Three inquiries into death of driver at speedway

Ray Channing. Photo / Supplied

Family and friends of a popular Rotorua stockcar racer are struggling with his death in an accident on Saturday night.

Ray Channing, 50, died at the Huntly Speedway track about 8pm shortly after his stockcar hurled backwards into a wall during a race at the Waikato Stockcar Championship King of the Dirt race.

Yesterday, Mr Channing's step-daughter Teri Munro said family and friends were struggling to cope with their loss.

"He was surrounded by all the things he absolutely loved, including his love of cars, his love of his grandchildren, his business and his partner," she said.

"Everything was perfect and just the way he wanted it."

Ms Munro said Mr Channing was thrilled to be a part of the speedway fraternity and he "absolutely adored" his partner (her mother, Alex Munro) and his two grandchildren.

"He called them his number one pit crew and he involved them right from the time they could walk and could hold a steering wheel.

"He was proud of his accomplishments in stockcar racing and so thankful to the many people who had helped him to get there," she said.

Mr Channing, who was brought up in Taupo, had a stint drag-racing in his younger days before he went on to sponsor stockcar drivers.

About six or seven years ago, he became instantly hooked by racing stockcars when he went to an event and got behind the wheel.

Ms Munro said her stepfather was always willing to help others.

He also had an "impeccable" sense of comedic timing and was sharp with comebacks.

"Anyone who knows him would understand that," she said.

"His humour was unlike anything else."

Ms Munro said the funeral arrangements for Mr Channing - who owned Reconz Auto Machinists in Rotorua, which specialises in motor engine reconditioning - had yet to be decided.

The Waikato police district duty inspector, Jeff Penno, would not comment about the circumstances leading up to the crash but said police and the Department of Labour were investigating the accident.

Speedway NZ is also holding an inquiry into the crash, the results of which will be forwarded to police.

Mr Penno said police were keen to obtain any video footage of the accident from spectators.

"That's not about apportioning culpability ... It's just about ensuring any safety parameters can be made so this doesn't happen again," he said.

A brief statement on the Huntly Speedway website from the Waikato Stock & Saloon Car Club, which operates the track, said members were grieving over the sudden and tragic passing of the driver.

"The Waikato Stock and Saloon Car Club would ask that all people refrain from speculation and comment until the correct procedures are followed," the statement said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, crew, friends and fellow competitors at this time."

Anyone with footage of the crash is asked to contact Sergeant Neil Mouncher at the Huntly police on (07) 828-7560.