Two nasty crashes marred the opening Speedway meeting of 2010 at Eastland Group Raceway last night.
Wanganui combination Mick Paul and Paul Blinkhorne were the first to strike trouble during the running of the Ireland Motors Trans Tasman Sidecar Series, their bike somersaulting down the track following a collision with another competitor. After a lengthy delay the pair were taken by Ambulance to Hospital, where they were eventually discharged.

Later in the night World Champions Mick Headland and Paul Waters from Australia went backwards into the wall after losing control at the end of the front straight. The pair remain in Hospital the following day, Headland with a broken ankle and Waters a broken leg.

When racing continued fellow Aussies Darrin Treloar and Justin Plaisted impressed with their ability to quickly come to grips with the banked track and went on to take out the opening round of the series.

Earlier in the evening, the Gisborne Gladiators completely outclassed the Kihikihi Crusaders in a very one-sided Stockcar Teams race. Gremlins have been reported as the cause, some unforseen mechanical problems prevented a full attendance of the Kihikihi Team and at least one place was filled by a willing local. We expect to see more of these guys from Kihikihi and believe this match-up is now on the calendar as an annual event.

Among the other classes to perform were the Streetstocks. Never failing to please, these guys did well and weren't just there to make up the numbers. I just hope they get all the gear back together for the Streetstock Champ of Champs on 20th Feb.

(left) Now ya shouldn't call a Streetstock 'cute' but this one is!

The same goes for the Saloons, on the 23rd of this month we have the Saloon Car Champ of Champs. This class can sneak up on you, and for the big events some amazing machinery and drivers come out of the shadows. We don't see enough of visiting Saloon drivers, so this may be your chance to see the top drivers at play.

A good field of Solos turned up. It is a while since we saw a full line up across the start line and we hope to see more of them.
 

The ministocks had a ball, all the noise, courage and bravado of the big guns and doing things with a 1200cc motor that you wouldn't think posible. There is nothing as entertaining as 25 or so ministocks buzzing down the back straight when one of the middle ones goes sideways. These guys would drive round on bent bare rims if they were allowed. Lets hope they stick with speedway and move on up when the time comes, there is so much talent out there and we shouldn't let it go to waste..

Bevan Chapman
05/01/10