By Daniel Neville

The 2022 World Invitation Superstock Champs got underway at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway on Friday night with over 100 drivers fighting for just 20 spots in the finals. The cars were divided into 4 groups with just the top 5 progressing to the finals. Each group had 3 qualifying heats with some fast and furious racing with all the drivers going hard in an effort to make the cut.

Unfortunately as per last year the UK contingent were unable to be there so there were 5 pre-qualifiers and they were 88p Jack Miers (defending champion) 1nzk Asher Rees (NZ and North Island champ) 46w Ethan Levien (2021 Superstocks in Paradise winner) 127g Ethan Rees (Superstock GP champion) and 991c Harley Robb (South Island champion)
 

The Red group got the Superstock action underway with the immaculate 66r of Steve Hampton on pole. Hampton led them away as 2nzJason Long was spat out while many other went to the infield with punctures. 58p Peter Bengston took the win from Hampton and 89r Brodie James third. Heat 2 went to Long in the 2nz from 591p Wayne Hemi with Hampton again in the top 3. Heat 3 was on with the last chance to qualify with Hemi attacked late in the race ruining his chances with Hampton alsocoming to grief mid race. Out front though it was Nelson’s Brett Nicholls in 48n who took the race win.

RED GROUP QUALIFIERS: 58p Peter Bengston22w Richard Gaskin 2nzJason Long 19c Malcolm Ngatai5g Josh Prentice.

Red Group Points

Green group was next with the newLintern car of 581p Jordan Dareoff pole but it was 5w Keegan Levien who got the jump but was slowed mid race and it was 87b Thomas Stanaway who took the win from 26v Kaelin Mooney with Dare home third. Heat 2 was fast mostly clean with the win going to 52p Scott Joblin. Heat 3 went to the Gisborne car 29g James Clarke while the rest battled for last chance points to qualify.

GREEN GROUP QUALIFIERS: 3nz Mitch Vickery 52p Scott Joblin 971c Jayden Ward 26v Kaelin Mooney 722p David Lowe.

Green Group Points

Out the pit gate next was blue group with 9c Sheldon Arapere off pole. It was 34p Rebecca Barr who was a lap 1 victim getting spun and hit hard. Then 99r Shannon Orr went over after a collision with 106r Des Curry.10g Peter Rees took the win from Araperewith 75s Carl Shearer home third. Heat 2 saw a change of fortune for Barr with the car repaired and initially took the win but was relegated and 96w Brad McGee was promoted to first. Heat 3 was action packed bumpers going in a few times and a spectacular incident as 95k Darryl Williams launched himself of the front of 106r Des Curry while 75s Shearerwas the race winner. A run off was needed to determine the last spot in the groupbetween Arapere and 136v Maddie Wise but the pair only made it to the pit gate before stopping for what seemed like an eternity which was deemed against the rules. So after the officials intervened it was Arapere who took the fifth and final qualifying position by virtue of having the highest placing in the heats of the 2 drivers.

BLUE GROUP QUALIFIERS: 10g Peter Rees 75s Carl Shearer 9c Sheldon Arapere 166a Hayden Hart 272m Seth McConchie.

Blue Group Points

The fourth and final group was yellow with 24w Paul Gaskin taking pole but it was 66a Randal Tarrant who got away first and led it all the way. Home second was 94p William Humphries from 557c Darrel Wallace. Heat 2 saw carnage on the first corner and 99m Mark Decke the unlucky one getting tipped over. 144g Tim Ross took the win from 95n Alex Hill. Heat 3 looked to be all 46b Quinn Ryan but a last lap tangle with 571p Jayme Hemi saw him drop well down as Humphries took control and the win. Another run off was needed for yellow group for the last qualifying place with 147k Matt Nielsen outsmarting 62p Adam Joblin in the 4 lap contest.

YELLOW GROUP QUALIFIERS: 94p William Humphries 557c Darrel Wallace 7a Shay Hambling 95n Alex Hill 147k Matt Nielsen.

Yellow Group Points

Also on the night were the first 3 heats for the Sharkys Engineering Ltd Aotearoa Ladies Stockcar Crown featuring 26  of the best in female talent going for gold in the first 3 of their 6 heat championship. Heat 1 went to defending champion 134p Rebecca Barr from 28r Alex Jones. Heat 2 saw Rebecca Barr’s mixed night continue with the 134p drifting off onto the infield. After some biff and bash it was 14b Jemma Holloway who took the win and maximum points. Heat 3 went to 189r Milla Theobald after a good drive with 134p Barr back on track and taking second.

Aotearoa Points

Another promotion on the programme was the Onsite Auto Electrical Ministock Invitation over 3 heats and the junior division opened the meeting with 971r George Crawford the first up winner. Race 2 was won by 118r Joel Steiner with race 3 going the way of 555r Josh Holland.

Ministock Invitation Points

The repercharge to find the final qualifier opens proceedings tomorrow which will take place at 6.30pm with the main event underway from 7pm.

Repecharge Field & Grids

Top 26 & Grids

Tier 2 Field - Could change due to withdrawals

Tier 3 Field - Could change due to withdrawals

Saturday 22-01-22 Pitplan

There will also be the remaining 3 heats for the Aotearoa Ladies Stockcar Crown and well as 2 Stockcar teams races between the Rotorua Rascals and the Palmerston North Pumas.

Media Result Sheet

Fastest Laptimes

Lap Data - zip file

Meeting Photos - www.sportsweb.co.nz