One night, two Wanganui national champions.
The toasts were out for the local boys on Saturday night at Shelter View park as the final round of the 2013 New Zealand Jet Sprint Championships provided both anticipated triumph and a stunning upset.
In the 400 series, Gerry Linklater staked his place as a two-sport national champion with a cool round to make the top five and ensure he could not be caught on the series points table.
That much was expected, but when Group A's four-round winner Sam Newdick had a brain explosion and went the wrong way in the dark rain of the first eliminator of the night, his shock exit left the door ajar for Richard Murray to scoop the national title right from the Hamiltonian.
Veteran Murray kicked that door in needing to finish third he just scrapped in as last qualifier for the final four, making a 52.100 seconds lap when fellow contenders Aussie Paul Gaston and Thames' Bevin Muir pulled 51 second times.
Under enormous pressure, Murray drove the final of his life for a dynamic 50.570 seconds, then watched as Muir smashed into the finishing bay entrance and bounced out of contention while Gaston could not better his top-six finish.
Winning the round and the title, Murray and his brother-in-law navigator Ian Carter were handed the chequered flag to cruise past a delighted loyal home crowd, who showed up in numbers despite the early rain.
"That was the icing on the cake," and emotional Murray said in the pit area, surrounded by wellwishers.
"I do feel sorry for Sam. I had nothing to lose in the final, and it was the perfect run."
Prior to the night Murray had been convinced Newdick would not make a mistake and had contented himself with a best-ever season finish of runner-up.
"That [national title] still hasn't sunk in. What a day.
"Two weeks ago I was looking at retirement."
His thoughts went towards his mother who was at home, as well as his late father who passed away a few years ago.
"I was talking to him today, he would have been here."
The celebrations were calmer in the "White Noize" tent but four-year veteran Linklater wore a smile of no less satisfaction.
Having done the math many times, Linklater knew finishing in the top eight would guarantee the championship and an excellent second-fastest time of 55.855 in that race saw the transaction completed.
Linklater's next contemplation of winning the round was only brief as he was first eliminated in the top five, but had seen third-placed Te Kuiti's Ray Thompson already drop out while son Brett Thompson, series runner-up, could only finish third.
Auckland's Warren Farr won the round with a 54.490 drive in the final but for Linklater the job was already done.
"[Racing in] the dark was right, but the rain was a real curve ball," he said.
"We pretty much knew what we had to do."
Backed by a strong team at Engine Rebuilders Wanganui and navigator Hayden Wilson, Linklater was proud to add another trophy to his wall, alongside the 2007 New Zealand Stockcars title.
He will be back to defend in 2013-14. "I'd love to move classes, but it's an affordability thing," he said.
"This class has gotten so competitive in recent years, so it's good."