Speedway gets the green light again
Mitch Vickery carried Kihikihi club flag high when he made podium in the UK
Ready to launch this Saturday night, McDonald’s Kihikihi Speedway is set for its biggest season in recent years.
Hindered by two Covid-affected seasons, this 68th season in the club’s history kicks off with the family favourite, Fireworks Opening Meeting.
Big crowds are expected on the banks of the Kihikihi Domain and a number of local and visiting drivers are confirmed to attend. This Waipā Home of Champions-supported event is a highlight in the district’s rich history of sporting and family entertainment.
Headlining the evening are the open-wheel spectacle of Sprintcars and Midgets. The latter are racing for the Rosetown 30 Lapper with local hopes in the hands of youngster Mitch Fabish, fresh from a positive showing at Baypark the previous week.
3NZ Max Guilford is coming, along with current King Country champ Aucklander Brad Mosen. Local Sprintcars should number a half dozen from the 12+ cars entered, a solid field boasting former NZ Champion Kerry Brocas and several other experienced campaigners.
Stockcars and Superstocks are on the schedule. Local numbers have swelled over the last couple of seasons off the back of the Kings team rebirth. Taranaki resident and Kihikihi-contracted Mitch Vickery will be here with his stockcar.
The 26Kwill lead a 26-strong entry list. Since joining the club in 2019, the talented young driver has become Kihikihi’s first New Zealand Stockcar placegetter (third place 2020), also made the podium at the New Zealand Superstocks (third place 2021 with club mate Asher Rees winning) and first ever world 240s placegetter (another third place, 2022).
This off-season, Mitch became New Zealand’s first driver to make the podium at a major BRISCA Stockcar championship in the UK, third place at the World Masters Championship in Northampton. Top Kiwi drivers have visited England shores for well over 40 years— such is the magnitude of Vickery’s achievement.
A full field of Saloons and Youth Ministocks round out the evening entertainment. A stellar field of Saloons from as far away as Gisborne, Stratford and Auckland are coming featuring current King Country champ Jarred Fletcher.
The Ministock class will revel in the big crowd atmosphere and on their night, have the ability to steal the show. Youth Quarter Midgets are also on the programme before the night concludes with a generous community fireworks display.
The club strongly advises arriving early as the queues can be long.
An batch of presale tickets coupled with a separate entrance is available through the Kihikihi Speedway website, which promises to be the quickest way in.
Full details at kihikihispeedway.co.nz