GAME CHANGER: Matt Goodgame is relishing his switch from two wheels to four. PHOTO/Paul Taylor
A SECOND concussion following a bad accident was the signal ... it was time for Hawke's Bay motocross rider Matt Goodgame to look for another form of motorsport.
That was last year and he found it in the TQ class at the Hawke's Bay Speedway Club's Hauraki Meeanee Speedway track.
Goodgame, 24, had a meeting in Kris Gillies TQ last summer and tomorrow night the apprentice electrician will race his boss Mark Alexander's car in what is likely to be the first of several meetings.
"It's definitely a lot safer than two wheels. At the same time it's hard making the adjustment from racing two wheels. Rather than being gentle on the brakes I'm full on and I have to work on getting the flow on the corners," Goodgame explained.
After 15 years on the motocross scene he wasn't expecting it to be an easy transition. Among Goodgame's highlights on two wheels were a fourth placing in the 15-16 years 250cc class at the North Island champs, two Hawke's Bay senior men's MX1 championship titles and the overall points winner for two consecutive years.
"I wasn't as consistent as I would have liked. I can see myself in the TQ class for many years to come ... if I had the money I would buy my own car," Goodgame said.
He has set himself a couple of simple goals for tomorrow night.
"I don't want to get lapped and because I'm starting at the back of the field I want to pass a car or two if I get the opportunity. At last summer's meeting I did I remember being lapped twice in my first race but by the time of the last race I wasn't being lapped."
While Alexander, who has raced for 14 years, will get his water cooled Kawasaki 636cc car back for the November 7 Guy Fawkes meeting Goodgame will get the bulk of the meetings during the Christmas holiday period when Alexander is on holiday. If he performs well in the car and on the job for Alexander, Goodgame can expect regular drives.
For the past four weeks Goodgame and Alexander have been working at the track putting up the first eight of 16 new light poles. During their smoko breaks they talked lines.
"I know I can learn a lot from Mark. I also know if I do well at Meeanee I will do well anywhere in New Zealand because we also have quality fields here with the likes of Craig and Duane Todd who are both two-time national champions and we get regular visits from top Auckland drivers," Goodgame said.
Alexander assured him the safety aspect is a lot better than it was when he was on two wheels.
"I rolled a couple of times in one race last season and got out of the car and walked away. Everyone remembers the crash involving the two Todds last season when Craig was able to race in the next two races after they both rolled several times. Most times we just get belt bruises," Alexander said.
"Yes that's me," Godgame said before giving the car a clean.
In addition to a 13-strong TQ class including visiting Auckland drivers superstocks, stockcars, super saloons, saloons, streetstocks, sidecars and ministocks will be racing. Both of Hawke's Bay's 1NZs from last summer, Steve Flynn in super saloons and Duane Todd in TQs, will be among the starters.
Two-time Hawke's Bay superstock champion Tony Meechan is returning after a season off. All four Melling brothers, Darren in saloons, Wayne, Shayne and Daniel in streetstocks, will be in action.
Bailey Warner will make his debut in the ministock class. His older brothers, Sam and Brandon, have raced in the class previously. They are the sons of superstock driver Shane Warner and grandsons of former stockcar driver Tony Warner.
Providing they don't collect too much damage at the Palmerston North meeting tonight several Manawatu competitors including stockcar driver Scott Penn will travel east tomorrow. Racing starts at 7pm.