By Daniel Neville

The last meeting for 2022 at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway took place on Tuesday December 27^th and it was the McKenzie Crane Hire Teams Night. The weather played it’s part after a couple of annoying rain outs saw meetings cancelled earlier in the season and a decent crowd showed up to witness the action.

On the programme were Ministocks, Streetstocks, Production Saloons and the always popular Superstocks with the latter running open races and a series of inter-club teams races featuring the Rebels blue and red teams as well as one called the Bounty Hunters which was almost entirely made up of the Hunter family who have for years been synonymous with the Rotorua Speedway Club for many years.

Ministocks got the meeting underway with the older more experienced division. A rather dramatic race ensued with a car in the wall, some drivers missing the restart then another twist when the race leader came towards the finish line only to be delayed by slower cars which played into the hands of 88r Cohen Wright who got the win. Race 2 was a little less eventful with 93r Flynn Fraser the first home. The third and final race for the group saw the 93r car win again in the hands of Flynn Fraser.

The Y Ministock group for the younger less experienced drivers was led by 98r Reeve Transom who pulled off a superb passing move late in race one to collect the win. Race 2 was won by 93r Blake Fraser while the last race was running smooth until near the end when 4r Blake Hose got tangled up with a few others and went over before sliding along on his roof then back on all fours. 972r Jimmy Crawford took the win from 64r Riley McKeown.

Streetstocks were up next with a hearty 20 car field on had for race one. There was no mucking about with cars sent in all directions After a while 59r Alan King settled into the lead and was going alright until he entered the last lap where he was unceremoniously spat out onto the infield allowing 72b Darren Melling to come through for the win. Race 2 saw Hawkes Bay win again with 46b Brent Redington leading them home. Race 3 was another Bay benefit with 72b Melling hanging on for the win despite his right rear tyre rubbing on the bodywork for much of the 12 laps.

Streetstock Points

The first of the Superstock teams races was next with the Rebels Red and Bounty Hunters out for battle. On pole was 99r Shannon Orr for the Bounty Hunters but it was 335r Ken Hunter who hit the lead while the rest ripped into each other and he led a charmed life until getting balked by 10r Alan McRobbie in the closing laps allowing late replacement 272m Seth McConchie through to take the win for the Rebels Red team.

The second Superstock teams race was an all Rebels affair featuring Blue vs Red. On pole was 94r Dale Stewart for the blue team and 81r Damian Orr hit the lead first from the rear of the grid but was blocked and 14r AJ Axtens hit the lead before 272m McConchie took over but was struggling with a puncture and he was pipped on the line by Orr who got the win for the blue team by the slimmest of margins.

The third and final Superstock teams race pitted the Bounty Hunters against the Rebels Blue. Pole went to 338r Russell Hunter who hit the front first then 335r Ken Hunter led but some effective blocking by the Rebels let 81r Damian Orr through and he survived an attack from 99r Shannon Orr then was shielded all the way by 94r Dale Stewart to get the win and another teams race victory for the Rebels Blue squad.
 

In addition to the teams races, the Superstocks had 3 open races with 26 cars on the grid for race one. A busy and dusty race 1 went to Hawkes Bay visitor 46b Quinn Ryan. Race 2 saw another good finish for the 46b of Ryan who finished second ahead of club mate 16b Brett Loveridge who run down early leader 38r Ross Ashby for the win. Race 3 went the way of 93m Mark Dunn who guided his recently acquired 6 cylinder powered tri rail car to a win and proved that 6 is enough to win.

The final class on show were the Production Saloons who boasted good numbers for their 3 races. Race one went the way of 14r Wayne Warrender after a good drive. Race 2 was looking good for pole sitter 48h Dave Pilkington but his right front tyre had the final say and let go whilst he was leading which saw 63r Peter Cradock grab the lead and eventually the win. The third and final race was going well until tangle up then a huge punt from behind reduced the field by 3. Things were a bit tidier after that with 14r Warrender picking up from where he left off in race one collecting the win.

Production Saloon Points

The next meeting at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway is annual and always popular TWS World Invitation Superstock Champs featuring over 100 entries and the awaited return of the British contingent who have been missing the last 2 times due to Covid travel restrictions. Qualifying is on January 20^th with finals on Saturday January 21^st from 7pm both nights. Also over those same 2 nights will be the Sharky’s Engineering Ltd Aotearoa Ladies Stockcar Crown featuring all the best female drivers going for gold.

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