Review of Meeting 5, 28th December 2009
(Bevan Chapman)
Locals Hold On in Tight Title Race
What
was expected to be one of the closest championships of the Speedway
season proved to be just that Monday night December 28 at Eastland
Group Raceway. A 23-strong field took to the track for the opening
heat of the Professional Fleet Maintenance Production Saloon Champs,
a line-up that included half a dozen visiting drivers. And it was
the visitors who largely dominated race one of the championship,
Huntly's Craig Robinson leading all the way to take maximum points
ahead of Jed Miller and impressive Rotorua driver Richard Mahy.
Defending
champ Mike Hall made the most of a front row start to race away
with Race 2, brother Wayne coming from mid pack to finish second.
Mahy however was the races biggest mover, passing more than half
the field on his way to third.
And so after two heats, Wayne
Hall and Mahy were tied on top of the points table, just ahead of
Mike Hall and the ever-consistent Alan Will.
From
the drop of the green in the final 15 lap decider, it was Rotorua's
Mahy who looked to be in the box seat, starting from the front of
the field and then slotting comfortably in behind the lead car of
Fraser Wright for the first half of the race. With only laps to
run the title looked to be heading out of town as Mahy moved into
the lead, before disaster struck for the Paradise Valley competitor,
a blown CV joint taking him out of the race and championship contention.
From there the title was all Wayne Hall's, a second-placed finish
in the final race handing him the overall win by four points from
Alan Will and Mike Hall.
Elsewhere on the track, Frank Hartley took two wins in a large field of Streetstocks, including the feature.
Evan Mooney took advantage of the Gladiators being on Teams racing duty in Wellington to claim a win in the Stockcars, Toby Pickering taking out the feature race.
Hawkes Bay competitor Craig Todd dominated the TQ Midgets first appearance of the season, heading off local Dylan McGregor in all three races.
Roger
Corrin claimed a win in his new Saloon Car, the Saloon feature going
to David Moorcroft.
And Daniel Corrin claimed yet another Ministock feature win.
Racing continues on the big banked track this Monday night January 4, International Sidecars and a Stockcar Teams race making up what promises to be an action-packed start to 2010.
Bevan Chapman
29/12/09
Eastland Group Raceway
Preview of Meeting 05, Professional
Fleet Maintenance Production Saloon Champs
Dec 23 2009
(by
Bevan Chapman)
What
is almost certain to be one of the closest fought championships
of the Speedway season is set to be decided this Monday night December
28th at Eastland Group Raceway. More than 20 cars, including a number
of visitors, will line up for the Professional Fleet Maintenance
Production Saloon Champs. Mike and Wayne Hall lead the long list
of likely title contenders, defending champ Mike fresh from his
recent win at the Waikato Production Saloon Champs. Other locals
to show good pace so far this season include Jed Miller in his Mitsubishi
FTO and newcomer Fraser Wright, who has really impressed in the
car of former frontrunner Daniel Cook. Alan Will and Crystal Gooch
are also capable of challenging for the title. Of the out-of-towners,
Rotorua racers Richard Mahy and David Campbell will be two to keep
a close eye on, both real contenders.
Left, Mike (88G) & Wayne (99G) Hall have a shot..
Above,
last year's show by the MotorCross guys was an introduction to the
banked track for them.
Let's see what they can do with it this
time..
This last meeting before the New Year will also feature the return of the Gisborne Motorcycle Club to the big banked track, after a favourable debut appearance last season. Sam Spencer led the pack on that occasion, and he’ll be back along with around a dozen motocross riders, while visitors from Hawkes Bay and Rotorua are expected for the Quad Bike races.
Also
on Monday night’s programme, TQ Midgets, making their first appearance
this season along with Saloons, Ministocks, Stockcars, and what’s
expected to be a good field of Streetstocks.
Remember, gates open at 6:00pm, racing from the
usual time of 7pm.
Be there early to claim your seat.
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