Hawke's Bay's Jason Long was a man of mixed emotions after winning the Autumn Nationals Superstock title at Meeanee on Saturday night.
"I'm stoked to win it. It's my biggest title but at the same time I'm gutted mum and dad weren't here to see it," said Long referring to his parents Murray and Fiona, who were attending a work-related conference in Auckland.
"Maybe that's the secret ... we might have to send them away more often when I've got big meetings coming up," quipped Long.
With two first placings off grids four and 17 respectively and an eighth off grid 18 in the 24-car Thirsty Whale Bar and Restaurant-sponsored event Long, 19, won the title by two points from the Hawke's Bay-based Palmerston North-contracted Shane Penn, who was driving the car which used to be raced by retired Rotorua driver Stan Hickey.
Rotorua's former national champion Kyle Fraser was a point behind Penn in third place.
Considering the fact Long is still in his first season of racing and the high quality of the field, it was a huge feat for someone who shares the drives with his father.
One of the Bay's top ministock drivers before stepping up to the superstock ranks, Long said his father will have the final meeting of the season at ZM Meeanee Speedway on May 28. Earlier on Saturday Long - who is into his first year of Sport and Recreation and Business courses at EIT - played prop for the Hastings Rugby and Sports development side which maintained their unbeaten run with a 20-6 win against Napier Technical.
Hawke's Bay stockcar drivers dominated their L & R Kuru-sponsored Autumn Nationals. Aaron Iremonger's superior speed was the key to his victory in the run-off for the title against Tony Palmer in the 26-car event.
Their clubmate Randal Tarrant beat Rotorua's Jeff Munro in the run-off for third. Seventeen-year-old Tarrant, who is in his first season in the class after progressing from the ministock ranks, displayed superb driving nous - with well-timed hit-and-run manoeuvres to win his run-off. Another Hawke's Bay driver, Keith Hingston, was on target to win the title before his engine died half a lap from the chequered flag.
Three wins from as many starts saw Hawke's Bay's 2NZ Grant Flynn take out the Onekawa Metal Recyclers Autumn Nationals for Super Saloons.
Many of the North Island's top ministock drivers were among the 44 starters in this class, but the visitors couldn't stop a Hawke's Bay trifecta of Max Bayley, Quinn Ryan and Sara Whittington in their top-30 race.
Former Hawke's Bay Speedway Club president, Paul Ludeman, had a memorable night in the nine-strong TQ class. He recorded his first win of the season in the second heat and collected third placings in the first and third heats.
His Bay clubmate Christine Bargh drove the car of Hawke's Bay's 2NZ Duane Todd and won the third heat after finishing second in the second heat.
A day before his 19th birthday Hawke's Bay's Steven Martin won the second heat in an 11-strong saloon class. Mount Maunganui visitors Chris and Steve Cowling won the other heats.
Chris Cowling had a spectacular roll in his second heat.
Rob Simmons collected two wins and Bay clubmate Justin Power the other in the six-strong kiwilite class.
Results - below.
Speedway: Jason snatches title while parents away
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