STEVE JUDE MOTORS
NZ Under 25 Superstocks Grand Nationals
IT WAS YOUNG GUN TIME at the OK MEEANEE CORRAL as the up and coming new talent battled for supremecy in the STEVE JUDE MOTORS UNDER 25 SUPERSTOCK GRAND NATIONAL.
On a track surface that would claim a number of victims 41b Jason Long would start from pole in heat 1. The slick nature of turns 1 and 2 would get him instantly as Long spun in front of the field. East Coast champ 87r David Elsworth flew into the lead and was able to open a gap that could not be closed. Behind was a battle for the minor places between 46b Quinn Ryan, 94p William Humphries, 4p chad Ace and 10p Asher Rees. Ace was putting in a strong challenge until having what looked like steering issues for a lap or two and dropping him out of the top 8. Across the line to the flag Elsworth had dominated the heat from 2nd place Humphries, Rees, Westbury and Ryan 5th.
The reverse grid heat 2 was a classic. The top 6 cars were going for it with the added incentive of making top 10 in points for the grid shootout. 94p Humphries was showing his hand with a great drive to win the race but 87r Elsworth was looking dangerous as he again stormed up through the field to bag 2nd across the line. 46b Quinn Ryan was driving smooth and fast with a 3rd place that made him the best of the local drivers over the 2 heats. 4p Chad Ace had a solid run for 4th over Westbury and 71p Shane Melsop top 6.
THE TOP 10 SHOOTOUT was the last chance saloon to move up the grids for the winner takes all 15 lap final. The track was still catching out some of the drivers and suprisingly it seemed to be the ones with the most laps around the place who were victims. The shootout went down to the wire with the 10th driver out on track David Elsworth stealing pole on the last lap. Grid 10 would be Long 22.08, Shearer 19.98, Rees 19.59, Ryan 19.49, Humphries 19.40, Melsop 19.30, Groome 19.09, Westbury 18.68, Ace 18.65 and pole for Elsworth 18.61.
THE FINAL was ready to go off, Elsworth stormed away and never looked like being beaten but behind him was a battle field. All eyes were on Asher Rees and from grid 8 he had a lot on his plate. Time and time again Rees smashed his way past an opponent and was involved in a titanic fight with Humphries and Westbury for the podium placings. Elsworth was not to be denied but who would get the runners up?. Rees was bouncing off anything and everyone as he finally drove through to claim second from the impressive Humphries who had his problems trying to contain Westbury. Well done to the 87r David Elsworth the innaugeral UNDER 25 GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION and thanks again to STEVE JUDE MOTORS for their support of the event, I look forward to next years already.
Also up for grabs last night was the HB STOCKCAR TITLE and this event had an added twist with TQ driver James Tollison debuting in a Stockcar. There’s nothing like pressure to get you going and James would start on pole for heat 1. At the green Tolly was gone and visibly quicker than any other driver off the start, he then procceeded to lead the opening 7 laps for what we thought may be the upset win of the season. it all came unstuck on town bends notoriously slick turn 4 as Tollison spun to lose the lead. 74b Tony Palmer laid out his challenge to take the win from the recovered Tollison, 68p Jared Lamb, 3nz O’brien, 8b Penn and 66b Randal Tarrant.
Heat 2 and the hits were on. Regan O’brien was both receiving and dishing out the punishment while Randal Tarrant was driving for the win. Lamb scored the 2nd from Penn, Palmer, B Tarrant, and 9b Stacey Smith having a great drive.
It was Tony Palmers to lose as he led the points going into the 3rd and final race. Palmer stormed to the front as the hits were going on around him. The king hitters were on a mission and Butterbean Bryce Cross was the one to go over on his lid { what was that about being taken from behind by surprise Bryce? }. Matt Gautrey was stalking victims as we know he does so well and 83b Jeff Hart had a hard hit into pit bend. Jared Lamb 68p was a contender for the title but it seemed that the locals had decided he would not take any silverware home tonight. Lamb would record a DNF and this had a major bearing on the points tally. At the line 74b Tony Palmer had scored the title from 66b Randal Tarrant in 2nd. 3rd place overall was the upset of the season with rookie first night driver 29b James Tollison on the podium in. Tolly got our nod for the PRO PARTS DRIVER of the night $50 voucher and it was well earned.
As always the CARAVAN DERBY was great to watch and I take my hat off to those who clean up the carnage afterwards. 89 Bryce Jensen triumphed and took home the $$$$$$.
Another season done here at ZM Meeanee Speedway and I would like to thank all the sponsors, racers, crews, supporters and especially the fans for hanging in there on what can only be desribed as the worst hit weather season ever.
CAN’T WAIT FOR LABOUR WEEKEND.
Signing off Mike Wilson..