It's a double dose of action this weekend with the 11th staging of the Peter Barry Memorial Stockcar Teams Championship on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th May.
First held in 2010, the event suffered from rain in 2013 and 2018 when the finals night couldn't be completed, and last season Covid managed to beat everyone.
Hawkes Bay's very own two-time winners the mighty Meeanee Maulers start the defense of the title in Friday's qualifying.
| 2022 Teams |
|---|
| Auckland Alleycats |
| Gisborne Gladiators |
| Kihikihi Kings |
| Meeanee Maulers |
| Orange Roughies |
| Palmerston North Pumas |
| Stratford Stormers |
| Waikato Raiders |
| Previous Winners | |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Meeanee Maulers |
| 2020 | Covid cancelled |
| 2019 | Auckland Alleycats |
| 2018 | Not completed |
| 2017 | Rotorua Rascals |
| 2016 | Rotorua Rascals |
| 2015 | Wanganui Vulcans |
| 2014 | Meeanee Maulers |
| 2013 | Not held |
| 2012 | Palmerston North Pumas |
| 2011 | Palmerston North Pumas |
| 2010 | Waikato Raiders |
Stockcar teams is all about strategy, with usually one or two drivers picked to run fast laps with the other two team members blocking and trying to protect the runners.
Only the top five cars across the line score points 1st-100, 2nd-40, 3rd-25, 4th-20, 5th-10 which means it's vital to get your team across the line for the major share of them.
The Maulers recently won the tri-series here at Meeanee with some excellent team work over the Orange Roughies and Gisborne Gladiators, and will most certainly be one of the favorites on qualifying night.
The drivers for the two Hawkes Bay teams are:
| Meeanee Maulers |
|---|
| 16b Brett Loveridge |
| 19b Caleb Ireland |
| 41b Cameron Swift |
| 65b Royden Hynd |
| 91b Zayne Pullan |
| Reserve: Stacey Smith |
| Orange Roughies |
|---|
| 14b Jemma Holloway |
| 46b Brett Kelly |
| 78b Gibson Tout |
| 81b Darren Yaxley |
| 85b Willy Stevenson |
| Reserve: Jordan Adie |
The Ministock kids will also be racing on Friday night to showcase their skills, and i'm sure many of them will be dreaming of competing in a teams event some day.
On Saturday the top four teams will be going head to head in two semi-finals, with the winners progressing to the final. There are no points scored for semi's or finals, as it is all about the first car across the line that wins it for their team. There are no second chances on night two, and the hits are going to be HUGE.
Also racing Saturday will be Superstocks, Stockcar consolations and Streetstocks.
Racing starts at the earlier time of 4pm, admission prices are Adults $25, Children $10 and Family $60.
