Spriggs claims final Oreti speedway title
Invercargill’s Connor Spriggs has snatched the final trophy up for grabs at Oreti Park Speedway this season.
The Brian Reed Memorial Solo Championship was contested in challenging track conditions, with Spriggs securing the title by just one point over Daniel Shuttleworth, with Zane Pay third overall.
In the end, just two points separated the trio, testament to the unpredictable nature of the racing throughout the event.
In the opening heat, Shuttleworth and John Tuffley crashed on the final turn, with Tuffley disappearing spectacularly under the air fence but emerging unhurt.
Invercargill’s Jake Gillespie suffered bike issues and was forced to retire for the day.
The restart was a two bike affair with Spriggs taking the flag in front of Pay – a crucial result which would ultimately determine the final standings.
With both rivals hitting the dirt on the final lap in race two, Pay earned maximum points.
Spriggs and Shuttleworth kept themselves in title contention by pushing their bikes across the finish line – a gallant effort, particularly from Spriggs who was forced to run his bike over half a lap.
The
three
remaining
heats were less dramatic with Shuttleworth taking three straight wins over Spriggs, with Pay taking third.
The Sidecar Pairs competition once again proved a popular addition to the race programme, with seven random pairs drawn to race over 21 heats.
The concept added a new dynamic to an already hotly contested class, delighting spectators with plenty of action.
Experienced campaigners Kevin McDonald and Karl Hosie teamed with Aiden Thwaites and Shane Twiss to eventually claim top honours, with James Douglas and Ricky Pubben and Dallas Kelman and Chay McWilliam just three points adrift in second.
Third overall went to Luke Thwaites and Neville Chalmers paired with Stan Ross and Chris Chatfield.
The junior and peewee classes were raced on the main track, with Invercargill’s Sam Taylor dominating the 200cc class ahead of Ben Whalley, of Christchurch.
Younger brother Caleb Whalley won the 125cc class over Hayden Brookland.
In the Peewee ranks, Cormac Buchanan added to his impressive collection of red sashes after beating Dakota Crengle in a run off for first when the duo were tied on points after the heats.
Solo Support was won by Pat Dysart with Kelvin Neutze and Les Payne first equal in the Classics.