Post by Nigel on Jan 27, 2012 10:43:45 GMT 12
1500kg's of metal....600hp V8s!!! Love the combination?? because this coming weekend Superstocks will roar into life at Huntly Placemakers Speedway when they host the TWS NZ Superstock Championships. After the close off date a total of 83 entrants will do battle on the Huntly clay to see who will rule supreme and who will became the new NZ Superstock champion. It may became a lottery to who will top the charts after the 3rd heat come Saturday night,,, BUT they will have to qualify first if they want to have a shot at the big one. With the groups being finalised already why don't we flank the country from the top of the North to the bottom of the South and look at all the ingredients that will make the TWS NZ Superstock Championships an event not to be missed.
Auckland:
After initially retiring last season 351A Paul Vazey will make a return to the track after the car initially being on the market for sale. Paul has had winning experience at Huntly whilst 73A Bryce Marx has always been there or thereabouts whenever he has raced at Huntly. 89A Bernie Fox has turned laps at Huntly in a Stockcar, but the Superstock may prove a different experience for the current 2nz Stockcar driver.
Huntly:
If there are any drivers that know the Huntly clay the best then it is none other than the locals, Auckland based, ex Auckland All Star, 16H Aaron Headington has set the benchmark at most Huntly meets to date including winning the Waikato Champs back in December. Most will remember last time when Huntly held the NZ Champs back in 1999 23H Lance Ashton and 71H Tony Wootton both entered in their Stockcars but this time it will be the other way around. Ashton has looked the goods lately qualifying for the recent World 240s whilst Wootton has yet to see turn a wheel this season. Wootton is known for being a hitter and most will also remember when he rolled Peter Rees at Speedfest 2011. 8H Dave Roigard is a veteran of the Superstock class at Huntly and will yet again make another NZ champs appearance pedaling the 28K Superstock of Grant Mytton . 62H Dayne Condor and 73H Karl Ross have also shown exceptional performances this season but bad luck struck Ross at the North Island Champs in Wellington recently in qualifying, home track advantage may give him better luck this time around. Karl turned heads last year when he qualified at Rotorua at this event whilst 6H Kerry Remnant has contracted back to Huntly and has already notched up a win at Kihikihi last weekend. Longtime racer 28H Glen Drabble has always been quick on the Huntly clay and has posted a lot of great results over the years, but can he break the hoodoo and post a good result for the locals. 115H Darren Short has come on song this season and performed well at the Waikato Champs and World 240s recently and 414H Warwick Ansty, who is widely known as a hard hitter, has been producing the goods this season as well notching a few wins earlier this season, 7H Stephan Wallbank, 15H Karl Pegg, 33H Dean Corbett and 55H Alan Van De Ven have plenty to prove but can the locals stick together to keep the title at home?? their supporters will have to ring those cowbells loud and clear to hopefully cheer one of their hopefuls to victory lane.
Rotorua:
Rotorua are one of the strongholds of Superstock racing in NZ, and the Sulphur city supporters will have their hopes pinned on a strong 135R Scott Hewson who has been quick from the very first lap he turned back in November. The 2010 Waikato Champ has already notched up a win at Huntly at the King of the Dirt event for Superstocks where 118R Bryce Steiner who has a tonne of track experience at Huntly blitzing a quality field to win that event. 16R Mark Osborne and 92R Kyle Fraser have both traveled to Huntly over the years with the former gaining second at Speedfest 2009 and the latter also gaining second at Speedfest 2008. 5R Lawrence Christini, 7R Kyle Stove, 9R Anthony Brown, 33R Robbie Maybe and 11R Gary Ellis have all graced the Huntly clay in recent years. 87R David Elsworth and 37R Ken Hunter have never set foot at Huntly before, but if the recent form that Elsworth has been showing is anything to go by then he will be one to watch. One who is familiar with Huntly is 91R SJ Cavell, the ex Meeanee racer has a new Top Gear chassis and Huntly was also the track where he picked up his first ever win in a Superstock. 38R Scott Redfern has made a return in the Ashby tank and really showed everyone how a tank should be driven at the recent World 240s barging his way through the repercharge to make the finals. The 2008 Waikato Champ knows the Huntly track very well. 99R Mark Decke will make yet another NZ champs appearance and will hopefully be a finalist this time after losing a run-off during qualifying to 46N Blair Cunningham at last year’s event in Rotorua.
