The summer of speedway was concluded in traditional metal crunching fashion during the two day extravaganza at Taipa Speedway over Queen's Birthday Weekend.
Local commentator Carole Teixeira noted brilliant sunshine on both days attracted droves of spectators who were rewarded with some exciting speedway action with 126 races in 21different grades being run. And no one left disappointed, Carole confirmed, thanks to another two day display of "horrendous carnage"; albeit without any major injury occuring.
That was in full evidence in the stockcars team racing on Sunday with Auckland versus Taipa with first blood going to Merie Perry when she slammed into Auckland's Leigh Cossey who rolled over from the impact while still reeling from being put sideways by Ray Dare.
The action began on Saturday with two roll-overs in the demo teams and quarter midget events while other highlights saw John Hussey's bonnet fly off during aggressive limited saloon racing, three cars clashing in the B-grade saloons, and Dargaville's Phil Dench unable to avoid slamming into the mess left by Roger Frear and Dave Clements after the pair came together on the back straight.
A number of trophy races were also raced over the two days including for the MacKenzie Cup (men's C grade) which was won by Daniel De Waal, the Percy Poharama Memorial Trophy taken out by Shane Wilson, the McIntyre Trophy (men's stockcars) won for the second year in a row by Scott Tennant from Auckland despite the best intentions of Taipa's Rob Anderson and Auckland's Phil Smith, the Coulston Memorial Trophy (men's production) where Rex Roycroft lead Colin Aukett and Bruce Mallindine to the chequered flag, and the Cortesi Family Trophy (juniors) won by Nathan Canty.
Other highlights included the sight of Six Shooter from Waiuku (a six-cylinder wingless sprint class which could be seen racing more often in the Far North next year); a 20-lap race featuring super and limiteds where limited drivers John Hussey and Terry Grigg eliminated each other allowing Max Andresen to lead Ray Jordan to the finish line; while Billy Duval's Taipa team won the crowd-pleasing demo derby teams challenge after shutting down Clint Lyford's crew from Hamilton in four of the six metal crunching races.
More from the final event in New Zealand's 2011/ 12 speedway season will feature next week. In the meantime, enthusiasts can view footage from Queen's Birthday Weekend racing at Taipa on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/caztex?feature=mhee).
