Smashing finale awaits visiting drivers

TOP DOG: Peter Rees (right), New Zealand's No1 superstock driver, catches up with Mike Palmer, Bearing Wholesale manager, before Saturday's Wanganui Stockcar and Speedway Club's final meeting for the season on Saturday.PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 080415WCSMSPEEDWAY1

The Wanganui Stockcar and Speedway Club is gearing up for one of its biggest meetings of the year this Saturday to mark the end of the 2014/2015 season.

The meeting will host the West Coast Superstock and Stockcar Championships, the Ray Purdy Memorial for Production Saloons, sidecars and the Heiby Memorial for Youth Ministocks in memory of Craig Heibner, uncle of injured driver Kyle Heibner.

As well, the club will also use the meeting as a fundraiser for young Heibner, who suffered serious head injuries in a race on his home track in February this year.

The talented 21-year-old driver remains in the Laura Fergusson Brain Rehabilitation unit in Christchurch.

Wanganui club committeeman Mick Paul said he had talked to Heibner by telephone last week.

"It's going to be a long recovery, but Kyle seemed okay when I talked to him ...

"Some of the proceeds from this weekend's meeting will go to Kyle, and many of these drivers from out of town have come especially in support of Kyle," Paul said yesterday.

Heibner's father Steve said while Kyle was making a little progress almost daily, it was a frustrating time.

"He has what's called post traumatic amnesia and still can't walk and that frustrates him. But he is slowly making progress and some memory is returning.

"His superstock (15v) will be out there racing on Saturday, with Ant (Boogie) Cooper in the seat. Boogie is Kyle's top crewman and a talented driver in his own right," Steve Heibner said yesterday.

The country's top drivers will be in action at Oceanview Speedway on Saturday, including father and sons Peter, Asher and Ethan Rees from Manawatu.

Peter Rees is the NZ No1 superstock driver while son Asher is No1 in the stockcar division.

It is the first time a father and son have held the two titles in the same season.

The visitors will not have an easy time on the track, with a strong contingent of local drivers ready to stop the invaders.

Kerry Prodjursky and Dion Mooney, in particular, will make it tough for the out-of-towners.

Meanwhile, Peter Rees rocked into town yesterday to prepare for his first outing at Oceanview Speedway this season.

The Manawatu driver is regarded in many circles as Mr Speedway, having built up to 160 superstocks and stockcars over the last decade.

He has strong links with Wanganui through Mike Palmer, manager of Bearing Wholesale.

"Peter sources quite a bit of stuff from us," Palmer said.

While Rees had already been heavily involved in fundraising efforts for Heibner, he was pleased to support the cause again this weekend.

"Yeah, I's done a bit to help fundraise, but I'm happy to be involved again. I've pretty much finished my season, so we decided to bring six cars - three superstocks and three stockcars - to have a crack against the Wanganui guys. Hopefully we can spoil the party on the track," Rees said.

Racing begins at 6pm on Saturday, although if rained off, Sunday (3pm start) has been set aside as a reserve day.