Kihikihi:
5K Brad Ridland has been keeping the Superstock class booming at Kihikihi and flies the K flag single handed everywhere he races. Brad had a few wins at the Waikaraka Park Opener back in October and is looking to continue that form at Huntly this weekend. 23K Rick Taylor has just finished rebuilding the ex-Remnant Gordge Hot Rod but has lacked track time lately. Although Rick is not very familiar with Huntly, his car is very familiar whilst it was in the hands of the capable Kerry Remnant. Palmerston North driver Graeme Ward will skid the 6K Superstock this weekend while 66K Connor Garret will make his NZ Champs debut in the Toyota powered Rees chassis.
Meeanee:
10B Sam Bartholomew has been a steady performer back at Meeanee this season, meanwhile the 41B of Jason Long has turned heads both last year and this year especially at the North Island Champs, Jason was impressively quick and posted respectable lap times at the event. 16B Steve Jude has also been very impressive in the Silver Bullet, this car continues to honk along but will it honk at Huntly? Sadly this car failed to see the checkered flag at the NZ champs at Huntly back in 1999 in the very first qualifying heat when ex pilot Tony McLanachan was at the helm. 66B Tony Meechan purchased the ex-Hampton bullet at the conclusion of last season and has improved immensely this season. 4B Joe Faram has made a storming comeback from injury which he attained at last year’s NZ championships to be a strong contender heading into this weekend’s event. Joe was at Huntly back in November at the King of the Dirt event and notched up two impressive wins against a quality field although he couldn't knock Bryce Steiner off his perch. Joe was also very quick at the recent World 240s and Global 248s events but bad luck struck him at Palmerston North no thanks to 57P Dave Tarrant. Most will also remember at the NZs last held at Huntly when Faram was in the running for the title but was sadly attacked in the closing stages to the race allowing 7N Craig Boote to storm to the checker. 37B Gary Foley has been a strong driver at Meeanee over the recent years and did very well in the Superstock in Paradise event that ran in conjunction with the World 240s.
Palmerston North:
Palmerston North will have the strongest contingent this weekend and they continue to dominate most National championships held all over the country. 71P Shane Melsop was an ex-Meeanee racer but has now registered to Palmy. 79P Kerry Humphrey has been quick since he graduated from the Stockcar class but the Humphrey name doesn't stop there... 54P Bean Humphrey has been here before as well gaining 2NZ back at Kihikihi in 2010. 98P Craig Humphries has been widely regarded as a hitter in Superstock Teams Racing, he did however influence the result at this event back at Dunedin back in 2007 when he eliminated Stan Hickey and hindered Scott Redfern’s chances to help the Palmy Army take the title. 2NZ Scott Joblin hasn't had the best of luck lately but his speed will never be discounted as he looks at bettering his current placing and hopefully nail the #1 this time. His brother 72P Simon Joblin has been struck with the monkey on his back this season as well and is also looking to better his chances whilst 62P Adam Joblin has made significant improvements to his foray in Superstock racing. But can they work together after last year’s efforts when both Scott and Simon were hindered by the Nelson contingent. 591P Wayne Hemi has been turning the Superstock world upside down with his new Vendetta recently, gaining attention almost immediately from fans as soon as it arrives track side. Wayne has shown a lot of pace in the new Red Waka and yet has plenty of potential, but will this make him an obvious target? Wayne knows the Huntly track well gaining wins at the 1999 event and also at Speedfest last season in the old Red Waka... which will be incidentally pedaled by Jared Wade, Jared now campaigning a Midget out of Western Springs will make a return to his old stomping ground Huntly. Jared knows this track well then most of his opponents that are competing here this weekend but he will be under the P banner this time... yes there will be no H next to the 859 this weekend. 