Speedway: Hawkeyes look to tame Wildcats

FINAL TOUCHES: Adam Groome completes some final checks on his car in the countdown to tomorrow night's meeting. PHOTO/Warren Buckland

HAWKE'S Bay superstock driver Adam Groome has never been a fan of regular visits to the doctor.

With a heavy bout of the flu which has been rife in the Bay this week Groome made sure he made a visit on Wednesday so he could score a decent supply of antibiotics.

"I didn't race well last weekend and part of that was because of the flu. I want to be right for this weekend," Groome said as he contemplated the Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes teams race against the Wellington Wildcats at Meeanee tomorrow night.

That visit was also an indication Groome, 28, who is in his seventh year in the class, is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to make the Hawkeyes team for the February 3 and 4 Enzed Superstock Teams Championship in Palmerston North. This is the glamour event on the Speedway New Zealand calendar and Groome is one of eight drivers battling for the six berths.

A diesel mechanic for KPH Transport in Hastings, Groome, raced in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 editions of the event and only sat out one race at those meetings but missed selection for this year's edition which saw the Hawkeyes beat the Great Britain Lions to capture the title for the first time.

"I was happy for the guys but devastated I wasn't in the team. It would mean everything to be a part of the team again and go down there and try and win the title again. I had six teams approach me to race for them but I only want to race in Hawkeyes colours," Groome said.

Last weekend the Hawkeyes were beaten by the Manawatu Mustangs in Palmerston North.

"None of us were happy with our performances. We didn't execute our roles to our full potential and that's what we need to do to beat the Wildcats. We don't want to lose on home soil. I think the Mustangs knew what we were going to do before we went out on the track ... I was the only block car and I had three of their cars on me each race," Groome explained.

Apart from that visit to Palmy, which saw him taste a team defeat for the first time at that track, Groome has had a memorable season - including the driver of the night award for the best Bay driver across all classes at the last Meeanee meeting on November 5.

"I've got a good car which was new last season and all the work we've done during the off season is paying off," Groome said tapping his Mid West Toyota-powered stockcar.

Another key to his success has been the fact his father Mike Groome has opted out of racing this season so he can assist his on with his quest.

"Dad has stood down from his selector's role with the Hawkeyes also but is still the team's assistant manager. We're going to have to let him have a race in my car at some stage this season for the sacrifices he has made."

While tomorrow night is another step in the selection process for Hawkeyes manager James Buckrell and fellow selector and former Hawkeye Murray Long Groome, the contenders know top performances in the North Island champs at Huntly on December 16 and 17, the nationals in Palmerston North on January 2 and 3, the New Zealand Grand Prix at Meeanee on January 6 and 7 and the world 240s in Rotorua on January 13 and 14 will enhance their chances.

Buckrell said there was no need for panic in the wake of last weekend's loss.

"It was the first of three meetings and at this stage of the season we're trying different race scenarios so if we are faced with them in Palmy in February the team will know how to react. We did the same thing last season ... everything is done with the aim of performing well in February and we're happy with the depth we have to select from."

Buckrell added there was no shortage of talent and experience in the Wildcats team and both the Hawkeyes and Wildcats had plenty of respect for each other.

In addition to superstocks, stockcars, ministocks, streetstocks, production saloons and solobikes will be racing tomorrow night.

Teams:
Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes: Thomas Stanaway, Adam Groome, Jason Long, Quentin Butcher. Reserves: Steve Jude, Zac Lawrence.
Wellington Wildcats: Josh Kahui, Keegan Levien, Richard Gaskin, Paul Fairbrother, Dale Robertson.