TEAMS TRIPLES AN ACTION PACKED NIGHT
By Daniel Neville
The second meeting of the 2021/22 season at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway on Saturday night featured the Morrow Builders Superstock teams triples that went so well last year, so well in fact that the Stockcars also run a triples competition also that was sponsored by Eightplusonemedia. The teams of 3 from each class were split into 2 qualifying groups for 2 heats each with the top four from each advancing to to a 15 lap winner takes all final.
The Stockcars got things started with a bit of push and shove in group one and the win going to 91r Tony Coxhead. Heat two saw 2 drivers directed to the infield for outside punctures while at the other end it was 7r Keegan Orr who carried the flag at the end.
Group 2 saw Whanganui visitor Kaelin Mooney take the win driving 6v car. Heat two was a different story though as Mooney taken to the wall and damaged along with two red light stoppages for stranded cars. The race win went to local driver 45r Sean Wepa who kept his foot down for the whole race.
The Stockcar final had 544k Dion Henderson on pole but his lead was cut short when spun and got sent infield after being deemed the cause of a red light and 27r Douglas Stanaway took over. Team tactics came into play for the rest of the race. Notable was the fight between 45r Wepa and 91r Coxhead who had a ding dong battle for much of the race. With just 10 cars crossing the finish line at the end and Stanaway the race winner getting the job done for his team that also consisted of 53r Aaron Powell and 45r Sean Wepa.
The Stockcar consolation for the non qualifying teams was run before the final. Lap one saw 15r Kendall Reid get a punt into the wall which was outshone somewhat when 733r Riley McDonald served up 267s Karlin Painter-Dudley big time. The win was taken by Mooney but it didn’t come easy with the 6v coming under attack a few times.
Next up were the Superstocks with group one opening proceedings. 10g Peter Rees took the first win with some fast paced racing from the rest. 10r Alan McRobbie looked to have issued with a lot of engine smoke coming from his car but it eventually it subsided. two went to the 127g of Ethan Rees with a few of the others starting to mix things up before the final.
Group two saw current 1nz Asher Rees come from grid 19 to reel in 3nz Mitch Vickery late in the race for a well earned win. Heat two saw the 1nz take another win but this time from pole position to guarantee his team a place in he final.
The Superstock final was sure to please with Vickery on pole. The 3nz led them away and was protected well by his team mates for much of the race but was left open once and got taken to the wall by a block car with the second place Ethan Rees inheriting a lead he wouldn’t surrender. So it was the trio of 127g Ethan Rees, 10g Peter Rees and 5g Josh Prentice who took the top placing after Vickery was denied going back to back following a strong performance last season.
The Superstock consolation for the non qualifying teams was won by Nelson visitor 95n Alex Hill which made the trip from the South Island worthwhile.
Support races saw the Vintage Stockcars come out for a play on the dirt with a good field of 16. It was great to see the classic cars and drivers out there mixing it up and showing what Stockcars used to be like.
Just the 5 Streetstocks made the grid for their debut appearance of the season with the first up win going to 858r Shane Bracken. Race 2 saw a bit of panel punching and a win for the 12r of Daniel Curran. The third and final race Bracken take his second win from 3 starts as the other 4 played cat and mouse for much of the race.
The next meeting at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway will be Friday December 3rd featuring the Central Auto Dismantlers Fireworks Spectacular along with the Saloons Salute to Jumbo Shakedown along with Superstocks, Stockcars, Streetstocks and Ministocks and racing from 7pm
Full Meeting Results - In PDF Format
Fastest Laps - In PDF Format
Lap Data - ZIP File
Meeting Photos - www.sportsweb.co.nz