3NZ Peter Rees will be looking to go one better this time at Huntly, most will remember his last visit wasn't pleasant when he was rolled by Tony Wootton at Speedfest 2011. Will the tables turn this time? Wootton is in his group. or will Rees decide to try and qualify instead... regarded as one of the best hitters Rees has the potential to give the bash and still qualify as well. 58P Peter Bengston has been on good form recently gaining third at the World 240's, his new Gordge has given him a boost of confidence on the track gaining good results at the Gold Cup and Global 248s. 88P Jack Miers who will be pedaling the ex-Dolly Gordge of Stan Hickey adapted well to the new car at the World 240s and will now head into this weekend with a potential winning machine. The car holds the lap record at Huntly at 16.0sec and was achieved at the helm of Stan Hickey back in 2008. While his father 8P Scott Miers will make yet another NZ Champs appearance in the tank. Scott has influenced the final result at a lot of National titles in recent years but can he pedal the tank to victory? The car is very familiar with the Huntly surface when it was pedaled by Jared Wade before he moved to Midget racing. Will 7P Shane Penn ever shake the monkey that has been on his back forever you could say? Shane has come so close over the years to getting that #1 planted on his car. His closest being this event being held at Waikaraka Park back in 2006 when he was comfortably placed in the final heat only to be spun by eventual winner Darcy Hunter. Although all is not lost for Shane as his last visit to Huntly proved victorious when he won the North Island Champs that was held at Huntly back in 2003. Shane will head into this weekend as a top contender after blitzing the entire field at the recent Global 248s. Current World 240s champ 31P Andy McCabe has also influenced the final result at this event as well. Most will remember his exploits at Kihikihi in 2010 when he eliminated a few contenders in the final heat. 32P Graeme Barr has shown exceptional performances over recent years to also be a top contender heading into this weekend.
Stratford:
Stratford’s chances will be left in the hands of 282S Phil Ogle, Phil has been representing Stratty across the country and follows the same vain as Brad Ridland in also single handedly flying the S flag proudly. Phil has been at Huntly on numerous occasions and on those occasions Phil is has been on the podium as well gaining third at Speedfest 2009 and third at the 2010 Waikato champs. 39S Michael Willemson has been a steady performer with 82S Paul Johnson. Johnson will be remembered for when he teams raced with the Waikato Wanderers back in 2004, 2005 and 2006. 99S Callan Hose was an ex-Rotorua racer but has now registered with Stratford.
Wanganui:
Just the sole entrant of 5V Darryl Taylor, Darryl once again follows the similar vein of Ridland and Ogle in representing Wanganui, Darryl is a regular visitor to Huntly for Speedfest and should know the Huntly track well. Although a sole entrant at most National titles... Darryl often qualifies and puts on an exceptional performance considering.
Wellington:
The windy city supporters will be counting on 89W Dale Robertson to put on a gutsy performance to hopefully gust himself into victory lane. Dale has been performing well in the V6 powered Gordge and he put on a magnificent hitting display recently at the North Island champs destroying most of the top contenders. But like other contenders mentioned above, Dale’s last visit to Huntly wasn't pleasant as he locked horns with Tony Wootton and Glen Drabble but Dale did have the last laugh nailing Glen Drabble at the recent North Island Champs. 52W Paul Fairbrother and 89W Alan Levien are both well known names within the Stockcar ranks but they will be both pedaling brand new T-Mac chassis this weekend.
