SPEEDWAY - Foley takes stock

SHANE HURNDELL
HAWKE'S Bay superstock driver Garry Foley has shunned the limelight over the years.
"I've always preferred to be a quiet achiever," he said as he raced against time to get his Toyota 248 ready for the Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes' assault on the national Teams Champs that begin in Palmerston North tonight.
But Foley, 46, who returns to the sport after a five-year stint in 1980s, couldn't avoid the limelight last weekend when he produced a well-timed hit on fellow Bay driver John Hynd that resulted in a trip to hospital for Hynd.
It also forced Hynd, who was to drive for the Stratford Scrappers this weekend, out of the Teams Champs.
Foley wasn't prepared to say why he did it.
"Those sort of things stay on the track," he said.
Axel (Foley's nickname - yes, it does come from the Beverly Hills Cop character Axel Foley) was happy to talk about his passion for the sport and to admit how stressed he was in his race against time to get his car ready for Palmy.
"I can tell you it's bloody tough working out here and looking at the car in the shed having nothing done to it ... yeah, I'm a little bit stressed," said the Dudding Contractors diesel technician.
"Normally I have the car looking like a hotrod. This week I'll be doing well just to get it ready for racing," he said.
Foley will be making his third appearance in the prestigious 12-team Palmerston North-hosted event when he joins captain Murray Long, Steve Jude, Trevor Mason, Steve O'Dwyer and sixth man Brent Larsen in the Hawkeyes line-up.
His previous two were back in the 1980s.
"I've been to every event since then as a spectator," said Foley who became addicted to the sport as a youngster when he used to bike from his Tannery Road house to every meeting at Meeanee.
Asked if all those years in the stands as a spectator will assist him tonight and tomorrow night Foley replied: "Yes and no.
"It's completely different when you're sitting in the car on the track than when you're up high in the stands ... you can only see certain sections of the track."
He agreed that with a bit of luck the Hawkeyes could improve on last year's second placing and get top spot.
They must beat the Nelson Tigers and Otago Cougars tonight to qualify for tomorrow night's semifinals.
"It's first across the line stuff. Whatever happens when the red lights go out ... you just go for it," Foley said.
"It's hard to plan and you've got to be versatile."
Versatility is something Foley boasts and so is consistency. He's been the Bay's most consistent driver this summer with top 10 finishes in the World 240s, North Island champs and the Global Challenge in Palmy.
Qualifying for the championship section of last season's nationals in Dunedin and finishing 17th was another highlight.
The Dudding Contractors-Hydraulics Hawke's Bay-sponsored Foley said the secret to his success this season has been "time in the seat".
"The more events you go in the better you become."
Foley had some advice for the hundreds of Hawkeyes supporters travelling west this afternoon wondering whether to purchase tickets for both nights or one.
"We've got a strong team ... we'll be there at the end," he added before resuming his race against time.