Hawke's Bay sidecar combination Justin Lincoln (left) and Adrian Orchard in the countdown to this weekend's national championship at Meeanee. Photo/Paul Taylor
FROM the most unexpected of liaisons can emerge quality ... just ask the Hawke's Bay sidecar combination of rider Justin Lincoln and swinger Adrian Orchard.
"My dad Tich used to be Justin's tattooist and I wanted to have a go at swinging for years so he was happy to give me the opportunity," Orchard replied when quizzed on how the pair got together.
That was six seasons ago, when Lincoln returned to the sport after a 10-year break following eight seasons of racing with different swingers.
Three bikes later, they have a new one this season which was built by Gisborne's Toby Lardelli.
Flaxmere's Lincoln, 42, and Napier's Orchard, 38, are regarded among Hawke's Bay's best hopes for the David Jones Motors New Zealand championship which will be chased by 35 crews at Meeanee tonight and tomorrow night.
The pair were quick to acknowledge why they have been tipped to do well.
"Definitely because of the new bike. We've got better with it each meeting and we're peaking at the right time. With the nationals in mind we've only raced at Meeanee this season," replied Heinz Wattie's Ltd frozens department shift leader Lincoln.
"With the new bike we're racing at a different level now. When we come back into the pits after each race we hardly have to do a thing with this bike. There's a lot more communication before and after meetings now between us. I have a better understanding of the bike," replied self employed painter and decorator Orchard as he tapped their machine which is powered by a 2011 1000cc GSXR engine.
"It's definitely a two-way thing. The other one knows what the other one is thinking," Lincoln said.
While Orchard pointed out the home track advantage should work in their favour Lincoln said there is no extra pressure because they will be racing in front of their home crowd.
"We're just amped to put on a good show for our sponsors," he said before listing their major ones - David Jones Motors, 007 Paintball, Jet Leathers and Mag & Tyre Hastings.
Just as crucial as this group are their respective partners Barbette and Marie.
At last summer's Whanganui-hosted nationals Lincoln and Orchard finished equal 16th after qualifying second in their group.
"Qualifying is our first goal. Once we do that then we can aim for No 1. All we need to worry about is the start line and getting a good start. We've got one of the best starts," Lincoln said.
When asked who he ranked as the crews to beat Lincoln replied:
"There are 34 other crews to beat. On their day any one of them can take the title out."
Last summer they finished third in the Hawke's Bay and East Coast champs. They were also part of the winning team at the Gisborne Teams Champs last season and a top four finish at the Wellington championships during the 2015-16 season also features prominently among their career highlights.
It's easy to see why more than several gamblers among the speedway fraternity are tipping them for a top three finish this weekend. One of the more relaxed crews spectators will observe between races, Lincoln and Orchard know when to switch on and off.
"This sport is a real head game. It's important to stay in the zone when the time comes," Orchard added.
"That's our approach ... we just take each race as it comes," Lincoln added.
Each of the 35 crews will have three heats tonight to determine the top 16 crews who will tussle for the title tomorrow night.
Fancied visiting crews include defending champions, Palmerston North father-and-son combo Derek and Matthew Ramsay, and the Hawke's Bay-based Auckland-contracted 3NZ crew of Russell Stuart and Andrew Parker.
Both of these crews have made several visits to Meeanee this season as part of their buildup to the nationals.
Along with Lincoln and Orchard other host track crews Troy Devery and Pete Steigenberger, Andrew McNamara and George Olsen, Dave Black and Cole Petterson and the hubby and wife pair of Kim and Kerry Johnston have the potential to make the top 16.
Major highlights during the past week for Hawke's Bay Speedway Club members included Tom Stanaway's title-winning effort at the New Zealand Superstock Grand Prix in Rotorua and the Meeanee Maulers third placing at the New Zealand Stockcar Teams Champs in Auckland.
Former 3NZ Stanaway won his title by five points from Palmerston North's Jack Miers and Rotorua's Bryce Steiner was third.
After Stanaway the in-form Quinn Ryan was the next best of the Hawke's Bay starters with a fourth placing.
Members of the Maulers team at their 11-team nationals were Brandon Symes, Brett Loveridge, Andre Stenson, Bryce Cross, Ethan Anderson and reserve driver Ethan Cross.
Stratford Stormers won the title and the Wellington Young Guns were second.
The Maulers qualified fourth on the first night after a win against the Waikato Raiders and a loss to the Kihikihi Crusaders.
On the second night the Maulers beat the Crusaders before losing to the Stormers in the semifinals. The Maulers beat the Rotorua Rascals in the battle for third.