Nelson:
Home of three time national champ 7N Craig Boote, much like Wayne Hemi. Craig has also been turning the Superstock world upside down with his new Gordge as well but most will be asking...can he make it title number four?... He was victorious at Huntly in 1999 when he blitzed the field and was the only Southerner in the final 26... and... Huntly will be the track he will return to where he was last victorious. Craig attended the King of the Dirt event at Huntly back in November and performed solidly. Current 1NZ and defending champ Dale Ewers has been a bit quiet this season but that's not to say he can’t defend his title at Huntly, his track mates know how to work together as a team and they aided Ewers into gaining the 1NZ at Rotorua last year. Dale has been to Huntly numerous times and has bagged a win at the Celebrity Classic that featured Tiger Woods. Although his Speedfest visit last season was hindered by a rampaging Glen Drabble when Glen opted to stop Dale on a few occasions. 5N Nick Fowler will make a return to the NZ champs after a few years absent. But the car he will pedaling holds a bit of history about Huntly... yes it was the ex Boote car that Boote won this event in back in 1999. 18N Shane Harwood is another strong contender and he can be confident about heading to Huntly this weekend as he gained a third at Speedfest 2009. 87N Thomas Stanaway and 48N Brett Nicholls have both put together strong performances this season with the former also attending the King of the Dirt event back in November with Boote.
Christchurch:
Just the Ngatai brothers will make the event for Christchurch this weekend. But don't let them fool you... they are both capable of holding their own on track as well as holding their own in helping their community of Christchurch rise from the troublesome earthquakes that the city has suffered.. it will only make the boys angrier and hungrier to bring the title back to Christchurch to give them something to cheer about! 19C Malcolm Ngatai will no doubt give it all he has got, he has been in excellent form recently and can’t be discounted on getting a good result at Huntly. He knows the track just as much as some of the Northerners; he is a two-time Speedfest winner at Huntly winning in 2008 and 2011. He came oh so close to defending his NZ title at Kihikihi back in 2010 only to have Andy McCabe step in to deliver an earthquake of his own. Whilst 55C Matt Ngatai is a solid driver who has the capabilities to make the finals.
Well there we have it folks... a full run down of the ingredients that will no doubt brew together to produce an awesome display of Superstock racing. Who will win? Who will take who out? Who will support who?? All these questions will be answered this weekend, so get your back side, track side and support your favourite driver... May the best man win!!!!
Ammaron Apere Broadhurst
(The Huntly Flagman)
Auckland:
After initially retiring last season 351A Paul Vazey will make a return to the track after the car initially being on the market for sale. Paul has had winning experience at Huntly whilst 73A Bryce Marx has always been there or thereabouts whenever he has raced at Huntly. 89A Bernie Fox has turned laps at Huntly in a Stockcar, but the Superstock may prove a different experience for the current 2nz Stockcar driver.
Huntly:
If there are any drivers that know the Huntly clay the best then it is none other than the locals, Auckland based, ex Auckland All Star, 16H Aaron Headington has set the benchmark at most Huntly meets to date including winning the Waikato Champs back in December. Most will remember last time when Huntly held the NZ Champs back in 1999 23H Lance Ashton and 71H Tony Wootton both entered in their Stockcars but this time it will be the other way around. Ashton has looked the goods lately qualifying for the recent World 240s whilst Wootton has yet to see turn a wheel this season. Wootton is known for being a hitter and most will also remember when he rolled Peter Rees at Speedfest 2011. 8H Dave Roigard is a veteran of the Superstock class at Huntly and will yet again make another NZ champs appearance pedaling the 28K Superstock of Grant Mytton . 62H Dayne Condor and 73H Karl Ross have also shown exceptional performances this season but bad luck struck Ross at the North Island Champs in Wellington recently in qualifying, home track advantage may give him better luck this time around. Karl turned heads last year when he qualified at Rotorua at this event whilst 6H Kerry Remnant has contracted back to Huntly and has already notched up a win at Kihikihi last weekend. Longtime racer 28H Glen Drabble has always been quick on the Huntly clay and has posted a lot of great results over the years, but can he break the hoodoo and post a good result for the locals. 115H Darren Short has come on song this season and performed well at the Waikato Champs and World 240s recently and 414H Warwick Ansty, who is widely known as a hard hitter, has been producing the goods this season as well notching a few wins earlier this season, 7H Stephan Wallbank, 15H Karl Pegg, 33H Dean Corbett and 55H Alan Van De Ven have plenty to prove but can the locals stick together to keep the title at home?? their supporters will have to ring those cowbells loud and clear to hopefully cheer one of their hopefuls to victory lane.
