Club spirit keeps racing on track
How speedway pulled off its biggest event in 10 years
Hawke’s Bay’s biggest speedway racing event in a decade rounded the final corner with a successful bang, or two, or three, after a massive logistical effort helped get the track in shape for racing.
Rain caused track issues and delays at Meeanee Speedway on Friday and Saturday, but it was third time lucky for the weather on Sunday.
It was also third time lucky for Kihikihi-contracted Asher Rees, 29, who became the first driver to win three consecutive New Zealand Superstock Championship titles.
There was intermittent racing across the days of the PTS Logistics NZ Superstock Champs, a rainout on Friday and track damage on Saturday meant the majority of the events had to be completed on Sunday. Drainage work, grader work, wheel packing, and the use of a helicopter to try to dry the track out were some of the things teams at the speedway did to ensure the mammoth event could take place.
Touted as Speedway New Zealand’s pinnacle event and celebrating its 58th edition, the derby was set to see 130 cars race over three nights, with the shakedown on Thursday night, qualifying on Friday, and finals on Saturday.
While the shakedown was staged in ideal conditions, wet weather meant the postponement of Friday night’s meeting. Conditions on Saturday also forced the club to make the decision to stage two meetings in one day on Sunday, with qualifying from 1pm and finals from 6.30pm.
One hundred and twentyone cars made for a riproaring finale. “The club did an absolutely awesome job and left no stone unturned in our quest to get the event run,” Hawke’s Bay Speedway Club president James Buckrell said.
“Most tracks get two to three years to prepare for a New Zealand Championship. We had six months to prepare for this championship and plan a whole season.”
Buckrell’s club only took over the running of Meeanee Speedway in July. Prior to this, the track was promoter run for five seasons.
“I believe the club spirit is the best it has been for 20 years, and that is why we were able to stage what we did on Sunday. All the working bees which took place beforehand and all the club members contributing . . . that was the highlight for me,” Buckrell said.
Rees won the title by 10 points from Stratford’s Blair Uhlenberg. Whanganui’s Zane Dykstra was seven points back in third place.
It was also a family affair, with Rees receiving plenty of protection from his father and 2015 winner of the title, Peter Rees, and his brother Ethan Rees in the final heat.
Ethan slowed down to allow Asher to pass him and win.
Hawke’s Bay-based Auckland-contracted driver Randal Tarrant, who won the title in 2020, finished fifth.
Hawke’s Bay drivers, Jacob Buckrell and Ben Milne, qualified for the top 26, but both missed out on a top-six finish.