Speedway: Hawkeyes driver Wise ready for other side of fence

Maddie Wise works on his superstock in the buildup to this weekend's ENZED Teams Champs in Palmerston North. Photograph / Warren Buckland

Rookie Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes superstock team driver Maddie Wise can appreciate the irony in the countdown to the most prestigious event on the Speedway New Zealand calendar.

"For the past six years I've been among the spectators idolising the likes of Adam and Scott Joblin of Palmerston North. This weekend I could be on the other side of the fence racing against them ... it feels weird in a way," Wise said.

Should Wise, 20, get track time for the Hawkeyes at the 14-team ENZED Teams Champs in Palmerston North this weekend he will become the youngest driver to race for the Hawkeyes at the event. Wise, fellow rookie Randal Tarrant, Regan O'Brien, Adam Groome, Quintin Butcher and sixth man and manager Mike McLachlan will unveil their new team colours and kit at a function to be held at Meeanee Speedway tonight.

"I was pretty excited when I got the call from Mike. It was a long day waiting for it and I didn't believe it at first," Wise recalled.

The third-season driver in the class was referring to January 21 the day after his final trial in front of McLachlan.

"Making the Hawkeyes has always been my goal since I started in the class but I didn't think it was going to happen this quick. Because I have been working down in Gore I haven't been able to teams race earlier this season so Palmy will be my first taste of it," Wise explained.

A trainee welder, Wise, said he has been selected for his running.

"Off the track I like to bring a positive attitude. It's important you have fun and I like to help generate a good team spirit no matter what sport I'm involved in. If I get the chance on the track I'll drive like crazy," said Wise who was a five-time national karting champion in his younger days.

"I'm really happy with how my car is going. We've sorted those issues which nagged us in the early days."

During the New Zealand Grand Prix in Rotorua last month he was top on points going into the final championship race but a flat tyre dashed his title hopes. He was also top on points before being rolled in the Waikato champs.

At the New Zealand champs in Auckland Wise rolled during the first race. As a spectator at the Palmy Teams Champs, Wise said there was always numerous drivers he could learn off.
"Obviously in recent years it has been the whole Hawkeyes team. In the early days I learnt a lot off Shane Penn [a multiple title winner with the Palmerston North Panthers] who was pretty fast and the Joblin brothers.

Wise was quick to reply when he asked if he was confident about the Hawkeyes' chances of completing a three-peat this weekend.

"I know we've got a good team ... 100 per cent."

He was full of praise for the assistance he has received from teammates and others including former Hawkeye Quinn Ryan who has passed on numerous tips.

"I've learnt heaps off Quinn and often that sort of work can be the difference between getting your car ready between races and not getting it ready."

The Hawkeyes have draw the Whanganui Warriors and Waikato Wanderers for their races on Saturday night. McLachlan gave the draw the thumbs up.

"I respect all the teams and every team will give you a tough time at this event. If you go in like a tall poppy you will get beaten but I'm pretty happy with the draw."

Other teams in action will be the Auckland Allstars, Baypark Busters, Canterbury Glen Eagles, Gisborne Giants, Great Britain Lions, Manawatu Mustangs, Nelson Tigers, Palmerston North Panthers, Rotorua Rebels, Stratford Scrappers and the Wellington Wildcats.