Towler looks to break new ground (+ video)

Young Rotorua driver Dylan Towler is preparing to do something no other driver has done before in the 13-year history of Ministocks in Paradise - and retain his title.

Regarded by many as the unofficial youth ministock national title, the Rotorua Stock Car Club hosted event has this year attracted more than 130 drivers from across the country.

Last year, Dylan became the first Rotorua contracted driver to win the title since Ken Hunter in 2006, and only the second in the history of the event. Hunter is now a Rotorua contracted superstock driver.

At the time, Dylan's father Ronnie, a former streetstock driver, said he was "very, very" proud of his son - and he still is.

''When you win a prestigious title like this, there are expectations of what you should be able to do to back it up. And we've had huge help from a lot of people this year to do that. We have some fantastic sponsors, people who have watched him drive and appreciated the way he drives.''

Towler junior has only one strategy for the defence of his title: "Just show up and give it everything.

"I'll just take it as it comes and if it goes my way then good, and if not, that's racing."

There has a been a race against time to be ready for qualifying tonight after the car was badly damaged in a crash at Napier's Meanee Speedway.

''Rotorua Steel Structures managed to repair the car - it's been a massive rebuild to get it to this meeting,'' said Ronnie. ''It's been a big team effort but we have had some good friends help with this and every repair we do - we are very lucky.''

In qualifying the top five from each of five groups, plus the five highest points scorers, gothrough to tomorrow's final series of races.

Dylan said the first corner could be ''pretty freaky'' and with 23 cars in his group, that would be no different when the wheels started rolling tonight.

''You know you've got to go in and try and win the corner - but some people try and win it on that first corner but because you've still got to go through eight laps you've got to be careful and keep your eye out for anything happening. It's the most difficult part of the race,'' he said.

Ronnie said the group had about eight really good drivers.

''I don't mind that - to be the best, you've got to beat the best, and being in a tough group could well work in his favour come finals night as he will be used to going that little bit faster.''

Dylan will come up against some of his mates during the qualifying races.

''James Wong - I've had good battle with him all year - and [Gisborne's] Hamish Moore is in the same group - there are some quick drivers in the group.''

Dylan has also driven at Palmerston North, Napier, Gisborne and Wellington, winning races at each of those tracks this season.

Now 16, he has been driving in the youth ministock class since he was 12, and this is his fourth Ministock in Paradise meeting. But his speedway pedigree goes much further back with both his father, uncle and grandfather racers.

''I think I went to my first meeting a couple of weeks after I was born,'' he said.

As well as the senior competition, the double-header meeting has a junior competition for drivers aged 12 and 13.

Racing starts at 6pm at Paradise Valley Raceway tonight and tomorrow.