STOCKCARS FEATURE AT STRATFORD
Racers from all over the country will converge on the Stratford Speedway over the weekend to contest the New Zealand Stockcar Grand Prix, the first of four national titles that will be contested at the Taranaki club this season.
Close to 100 drivers will be on hand for Friday night’s qualifying that will feature four seeded groups. Drivers will need to be consistent in all of their three races to have a chance at qualifying as only seven competitors will make it through to the finals from each group while a final two will come from a repechage on Saturday to make a final field of 30.
While the first race for each qualifying group will likely be tame, action can potentially erupt in the next two races as those competitors who have had a bad run or a non finish and can’t qualify may use their bumpers to hinder or eliminate the opposition to help drivers form their own clubs get through to the finals.
The same theory of action applies to Saturday night’s three final heats. In fact, more so as there is more at stake in the form of prize money and a title. Because full contact is permitted, finals racing in any stockcar event can be very brutal.
Taranaki competitors make up a decent portion of the field with 33 entrants. That will give them an advantage over the visiting competitors. As well as a numbers advantage, the locals also have the experience advantage in regards to track knowledge which will help them on their quest for victory.
There is some good machinery locally with the likes of Josh Walsh, who is the current No 3 ranked driver in New Zealand, Bevan Phillips, Mark Woods, Shane Denham, Kylee Symes just to mention a few. With some skilled racing and a bit of luck, these drivers, or any of the other locals could easily find themselves on the top step of the podium.
Streetstocks and saloons will race as supporting classes on Friday night, the latter including a couple of returning drivers in the starting line-up in the form of Brett Barron and Blake Hooper.
On Saturday night, the recently reformed Waikato Wanderers Superstock team will take on the local Stratford Scrappers in a 12 lap team’s race, adding another element to the already exciting race programme while a solid field of more than 20 superstocks will compete in the open races.
Also scheduled for the night is a 16 car minisprint field that will contest the Taranaki champs for the class.
Eleven locals will make up the bulk of the field but the five visitors, including New Zealand ranked No 2 Dean Cooper from Palmerston North who will all be eyeing up the silverware.
Racing starts at 7pm both nights.