Stratford Speedway Boxing Day race meeting provides plenty of thrills and spills

The large crowd that crammed into Stratford Speedway for the Hinton Contracting sponsored Boxing night race meeting were treated to an action packed night of entertainment.

Six classes were racing, four of which were racing for trophies plus there was a ramp demolition derby and a late addition to the programme of two Stockcar teams races that would see the Stratford Stormers take on the Rotorua Rascals twice.

Modified racer John Jackson was in a class of his own. After winning the North Island Modified Championship just 12 days prior, Jackson again dominated the racing with a third, first and second place in the nine car field to comfortably win the King of the Mountain Modified Champs by four points from Richard Pierce and Newton Gordge.

Duane Hickman won all three Midget races to win the King of the Mountain Champs with maximum points.

Stratford driver Mark Willans and Palmerston North's Chris Bagrie were tied equal on point for second so faced a four lap run of to determine the minor placings where Willans just pipped Bagrie across the line.

Even though he didn't win any races, Cameron Hurley raced consistently and won the closely contested Taranaki Minisprint Champs after recording a fifth, second and third placings.

Just one point behind in second place was Shaun Dickie while Conrad Hall had a decent run for a change and came home third.

Dale Michielsen and Hamish Edgecombe were too good for the rest of the Stockcar field and won the best pairs by an eleven point margin from Mike Abel and Gary Worthington.

Lawrence Barr and Jayden Meyer were third after beating Brad Podjursky and Shannon Andrews in an entertaining run off during which Podjursky smashed Meyer into the wall and then also Barr but couldn't quite slow him down enough to allow Andrews past.

The New Zealand Champion Stratford Stormers were in superb form and won both races against the Rascals. The first race they showcased a near perfect text book teams race with all drivers looking after race leader Tyler Walker for the duration of the race.

The protection of the race leader was so well done that Walker never looked threatened as the Rotorua drivers couldn't get near him and he finished without a scratch on his car.

Race two was more aggressive with both teams using their bumpers but the Stormers again came out on top to record their second victory of the night.

Youth Ministocks and Superstocks also raced on the night in the supporting class roles. Minstock wins went the way of Zen Dodunski, Regan Tyler and Trent James while drivers to carry the chequered flag in the twenty two car Superstock field were Brad Uhlenberg, Logan Sharpe and Hamish Booker.

Sixty odd drivers completed the evening's racing in the ramp demolition derby. After fifteen minutes of crashing, bashing and jumping, Rhys Peacock was the last car left mobile and won the bulk of the prize money.

Stirrer's prizes were awarded to Jeremy Martul and Karl Peacock while Russell Marsh won the Hard Luck prize and Adam Prestney and Steven Hilaire the Best Presented.

The next race meeting at Stratford Speedway is on January 18 and will feature the Independent Wrap New Zealand Minisprint Championship along with the R&S Dreaver Taranaki Saloon champs.