Ramsay family dominates sidecars
Father-and-son sidecar team Derek and Aaron Ramsay again proved they’ll be a major threat come national championship time, dominating a classy field to win the Manawatu title at the Arena this week
Palmerston North’s experienced Derek Ramsay has had his son Aaron swinging for the last two seasons and after a recent lapse in form they are back to their best as they convincingly won each of the three final heats at the Robertson Holden Speedway.
Winning the tight five bike start in each of the three races proved conclusive as second-placed Aucklanders Jamie Moohan and Jacob Cooper (3NZ) were unable to get within 50 metres of them in any of the races.
The Moohan-cooper combination finished second in each race with the third place trophy going to Palmerston North’s Josh Lambert and Mikey O’neill narrowly ahead of one of the prechampionship favourites John Hannan and Bryce Rose (Wanganui).
The second of six rounds in the Valvoline Saloon Car series went to Mount Maunganui’s Chris Cowling who narrowly headed home Stratford star Craig Korff with Stratford brothers Daniel and Mark Hinton next in an entertaining 20-lap feature that ended after just 17 laps.
After a faultless first 12 laps two incidents dampened the feature.
After a crash there was mayhem when the drivers appeared to have no idea what was going on as green flags were waved for drivers to race and some didn’t realise the race was restarting, but after three false starts, cars finally got underway.
Four laps later a crash involving everyone but the front two when a slow car pulled out in front of 10 cars chasing a top finish ended the race.
Blenheim’s Paddy North provided the biggest crash of the night when he went sideways down the straight and did a spectacular triple barrel before coming to rest back on his wheels.
It’s been a long time between wins for 1998 World 240 champion Tony Whittaker who won his first superstock race in 10 years winning the feature after finishing third in the previous race.
Driving the former Peter Rees tank, Whittaker has plenty of pace and admitted he’s got a bit of confidence ahead of the New Zealand Championships next week.
Other superstock races went to Jack Miers, who had his first win in the new Kelvin Gray car just ahead of Scott Joblin who has a new engine in his car. Simon Joblin won the opening race ahead of 2NZ Jason Long and Wanganui’s Kerry Podjursky.
Eight of the 15 starters finished New Zealand’s first double-decker derby race.
Aaron Blackley was a clear winner though most interest surrounded each of the rolled cars.
A huge field of 50 Youth Ministocks from right around the country had to be split into two groups on a night of slim picking for the locals with each of the five wins going to visitors.
In the opening race won by Ryan Nelson (Auckland), the first Palmerston North finisher was Cameron Wright in 15th place.
Other wins went to Hamish Moore (Gisborne) and Max Holloway (Wanganui) with Huntly’s Dylan Marshall winning the feature.