Rotorua:
Rotorua are one of the strongholds of Superstock racing in NZ, and the Sulphur city supporters will have their hopes pinned on a strong 135R Scott Hewson who has been quick from the very first lap he turned back in November. The 2010 Waikato Champ has already notched up a win at Huntly at the King of the Dirt event for Superstocks where 118R Bryce Steiner who has a tonne of track experience at Huntly blitzing a quality field to win that event. 16R Mark Osborne and 92R Kyle Fraser have both traveled to Huntly over the years with the former gaining second at Speedfest 2009 and the latter also gaining second at Speedfest 2008. 5R Lawrence Christini, 7R Kyle Stove, 9R Anthony Brown, 33R Robbie Maybe and 11R Gary Ellis have all graced the Huntly clay in recent years. 87R David Elsworth and 37R Ken Hunter have never set foot at Huntly before, but if the recent form that Elsworth has been showing is anything to go by then he will be one to watch. One who is familiar with Huntly is 91R SJ Cavell, the ex Meeanee racer has a new Top Gear chassis and Huntly was also the track where he picked up his first ever win in a Superstock. 38R Scott Redfern has made a return in the Ashby tank and really showed everyone how a tank should be driven at the recent World 240s barging his way through the repercharge to make the finals. The 2008 Waikato Champ knows the Huntly track very well. 99R Mark Decke will make yet another NZ champs appearance and will hopefully be a finalist this time after losing a run-off during qualifying to 46N Blair Cunningham at last year’s event in Rotorua.
Kihikihi:
5K Brad Ridland has been keeping the Superstock class booming at Kihikihi and flies the K flag single handed everywhere he races. Brad had a few wins at the Waikaraka Park Opener back in October and is looking to continue that form at Huntly this weekend. 23K Rick Taylor has just finished rebuilding the ex-Remnant Gordge Hot Rod but has lacked track time lately. Although Rick is not very familiar with Huntly, his car is very familiar whilst it was in the hands of the capable Kerry Remnant. Palmerston North driver Graeme Ward will skid the 6K Superstock this weekend while 66K Connor Garret will make his NZ Champs debut in the Toyota powered Rees chassis.
Meeanee:
10B Sam Bartholomew has been a steady performer back at Meeanee this season, meanwhile the 41B of Jason Long has turned heads both last year and this year especially at the North Island Champs, Jason was impressively quick and posted respectable lap times at the event. 16B Steve Jude has also been very impressive in the Silver Bullet, this car continues to honk along but will it honk at Huntly? Sadly this car failed to see the checkered flag at the NZ champs at Huntly back in 1999 in the very first qualifying heat when ex pilot Tony McLanachan was at the helm. 66B Tony Meechan purchased the ex-Hampton bullet at the conclusion of last season and has improved immensely this season. 4B Joe Faram has made a storming comeback from injury which he attained at last year’s NZ championships to be a strong contender heading into this weekend’s event. Joe was at Huntly back in November at the King of the Dirt event and notched up two impressive wins against a quality field although he couldn't knock Bryce Steiner off his perch. Joe was also very quick at the recent World 240s and Global 248s events but bad luck struck him at Palmerston North no thanks to 57P Dave Tarrant. Most will also remember at the NZs last held at Huntly when Faram was in the running for the title but was sadly attacked in the closing stages to the race allowing 7N Craig Boote to storm to the checker. 37B Gary Foley has been a strong driver at Meeanee over the recent years and did very well in the Superstock in Paradise event that ran in conjunction with the World 240s.
