Young guns set pace at gravel sprint
Twenty-year-old Mason Grimmer has claimed this year’s Fordell Gravel Sprint title, but only just. Organiser Bryce Hackett said there was only half a second separating Grimmer’s Mazda 323 and second-placed William Menzies in his Mitsubishi Evo 6.
Drivers’ final times were their fastest day runs and night runs combined, with Grimmer clocking in at 5min 58.1s and Menzies close behind in 5m 58.59s.
The event served as round three of the Central Region Sprint Series.
“Those two are both pretty young, they’ve only been in it a few years, and they’re both doing really well,” Hackett said.
“The young talent is certainly coming through and that’s making some of the more experienced drivers take note and say ‘How do we keep up with these fellas?’.
Dannevirke’s Daniel Feck came home third, with Chris Gracie in fourth.
Hackett said radio issues and an early crash meant the day got off to a slow start, but overall, the event was a success.
“The second car on the road had a bit of a whoops, so we had to grab him back up.
“There was a bit of sunstrike during the day runs as well, so they weren’t breaking any records, but there were still a few who broke the three-minute mark for the (5.5km) run.
“We were really happy with the night-time stuff in particular, and the top two actually drove faster in the dark.”
Hackett, who is the Whanganui Car Club president, said there were “heaps of spectators” on-site throughout the entire event.
“It was a brilliant weekend, and without everyone there it wouldn’t have been as awesome as it was.
“A big thank you goes out to the marshals, the competitors and to the residents as well.”