Hawke's Bay streetstock driver Brent Redington took a pounding but still managed to retain his Wellington Championship title at Te Marua Speedway in the capital on Saturday night.
"As the only visitor in the 16-strong field and the defending champion I knew I would be targeted. But I didn't think I would get as much treatment as I got in the third heat ... all but two of the locals had a go at me," Redington, 50, recalled.
A veteran of 35 years in motorsport, Redington, won his first heat from grid seven. He was third in his second from grid 15 and seventh in his third from grid four.
These placings left Redington tied on points with his nephew Daniel Bouzaid so a four-lap run off was required to decide the title winner.
"I let him go at the start. With a lap to go I spun Daniel and then raced away for the title," Redington said.