Action-packed racing enthrals

The roar of over 50 Superstocks took over Stratford Speedway with all competitors vying to win the NZ Superstock Grand Prix or the second tier, King of the Mountain Title.

Cars were split into three groups on Friday to gain as many points as possible over three rounds of racing.

Saturday night started with two repechages to find the last two qualifiers. These races are a last chance for non-qualifiers to make it into the finals. Chad Ace (4p) and Carl Shearer (75s) won and proceeded to the finals. Local competitor Nik Kiser (5s) advanced to the finals when Scott Tennant (29a) withdrew with engine issues.

The three final heats were some of the most action-packed racing Stratford has seen. After the second heat Scott Joblin (54p) lead with 51 points, Dale Robertson (89w), Graeme Barr (3NZ) and Peter Bengston (58p) all second equal on 43 points, and Carl Shearer third on 37.

The third heat was all or nothing for drivers; 15 laps of thundering Superstocks had the crowd on their feet, screaming for their favourite drivers.

Non-qualifying Superstocks ran for the second tier title; the King of the Mountain.

Rebecca Barr (34p) led from the first heat and was crowned King (Queen) of the Mountain on 48 points. Ex Stratford driver Richard Hart (67p) came second with 44 points and Regan Gernhoefer (62s) was third with 38 points.

Supporting classes on Friday were: Streetstocks, Saloons, and Minisprints. With a few travelling drivers making up their numbers, 10 Streetstocks put on a great show for fans.

Fifteen minisprint cars took to the track with Lance Mitchell (87p) barrel rolling in turn three during their first race of the night, reinforcing that the safety requirements in this class work to keep the drivers from serious injury.

Saloons had two races, with the third a Super Saloon race. Legendary driver Blondie Chamberlin (77s) started half a lap down from the pack but passed half the pack before the chequered flag.

Supporting classes on Saturday were: Stockcars, Midgets Modifieds, and Adult Ministocks. Nine midgets raced and unfortunately Dean Hambling (7s) clipped the wall, flipped and rolled in turn three during their first race of the night.

Adult Ministocks raced on Saturday night for the Best Pairs title with Thomas Meyer (97s) and Ryan Nolly (39s) winning with 109 points. Shane Denham (37s) paired with Nicole Booker (52s) to take second with 107 points and Josh Evershed (10s) raced with Lawrence Barr (34s) for third place with 101 points.

Winners of the McCurdy Engineering/Moller Johnson Ltd New Zealand Superstock Grand Prix 2014/15:

1st - Dale Robertson (89w) on 68 points

2nd - Scott Joblin (54p) on 67 points

3rd - Graham Barr (3NZ) on 65 points.