Fireworks at Rotorua's Paradise Valley Speedway. Photo / SPORTSWEB PHOTOGRAPHY
Fireworks at Rotorua's Paradise Valley Speedway. Photo / SPORTSWEB PHOTOGRAPHY
Excitement is set to ignite at Paradise Valley Speedway tomorrow night as Rotorua welcomes the first speedway meeting of the new season, an event that doubles as the city’s annual public fireworks display for Guy Fawkes.
Continuing a tradition that spans decades, this dual celebration is expected todraw thousands of spectators, setting the tone for a thrilling racing year ahead.
Rotorua Stockcar Club president Nick Beazley said he was looking forward to getting under way.
“Fireworks night is always a big meeting for our locals. It’s always mayhem from around 6.15 so if you can, come early to beat the traffic queues, and get the best seats.”
The fireworks display will take place midway through the racing programme so families with younger children can get home, as well as easing some of the traffic congestion leaving the venue, which has again seen several upgrades over the winter months.
New lighting in the carpark, rebuilt corporate boxes, and a major change to the track alignment and concrete wall in turn two are some of the more noticeable upgrades.
“We try to do as much as we can to continue to improve the facilities for everybody. A lot has been going on”, Beazley said.
Racing at Rotorua's Paradise Valley Speedway. Photo / SPORTSWEB PHOTOGRAPHY
The opening meeting will see many local heroes line up for their first competitive laps of the season.
But there is little chance to take it easy, as championships are on the line straight away.
Following the rain cancellation of the Easter Championships, both the Superstocks and Stockcars will be racing for titles.
Former stockcar driver Dion Henderson begins his first full season in the Superstock class and is showing some early form after a podium finish in Taranaki last weekend.
“I’ve raced at four different tracks over recent weeks, and a couple of practices here. So I’m really looking forward to a competitive run at home,” Henderson said.
“Changing up a class in a whole extra level. The power of the Superstock is insane.
“It is a lot harder to drive than I imagined, but I’m loving the challenge”.
Streetstocks and Youth Ministocks complete the racing fields.
For drivers, this was a chance to set the pace for the months ahead, while spectators can expect edge-of-your-seat action.
If the night is rained off, the event will move to Sunday night.
The facts
What: The Motion Entertainment Speedway and Fireworks Spectacular