Palmerston North:
Palmerston North will have the strongest contingent this weekend and they continue to dominate most National championships held all over the country. 71P Shane Melsop was an ex-Meeanee racer but has now registered to Palmy. 79P Kerry Humphrey has been quick since he graduated from the Stockcar class but the Humphrey name doesn't stop there... 54P Bean Humphrey has been here before as well gaining 2NZ back at Kihikihi in 2010. 98P Craig Humphries has been widely regarded as a hitter in Superstock Teams Racing, he did however influence the result at this event back at Dunedin back in 2007 when he eliminated Stan Hickey and hindered Scott Redfern’s chances to help the Palmy Army take the title. 2NZ Scott Joblin hasn't had the best of luck lately but his speed will never be discounted as he looks at bettering his current placing and hopefully nail the #1 this time. His brother 72P Simon Joblin has been struck with the monkey on his back this season as well and is also looking to better his chances whilst 62P Adam Joblin has made significant improvements to his foray in Superstock racing. But can they work together after last year’s efforts when both Scott and Simon were hindered by the Nelson contingent. 591P Wayne Hemi has been turning the Superstock world upside down with his new Vendetta recently, gaining attention almost immediately from fans as soon as it arrives track side. Wayne has shown a lot of pace in the new Red Waka and yet has plenty of potential, but will this make him an obvious target? Wayne knows the Huntly track well gaining wins at the 1999 event and also at Speedfest last season in the old Red Waka... which will be incidentally pedaled by Jared Wade, Jared now campaigning a Midget out of Western Springs will make a return to his old stomping ground Huntly. Jared knows this track well then most of his opponents that are competing here this weekend but he will be under the P banner this time... yes there will be no H next to the 859 this weekend. 3NZ Peter Rees will be looking to go one better this time at Huntly, most will remember his last visit wasn't pleasant when he was rolled by Tony Wootton at Speedfest 2011. Will the tables turn this time? Wootton is in his group. or will Rees decide to try and qualify instead... regarded as one of the best hitters Rees has the potential to give the bash and still qualify as well. 58P Peter Bengston has been on good form recently gaining third at the World 240's, his new Gordge has given him a boost of confidence on the track gaining good results at the Gold Cup and Global 248s. 88P Jack Miers who will be pedaling the ex-Dolly Gordge of Stan Hickey adapted well to the new car at the World 240s and will now head into this weekend with a potential winning machine. The car holds the lap record at Huntly at 16.0sec and was achieved at the helm of Stan Hickey back in 2008. While his father 8P Scott Miers will make yet another NZ Champs appearance in the tank. Scott has influenced the final result at a lot of National titles in recent years but can he pedal the tank to victory? The car is very familiar with the Huntly surface when it was pedaled by Jared Wade before he moved to Midget racing. Will 7P Shane Penn ever shake the monkey that has been on his back forever you could say? Shane has come so close over the years to getting that #1 planted on his car. His closest being this event being held at Waikaraka Park back in 2006 when he was comfortably placed in the final heat only to be spun by eventual winner Darcy Hunter. Although all is not lost for Shane as his last visit to Huntly proved victorious when he won the North Island Champs that was held at Huntly back in 2003. Shane will head into this weekend as a top contender after blitzing the entire field at the recent Global 248s. Current World 240s champ 31P Andy McCabe has also influenced the final result at this event as well. Most will remember his exploits at Kihikihi in 2010 when he eliminated a few contenders in the final heat. 32P Graeme Barr has shown exceptional performances over recent years to also be a top contender heading into this weekend.
