Change of plans sees teams race at Stratford
It’s not as originally planned, but teams racing will take place at Stratford Speedway on Saturday night.
A superstock teams race between the Stratford Scrappers and the Gisborne Giants was scheduled to take place at the meeting, however the rain affected New Zealand Superstock Championship at Palmerston North has had an unexpected effect on the race.
With the finals night of the event being rained off last week, it has been rescheduled to run this Friday night which has created uncertainty over whether the Gisborne team will be able to front at Stratford the following night.
This uncertainty has forced organisers to pull the pin and two replacement races have been added to the race program.
The Kihikihi Crusaders will take on the Stratford Stormers in a stockcar teams race before the Stratford Scrappers take on a Taranaki Invitation team in the superstock grade.
Some Stormers drivers are currently unavailable for team selection due to damage sustained while racing at the New Zealand Stockcar Championship at Kihikihi last weekend, including Bevan Phillips who suffered roll cage damage after a spectacular roll over during the event.
It will still be a strong team that will clash with the Crusaders however. The team will consist of New Zealand number three Josh Walsh, Tyler Walker, Haydin Barker, Andrew Dodunski and Mark Woods.
The Kihikihi team, consisting of Shaun McPherson, Stephen McPherson, Aydan McPherson, Ben Ellis and Eben Young is an unknown quantity but the Stormers have been in good form for the past couple of seasons and would be expected to take the win at their home track.
Anything can happen during a teams race, where the object is to get one of your cars across the finish line first by any means possible.
Drivers need to be alert, know what their teammates are doing and be able to change roles from running to blocking if required.
The Scrappers taking on a Taranaki Invitation team will give drivers in the superstock class that are keen on teams racing a chance to have a go and test their skills.
A large field, boosted in number by the Kihikihi team cars, will race for the Stockcar Heritage Shield on the same night.
With well over 30 competitors indicating their presence at the meeting, it will be the driver that possesses the ability to make forward ground in a large field that will likely be standing on the top step of the podium. Josh Walsh, Tyler Walker and Mark Woods will be among the likely front runners during the racing.
The midget class will contest their Taranaki Championships and it will be regular front runner Duane Hickman that many will expect to see holding the trophy at the completion of racing.
Hickman has won the event five times previously with two of those wins back to back victories last season and the season prior.
Streetstocks, superstocks, adult and youth ministocks will complete the racing program, which starts at 7pm.