"It's important we stick to our strategies. But anything can happen in teams racing and we have to be able to adapt if circumstances change. It's about not talking ... just nodding," Swannell explained.
A joiner with Twin City Aluminium, Swannell, has been one of the Bay's big improvers in the stockcar class this season. He said having a car which used to be raced by fellow Mauler and one of the province's most successful drivers in the class, Brett Loveridge, has been a key factor.
"I've had plenty of help from Brett as well as Aaron," he said referring to Aaron Iremonger who has raced for the Roughies and Maulers in the past.
A father of three, Swannell, is grateful for the support he receives from his partner Sarah. She will be doing her best to fire Swannell up by wearing a Roughies T-shirt to both nights of racing.
"I'll take my Maulers one just in case they do well," she quipped.
The draw for the heats won't be made until tonight but one of the reasons Swannell hopes the Maulers will meet the Roughies is that it will give him an opportunity to race against his idol and one of the Bay's most brutal teams racers Mike McLachlan.
"I've raced with Mike in a teams race but never against him. I'm a strong believer in what Mike says regularly ... if you are not going to beat them you might as well wait for them."
Finishing second with Lowe in Hawke's Bay's Best Pairs event during the past two seasons are Swannell's biggest achievements. He missed out on qualifying at the Kihi Kihi-hosted nationals and just missed out on qualifying at the Palmerston North-hosted North Island champs.
However this event, which was abandoned because of wet weather, is being re-run on April 7 and 8 and he will have the chance to qualify.
"Money dictates a lot in this sport and when you have 180 cars at the nationals making the top 30 can be a big deal. That's a realistic target for me in the future," Swannell added.
Powell pointed out his team is in a rebuilding phase.
"Fourth place at the nationals in Gisborne last month was a bonus for us. We've got no expectations. We're building for next year's nationals in Auckland with a good bunch of young fellahs and it's all good for the future."
Hawke's Bay fans won't be surprised if the Roughies upstage the Maulers. Along with McLachlan, Kairyn O'Brien, is the other member of the Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes Superstock team which won a second consecutive Palmerston North teams title last month who will turn out for the Roughies.
Add the likes of experienced campaigners Tony Palmer and Tony Darroch and the in-form Smith and Brandon Symes and it's easy to see why the Roughies are ranked among the favourites. Defending champions for the event which is raced in memory of former Central Hawke's Bay businessman and farmer Peter Barry who died in 2009 after a speedway incident, Rotorua Rascals, will field just two members of last year's winning team in Brent Stewart and Darcy Meurant.
Other visiting teams will be the Auckland Alley Cats, Waikato Raiders, Palmerston North Pumas, Stratford Stormers, Wanganui Vulcans and Manawatu Steelers. The David Jones Motors Gold Cup for Ministocks which has attracted 36 starters will also be staged both nights.