Speedway: Meeanee drivers hope to capitalise on home track in Hawke’s Bay

Don-Tage Irfan has earned himself a reputation as an entertaining stirrer.

-This article is provided courtesy of Meeanee Speedway

During recent seasons Hawke’s Bay Streetstock driver Don-Tage Irfan has earnt himself a reputation as an entertaining stirrer.

Irfan is happy to put his car and body on the line as he attempts to deny visitors or clubmates, if he feels it’s warranted, podium finishes. Don’t expect the 22-year-old’s tactics to change too much during Saturday’s Forestry Maintenance Ltd and Heavy Haul Hawke’s Bay -sponsored 38-car New Zealand Grand Prix for his class at Meeanee Speedway.

“I’ll be keen to use my front bumper if I have to,” Irfan said in the countdown to the first of two Speedway New Zealand events to be hosted by the Hawke’s Bay Speedway Club this summer.

“Obviously the main goal is to go out there and have some nice clean racing and hope three Bay drivers fill the podium.

“I’ll definitely be trying to be among the top three,” Irfan said.

“We’ve got some fast cars here in the Bay and racing on the home track will be a bit of an advantage,” Irfan explained.

The V6 Ecotech Commodore driver is one of 13 Hawke’s Bay-contracted drivers in the field. Irfan pointed out the Rotorua-contracted former Hawke’s Bay pair of North Island champion Al Howatson and Phil McNamara could proves to be valuable allies to the host track contingent.

Hawke’s Bay’s defending champion Darren Melling and clubmate Brent Redington, who also knows how to podium at national events, will start as the favourites.

The 38 drivers will be divided into two groups which will each have two 12-lap heat races. The top 13 drivers from each group will then have three 15-lap races to determine the major placings.

Superstocks, Stockcars, Ministocks and Solos will provide the support class action.

Hawke’s Bay’s new New Zealand Stockcar class champion Caleb Ireland will be having his first outing on home turf since winning his crown at Te Marua Speedway last month. At least 22 drivers are expected in his class.

Promising Hawkeye Jacob Buckrell, who finished fourth equal at last weekend’s Rotorua-hosted World 240s meeting, will be one of 16 starters in the Superstock class. Rotorua’s David Elsworth will again make the trip south to test his skills against the talented Meeanee contingent.

Multiple national champion Bradley Wilson-Dean will be among the five starters in the Solos class. It will be his first outing on him home track since returning from his latest stint in the United Kingdom.

His father, Darrin Wilson, Graham Wedlake, Michael Patey and Cody Mudgeway are the other riders.

Twenty-four drivers will strut their stuff in the Ministock class.

Public gates open at 5pm and racing starts at 6pm.