THRILLING EAST COAST TITLES GO DOWN TO THE WIRE.
The Just Commercial Partworld Saloon title featured some big names with 2NZ Brent McClymont coming out to play. Heat 1 saw him dominate the field on a fast and grippy track surface. Adam Gent 98T from way down in Cromwell was racing at ZM Meeanee for the first time. He drove to a solid 2nd in the heat from 77K Rossco Cresswell 3rd, 82M Paul Managh 4th. Heat 2 would change everything, while going for the big run around the outside of Mudgway McClymont bit the wall hard putting him out. Gent seized his chance to take the win from Cresswell, 29b Steve Martin and the 277B of Ian Mudgway. If the 2nd heat had turned things on it’s head then the 3rd one was going to make the points tighter than a Scotsmans wallet. Martin had come right back to form to hold out the challenge of 82M Managh to the line with Mudgway also coming to grips with the heavy track in 3rd. 18B Mark Hayman also got in on the act to steal 4th leaving the points leader Gent back in 5th with Cresswell 6th. The points were tallied confirming Adam Gent had come, seen and conquered the title from Rossco Cresswell but now we had a 3 way runnoff for the last step on the podium between Mudgway, Martin and Managh. at the green Mudgway led through road bend with Martin hard up his exhaust. As they flew into turn 3 Martin was about to take the big lunge when it looked like he may have had a steering issue sending the 29B into the pit wall. At the restart Mudgway again led this time from Managh who was throwing the kitchen sink at him. The track was heavy and Mudgway was catching the ruts more than once putting him on 2 wheels. Ian held on to bag 3rd overall for the title, a just reward for his tireless efforts to promote the class not only for Meeanee but on his travels also.
TQ’s were racing for the Alexander Electric East Coast title. Both heats 1 and 2 went to the 2 x NZ champion Craig Todd who had his hands full dealing with the 5G of Dylan McGregor. The biggest cheer was reserved for rookie 42B Sam Neil in just his 2nd drive coming home 3rd in the second race in front of 88B Mathews and 2NZ Duane Todd. Heat 3 was all about Duane as he put himself back into a podium position. Craig did what he needed to do to win the title with McGregor again at the sharp end.
With the points added up Craig Todd was the champ from Dylan McGregor and Duane Todd. Rookie Sam Neil had missed the podium by a single point which is why I awarded him the PRO PARTS DRIVER OF THE NIGHT.
Two weeks ago qualifying for the Burger King Ministocks was dominated by the 98B of Max Bayley, tonight would start much the same way. In the new Larsen race car Max obliterated the field to storm to a huge win with consistant lap times under 20 seconds. Aucklands Troy Power was on the gas for 2nd with 36W Jacob Free 3rd. Heat 2 and the hotrod was challenging, 4b Jarrod Lindsay stepped on the peddle to take the win from Bayley, 21A Jason Rowe, 92V Aimee Barnes and 65A Troy Power again at the sharp end. Heat 3 was a cracker. Lindsay and 28B Trent Palamountain were running hard passing and repassing as they battled for supremacy. Bayley had all the work to do from the rear grids but all eyes were on the race upfront. Across the line Lindsay had managed to squeeze in front from Palamountain but crucially Bayley had stormed up to 3rd in front of 58S Bayley Betts and 8H Stefan Roigard. After adding the totals Max Bayley is the new champ from Jarrod Lindsay with Trent Palamountain coming from nowhere to take the 3rd podium place. A great championship and a HB top three, the Ministocks turned it on again.
Mag & Tyre were proud sponsors for the East coast Stockcar title and it turned out to be a classic. Missing in action was Regan O’brien who had put his 16 year old rookie son Kairyn in the hot seat. The youngster stepped up to the plate and looked both fast and in total control. Before the meeting started Stockcar rep Greg Zachan picked the 86B car of Cooke as one to watch and as early as heat 1 he was proved right. Marty Cooke stormed to the win from 115P Grant Hollyman by pipping him on the line. 3rd was 68P Jared Lamb, 4th 27B Joshua Smith, 5th 14B Jemma Palmer and 25B Bryce Cross 6th. Heat 2 and O’brien was leading, that is until Butterbean Bryce Cross got a bumper to him. Cross went on to win from Cooke, Smith, 95B Jason Penn, Iremonger and O’brien. Cooke had everything to gain in the third heat as he started from the back. Demanser and Iremonger who both had a chance of glory were bashing each other around up front. My eyes were on the race screen to see how the points were tallying as Cooke made his way forward. It was tight and at one stage it looked like a runnoff may be needed but then the reds came on giving Cooke a chance to close up. At the restart the final laps sorted the points with Marty Cooke coming home in 6th to take the Title by 1 point from Paul Demanser and a further point back to 3rd place Aaron Iremonger. No longer can I call Marty Mr Consistant, he is now a genuine title contender and champion, well done.
Sidecars were also running for their Memorial races with the 51B bike Kim Johnston/Andrew McNamara winning the Tony Bailey Cup and Troy Devery/Pete Steigenburger taking out the Noel Kippax trophy. It was a stunning ride for Devery who hadn’t been in the saddle for 3 years.
Biggest cheer of the night in the teams Demolition Derby was for Glen Whittington who managed to take a huge roll on pit bend. Funny thing was he did it all on his own and the crowd roared it as he drove away again. The winning team was Caleb Waerea, Sarah Webb, Adam O’sullivan, Clinton Singer and Daniel Glover.
DON’T MISS NEXT WEEK, it’s a big one. Autumn Superstock Nationals, Kuru Cup Stockcars and the finals of the Peter Barry Memorial Teams.
6PM START SEEYA ON THE DARKSIDE, TRACKSIDE.
Mike Wilson