Tactical error at last corner hands title to Winstanley
Wellington’s Josh Prentice was heading for an easy victory in the Manawatu¯ Stockcar Championships until a final-corner intervention from Mitchell Pescini handled the title to Roydon Winstanley at Palmerston North’s Robertson Holden Speedway.
A big field of 43 cars was whittled down to 30 for the threeheat final on Wednesday, but the former Palmerston North driver, Prentice, was making the title all his own after winning the first two heats, despite beginning at the back and middle of the field.
Starting on pole in the final heat Prentice tried to disguise himself, coming out without his wing and then settling in behind race leader Pescini. He withstood an attack from Stu Sowry and had team-mate Bryce Jensen riding shotgun for him.
With one corner remaining Jensen made the error of taking out race leader Pescini, who then turned and attacked Prentice. Unfortunately for Prentice, his car was locked together with Pescini and by the time he freed himself his 10-point lead was gone as he finished 11th in the race and second overall.
One of the most improved stockcar drivers, Winstanley won the final heat for a deserved first major stockcar title, after finishing fourth in each of the first two heats.
Going into the third heat a group of drivers were tied behind Prentice – Brendon Learmonth, who was taken out by James Clarke, Daniel Burmeister, who was rolled, Brendon Tye and Kyle Taylor. Taylor eventually finished third overall, ahead of Tye.
Consistent driving from Shane Dewar proved the difference between himself and national champion Christian Hermansen, as Dewar led the 15-lap Manawatu¯ Minisprint Title final for the entire race.
After many bridesmaid finishes at major events, the
One of the most improved stockcar drivers, Winstanley won the final heat for a deserved first major stockcar title.
Manawatu¯ title was Dewar’s first big win.
For his part, Hermansen, who along with Dewar are clearly the quickest drivers in the country, appeared to suffer from being a little hasty and spun in the final qualifier, which forced him to start the final on the fourth row.
Hermansen quickly climbed to second and as Dewar got into traffic Hermansen closed up, but again he spun as Dewar went wide to lap Brett Giles while Hermansen took a tight line on the inside, causing both Giles and Hermansen to spin. At the restart Hermansen was sent to the back of the field and with just three laps remaining he had no chance of catching the front three.
Stratford’s Daniel Nickel finished a deserved second ahead of Kurt Phillips.
The sidecar races were shared by Mark Whye and Jacob Cooper, Tony Hislop and Matt Stewart, and Kieran Payne and Mikey O’neill.
The four adult ministock races were won by Kyle Rowe, with two wins, and Zane Riddick, from Stratford.