Street Sprint race thrills comes to Stratford

There will be big thrills, high speeds, and hopefully no spills when the competitors of the Westend Hire Stratford Street Sprints race into town.

Hosted by the South Taranaki Car Club, the Westend Hire Stratford Street Sprints will be celebrating it's 25th event on Sunday morning.

Organiser Helen Cameron says entries have been flooding in from members of clubs throughout the country. "The Street Sprints event always draws in competitors from all over and we are hoping to bring in a big crowd of spectators to cheer them along this year as well."

Competitors this year already include popular drivers Philip Macey, Rowan Price and Scott Harland says Helen. Proving it isn't just a sport for boys, female drivers Jackie Hawker and Larni Nicholas are also signed up to compete and classic car enthusiasts will be pleases to see Graeme Kempton and Dave Crompton out on the track.

The event sees modified cars completing two timed laps of a course through Stratford. Helen explains that one lap is a stationary start with the second being a flying start and, as per MotorSport New Zealand rules, no straight is longer than 200m. "There are also chicanes on the track, creating obstacles for the drivers to get around."

Helen says this year's event will be particularly exciting with current record holder Glenn Smith not attending, "there will be a lot of competitors determined to break his record". Glenn's record of 125.41 seconds has stood since 2010 and while many have tried, Helen says it is a hard time to beat.

Spectators will also have a chance to see a drifting demonstration which includes D1NZ and pro am driver Chad McKenzie in his R32 Skyline with a Toyota 2JZ motor. "Chad will be driving as a D1NZ pro next year. We are all very excited to see this car in action, to have the number one drift driver in NZ in Stratford is a real Bonus."

There will also be a motorcycle demonstration, with up to ten motorcycles provided by Club X in Stratford.

Helen says the event will have something for everyone and as spectator entry is only a gold coin donation, "why would you want to miss out?"

Stratford High School's mens and womens hockey teams will also be on site during the event selling refreshments as a fundraiser for their upcoming tournaments. The Westend Hire Stratford Street Sprints will be held in rain or shine around the block of Orlando Street, Warwick Road, Cordelia Street and Romeo Street on Sunday, August 16 from 10am.

For more info search South Taranaki Car Club on Facebook.