Rascals deserved title winners
The 12- year domination of Palmerston North and Wellington at the stockcar national champs came to a spectacular end as the Rotorua Rascals won their first title at Arena Manawatu on Saturday night.
In a championship that was being completed after it was rained out the previous week, the big crowd were treated to some spectacular action, including a brilliant performance by Rotorua in the final.
As expected Rotorua and the Palmerston North Pumas made the final, but the Pumas were clearly hampered by the loss of star driver Peter Rees who had sustained major damage in the semifinal win over the Stratford Stormers.
Although Rees repaired his car, an engine problem after a bolt dropped into the carburettor put him out of the crucial race.
Palmerston North led early, but things turned around within two laps when Josh Prentice was rolled, followed by race leader Jay Knight being fired up the wall then eventually rolled.
Despite brilliant block driving by Gavin Taniwha, he was removed from the track by officials.
Rotorua race leader Damian Orr, who had a three- lap lead at one stage, kept in front despite Alec Wilson holding up the entire Rotorua team while Darrel Wallace cut Orr’s lead to a lap. Wilson rolled Chris Hall and smashed Dale Stewart into the wall but Orr’s lead was too great and a jubilant Rotorua team celebrated a deserved victory.
Watching from the embankment Peter Rees was obviously disappointed to lose but admitted that Rotorua’s win was great from the championship.
‘‘ It loses some of its spark when we or Wellington hold on to this for too long,’’ Rees said. ‘‘ It looks like we’ll be season.’’
‘‘ It couldn’t be going to a better place either, as Rotorua is a great track and well run.’’
Rees was immediately on the phone to Paradise Valley promoter Sonia Hickey congratulating her on the team’s first win.
‘‘ Rotorua have put a lot of work into this team and they got they win they deserved, but we’ll be back to try and get it back next season.’’
Rees said though he doesn’t enjoy watching, it was a fantastic final.
‘‘ The fans go to teams’ racing to be entertained and even I was entertained watching on the bank.’’
Taniwha’s impressive blocking display was a big part of Palmerston North’s semifinal win, at one stage holding the entire Stratford team up and though Rees was taken out, Prentice won the race comfortably.
It was a day of highs and lows for Prentice. After attending the birth of his child he raced to the speedway, won the semifinal for Palmerston North, then was rolled in the final.
Rotorua was tested in its semifinal with Nelson’s Tasman Thunder only just holding on.
In the consolation races, new national stockcar champion and runner- up Jayden Ward and Chevron Taniwha both had the opportunity to take the chequered flag around the Robertson Holden Speedway after winning races.
National sidecar champions Ben Humphrey and Ben Franklin showed they’ll be the team to beat at the North Island championships at Arena Manawatu in a fortnight with three dominant wins, the first when they went three- wide from third.
After winning the Burt Munro at Invercargill they’ve been in outstanding form.
They will be challenged though by national No 2 Richard and Alistair Horne who were second in each race.
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