Stratford Speedway’s awards haul
Stratford Speedway and Taranaki Stock Car Club members brought five trophies home from the New Zealand Speedway Awards in Wellington.
All of Speedway New Zealand’s 23 tracks and their members had the opportunity to be nominated and Stratford Speedway and its members made the finals in eight categories.
The club was named most improved speedway, largely thanks to infrastructure improvements during the race season.
These included the new souvenir shop, new water tanks, enlarged pit area with new lighting, a new grader and the racing itself, with well-run events and good car counts.
Roger Tonkin, who has just completed a 40 year stint of announcing at the track, won the Contribution to Speedway award at the weekend’s event.
Tyler Walker won the soughtafter Stockcar Competitor of the Year award. Walker’s efforts during the race season and his ability to run at the front of the field at whichever track he is racing on, are obviously paying dividends.
He was also part of the successful Stratford Stormers Stockcar team that won the NZ Teams champs and has brought the event to Stratford for the coming season.
Bradley Korff dominated racing on his home track in the Adult Ministock class and also performed exceptionally well at the Wanganui and Palmerston North Speedways. He was rewarded for his efforts with Adult Ministock Competitor of the year.
Speedway New Zealand Steward Barbara Jones won the award for the best official, completing a solid evening at the event for the people from Taranaki.
Club president Richard Kettle was at the awards and was extremely happy with the results.
‘‘It just goes to show the depth of talent that we have within our club, not only with the drivers but also on the other side of the fence with our staff and volunteers. Everyone involved deserves a pat on the back.’’