no stone unturned in this campaign. Tomorrow night [tonight] we're having a sponsors night out at the track and fans can came and watch us do some hot laps ... we want to thank everyone who has got behind us and encourage them to come to Palmy. Like I said huge crowd support can make a big difference."

Former Hawkeye Regan O'Brien and Hawke's Bay-based Manawatu-contracted driver Aaron Iremonger will be racing for the Busters this weekend.

The full Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes team is: Steve Jude (captain), Jason Long, Quinn Ryan, Thomas Stanaway, Mike McLachlan, Quintin Butcher (Sixth driver).

Other teams in the event: Great Britain Lions, Palmerston North Panthers, Manawatu Mustangs, Baypark Busters, Canterbury Glen Eagles, Gisborne Giants, Nelson Tigers, Rotorua Rebels, Stratford Scrappers, Wanganui Warriors, Wellington Wildcats.