History as Rees scoops three stockcar titles

Palmerston North's Peter Rees created history on Saturday at Eastside Auto Recyclers Oceanview Speedway by becoming the first driver to win three New Zealand stockcar titles.
The Foxton-based racecar builder was all class in taking the ScreenPrint Services NZ Stockcar Championship in front of a bumper crowd of over 4500.
Heading in to the final heat, three points adrift of Wellington's Scott McIntosh, Rees was all class as he amazingly made his way from grid 21 to seventh place by the end of lap one. Then, assisted by his clubmates Rob Miers and Jordan Dare, the Palmerston North trio set about eliminating and impairing the opposition to the point that, with half the race gone, Rees had built up a five-point buffer over the competition.
This stayed much the same until the end of the race, with McIntosh in particular coming in for attention. Blenheim's Tim Alexander had also looked likely to be on the podium at one stage before his chances disappeared with a heavy shunt in the notorious southern bend.
When the dust  settled, Rees had won the title ahead of McIntosh and Stratford's Chris Flett - amazingly both in borrowed cars. McIntosh had sold his car earlier in the season and was driving Wanganui-registered Josh Kahui's car while former Wanganui driver Flett had to borrow his clubmate Mark Coxhead's car.
These two had finished level on points, which required a run-off with McIntosh accounting relatively easily for the Stratford man. So for the next 12 months until Blenheim hosts the next title, it will be 1NZP Peter Rees, 2NZW Scott McIntosh and 3NZS Chris Flett.
In the earlier heats, the former 1NZ Richard Gaskin made the perfect start with a victory before breaking a diff in the end heat to extinguish his chances.
Palmerston North's Darrel Wallace was another fancied driver but his evening came to a shuddering halt when he ploughed heavily into stranded clubmate Josh Prentice.
Rees had won the second heat while Rotorua's young Douglas Stanaway claimed the chequered flag in the third. Best local finisher was Gerry Linklater in 12th place overall.
In the Best of the Rest event, Hawkes Bay's Aaron Iremonger and Regan O'Brien claimed the quinella in the one-race final as they and their Meeanee Maulers teammates set about removing the opposition, including Wanganui's Dion Mooney.
Wanganui's Leanne Black claimed the Chef's Choice Production Saloon Championship, overcoming a 20-strong field from around the North Island.