Strong Pumas team win shield

THRILLS AND SPILLS: Dan Fromings turns over in this Minisprint race at the Fireworks evening at the Oceanview Speedway on Saturday night.PHOTOS/BEVAN CONLEY

There were explosions a plenty, both on and off the track, at the Supercheap Autos Oceanview Speedway on Saturday night for annual fireworks evening, plus the Wanganui Vulcans defence of the Rees Shield and the Karl Barrett Memorial racing.

Club president Alan Luoni was very pleased with the crowd for one of the club's biggest race nights of the season, and although numbers were slightly down on 2014, that left a little more room for the large family groups to spread themselves out across the embankments.

Wardens did their best in the parking areas, although there are always some car owners who seem to put their vehicles at strange angles, Luoni said.

"I'm pleased with the turnout, good night for it. The crowd was excellent, well behaved."

The Vulcans had claimed the challenge Rees Shield just over 12 months ago, but were missing a few key personnel as a strong Palmerston North Pumas claimed the prize.

Club spokesman Tony Stuart's report said the visitors were simply too good for a brave Vulcans side.

"Brendon Tye led from wire to wire, even after being briefly spun mid-race.

"Someone piled in to Ron Tye early, which might have been a mistake as Tye Snr got mad and spent the rest of the race getting even.

"Kudos to Dion Black for an excellent drive in his first teams race to finish second."

Luoni said the team missed standout diver Dion Mooney, who had been noted out competing in Palmerston North and was on a 21-day stand down.

Likewise, two of the regular Vulcans crew were not available.

"We had new blood, new to teams racing. They did alright.

"The trophy's now gone to Palmy and hopefully they'll do it justice - Wanganui took it on the road and held onto it."

Yet the fireworks could be said to be the biggest drawcard, with a lot of the crowd departing after the illuminating display.

Luoni said the town deservedto have the display, although he was disappointed the speedway covered the full cost without council or Wanganui Events Trust assistance, while still offering cheaper family tickets than their regular race meetings.

"The club this year, we did it on our own.

"It cost us a lot of money, but we've come out just on the right side of the ledger."

In the other action, Stuart said the Supercheap Auto Stockcars again turned on carnage, especially in the first race where more than 30 cars faced the starter.

"Francis Potaka took a massive hit on the start-finish straight when he was turned into the wall then T-boned.

"Bevan Humphrey picked up two wins in his immaculate Tank, although there was suspicion that Ian Barron - sitting in for Dion Mooney - might have won the feature.

"Barron, however, took the Grand Slam officially, so his return from a brief retirement was successful."

The Minisprints event also turned on some fantastic, close racing, Stuart said.

"Dan Fromings in 62S provided the most spectacular action, clipping wheels then rolling right in front of the packed southern embankment.

"Kurt Phillips showed the level of grip in the new track surface, breaking his own lap record with a 14.806s lap in the first race, and Shane Dewar was only a thousandth of a second slower with a best lap of 14.807s.

"Wins were shared between Phillips, Dewar and Warren Riddick.

"The Minisprints are welcome back at Oceanview any time, and maybe next season we could see a Wanganui round in their Oval Superstars tour."

A large field also contested the Burger King Youth Ministocks and other classes.

The next race meeting for the speedway is November 29 for the Charlie Berntsen Trophy and the West Coast Youth Ministocks title.