Stratford:
Stratford’s chances will be left in the hands of 282S Phil Ogle, Phil has been representing Stratty across the country and follows the same vain as Brad Ridland in also single handedly flying the S flag proudly. Phil has been at Huntly on numerous occasions and on those occasions Phil is has been on the podium as well gaining third at Speedfest 2009 and third at the 2010 Waikato champs. 39S Michael Willemson has been a steady performer with 82S Paul Johnson. Johnson will be remembered for when he teams raced with the Waikato Wanderers back in 2004, 2005 and 2006. 99S Callan Hose was an ex-Rotorua racer but has now registered with Stratford.
Wanganui:
Just the sole entrant of 5V Darryl Taylor, Darryl once again follows the similar vein of Ridland and Ogle in representing Wanganui, Darryl is a regular visitor to Huntly for Speedfest and should know the Huntly track well. Although a sole entrant at most National titles... Darryl often qualifies and puts on an exceptional performance considering.
Wellington:
The windy city supporters will be counting on 89W Dale Robertson to put on a gutsy performance to hopefully gust himself into victory lane. Dale has been performing well in the V6 powered Gordge and he put on a magnificent hitting display recently at the North Island champs destroying most of the top contenders. But like other contenders mentioned above, Dale’s last visit to Huntly wasn't pleasant as he locked horns with Tony Wootton and Glen Drabble but Dale did have the last laugh nailing Glen Drabble at the recent North Island Champs. 52W Paul Fairbrother and 89W Alan Levien are both well known names within the Stockcar ranks but they will be both pedaling brand new T-Mac chassis this weekend.
Nelson:
Home of three time national champ 7N Craig Boote, much like Wayne Hemi. Craig has also been turning the Superstock world upside down with his new Gordge as well but most will be asking...can he make it title number four?... He was victorious at Huntly in 1999 when he blitzed the field and was the only Southerner in the final 26... and... Huntly will be the track he will return to where he was last victorious. Craig attended the King of the Dirt event at Huntly back in November and performed solidly. Current 1NZ and defending champ Dale Ewers has been a bit quiet this season but that's not to say he can’t defend his title at Huntly, his track mates know how to work together as a team and they aided Ewers into gaining the 1NZ at Rotorua last year. Dale has been to Huntly numerous times and has bagged a win at the Celebrity Classic that featured Tiger Woods. Although his Speedfest visit last season was hindered by a rampaging Glen Drabble when Glen opted to stop Dale on a few occasions. 5N Nick Fowler will make a return to the NZ champs after a few years absent. But the car he will pedaling holds a bit of history about Huntly... yes it was the ex Boote car that Boote won this event in back in 1999. 18N Shane Harwood is another strong contender and he can be confident about heading to Huntly this weekend as he gained a third at Speedfest 2009. 87N Thomas Stanaway and 48N Brett Nicholls have both put together strong performances this season with the former also attending the King of the Dirt event back in November with Boote.
Christchurch:
Just the Ngatai brothers will make the event for Christchurch this weekend. But don't let them fool you... they are both capable of holding their own on track as well as holding their own in helping their community of Christchurch rise from the troublesome earthquakes that the city has suffered.. it will only make the boys angrier and hungrier to bring the title back to Christchurch to give them something to cheer about! 19C Malcolm Ngatai will no doubt give it all he has got, he has been in excellent form recently and can’t be discounted on getting a good result at Huntly. He knows the track just as much as some of the Northerners; he is a two-time Speedfest winner at Huntly winning in 2008 and 2011. He came oh so close to defending his NZ title at Kihikihi back in 2010 only to have Andy McCabe step in to deliver an earthquake of his own. Whilst 55C Matt Ngatai is a solid driver who has the capabilities to make the finals.
Well there we have it folks... a full run down of the ingredients that will no doubt brew together to produce an awesome display of Superstock racing. Who will win? Who will take who out? Who will support who?? All these questions will be answered this weekend, so get your back side, track side and support your favourite driver... May the best man win!!!!
Ammaron Apere Broadhurst
(The Huntly Flagman)
