Master blaster celebrates big return with triple wins

MECHANICAL WOES: Chris Hinde from Opua was a highlight of the double points day at Taipa Speedway racing in the B-grade until he destroyed the driveshaft of his Mercedes.PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

One of the highlights from the double points day at Taipa Stock and Saloon Car Club's meet on Sunday was the long-awaited return of Kaitaia's Mark Oldfield with a nicely-prepared race car.

As the sole limited saloon grade driver on the day, Oldfield was able to claim first place in all three races unopposed, although that didn't slow him down from going pedal to the metal against the super saloon of Kaikohe's Darren Emm, and B-graders Mike James from Kaikohe and Chris Hinde from Opua with three grades racing together.

In her report from the day's proceedings, local motorsport commentator Carole Teixeira noted Hinde was a newcomer but a welcome addition to the local motorsport scene in fronting in his brand new Mercedes.

"With his only previous foray with anything on wheels being to win the Russell trolley derby a few years back, Hinde got a handle on the track in the first race, and then proceeded to throw this very distinctive-looking Mercedes around like he was born to do, at least until he destroyed his driveshaft universal in the third race," she said, adding Hinde told her he was really happy with his first effort, and will be replacing the Mercedes' lightweight universal with something more substantial for the next meet.

Also notable at Sunday's meet was the battle in the C-grade ladies class which heated up as each round was contested with new racer Pam Fisher continuing to show her rapid improvement and turning into a real threat in this grade: "Fisher chased veteran Mere Poharama to the finish line in the first two rounds but got the jump to the lead in the third round and managed to fend off the hard challenging Poharama all the way to the chequered flag."

In the production saloon class, Kaikohe's Peter Cortesi from Kaikohe was on course to come away with maximum (and double) points until the third round where Taipa's Craig DeWaal threw his hat into the ring. The pair proceeded to go head-to-head in a tussle that lasted right until they crossed the finish line together but Cortesi eventually declared the winner by a bumper width.

Elsewhere, those hoping to seen an impressive battle in the C-grade men's class between the Honda Civics of Rob Weal and Allen Hallett were left disappointed after the latter's car developed overheating problems in the second round and he had to retire for the rest of the day. Teixeira concluded her report by noting heavy rain the night before provided another good moist drivable track which had been well prepared during the week by club chairman Allen Hallett.