Motorsport: Super saloons in a spot of trouble

Usually speedways are for racing on, not multiple-car pile-ups like Taipa's speedway saw.

Having had two incident-free races, all it took was a lap three crossing of lines to cause chaos - thankfully, injury free.

During Sunday's Hussey Saloon Trophy Challenge, John Hussey and Keith Wilson crossed lines and collided, causing other racers to take evasive action.

Nick Caldwell couldn't avoid the tangle and ploughed into Wilson's front left wheel, while Ray Dare, Terry Grigg and Shirl Andresen managed last-second evasive manoeuvres and managed to come away unscathed. It was lucky only Wilson's saloon was towed to the infield and retired from the race, with the race eventually won by Ray Jordan.

The weekend's racing was the first three-round race meeting in 2013 for the Challenge Trophy which sees teams of saloons and super saloons challenge each other.

The earlier races were taken out by Terry Grigg, who got a jump on the field and led from start to finish, and Wilson with his not-so-new anymore super saloon.

At the conclusion of the first round of the Hussey Saloon Trophy Challenge, the leading drivers are Roy Walker (25 points); Ray Jordan and John Hussey (equal 23 points); Ray Dare (22); and Terry Grigg (21). Taipa is currently leading Kaikohe in the team's event by 80 points to 69.

The Taipa team will go into the second and final round at Kaikohe Speedway on February 2 with an 11 point lead.

Dargaville's Anniversary Weekend two-day meet is up next with racing kicking off on January 26 with racing starting at 12pm.

Taipa's next race day will be held on February 24 with the Doubtless Bay Auto Parts sponsored Club Championships, featuring the Glyn Quilter Memorial Trophy for local super saloons and saloons who reside north of Kawakawa.