By Daniel Neville

It seems like an age since the last meeting at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway. It was in fact 78 days since the epic World 240’s weekend in  January that saw another Covid interruption take effect the day after but thankfully racing was able to resume on April 10^th with a club Sunday afternoon meeting featuring 6 classes racing under beautifully sunny skies.

A 30 deep Stockcar field got things underway 27r Douglas Stanaway reeling in early leader 87r Chris Shingleton to collect the first win of the day. Race 2 was a bit busier with a big pile up in turn 3 causing problems for a few. There was a bit more biff and bash than race one but the same result at the end as Stanaway won again. The third and final race saw more bumper work going on and a win for 91r Tony Coxhead.

Next was the younger generation with Ministocks taking to the track and a very good drive by Ryan Hancock saw him take the flag in his colourful 98r car. Race two saw a few stoppages some got a little keen and decided to crash in a non contact class. Hancock stayed away from the carnage for win number 2 of his afternoon. Race 3 ended slightly prematurely after another racing incident near the end with Hancock in the box seat when that happened and completed the clean sweep.

The elder age division of the Ministocks saw a win in race one for 42r Tasman Bryson. Race 2 played out in similar fashion with Bryson the winner again with the third and final race going the way of 971r George Crawford.

Production Saloons had their turn next with 12 cars on the grid for race and it was Huntly visitor 48h Dave Dave Pilkington who got home first after a fairly tidy 10 laps. Race 2 went to 28r Dylan Shearman with race 3 won by 95r Craig Jones.
 

The awesome rumble of Superstocks shattered the peace next with a top field and the traditional turn one pile up ensuing. After that was cleared it was 335r Ken Hunter who carried the flag on a track that got faster as the race went on. Race 2 was reasonably tame until just as 7r Michael Rumney crossed under the start finish line in first place, 638r Robbie Morris rolled 99m Todd Hemingway. Race 3 was a little less rough with Hemingway returning after going up and over to get the win ahead of an unlucky 47b Zach Glenny who was leading for much of the race but got a puncture as he entered the last lap.

Ten Streetstocks came out the gate next with only 6 of them finishing and 11r Steve de Malmanche the winner while 199r Jaxon Whyte needed a tow back to the pits after his right front wheel collapsed towards the end. Race 2 was in the reverse direction and that worked well for Hawkes Bay visitor 9b Philip McNamara who finished ahead of the rest. Race 3 was a Shane Bracken benefit with the 858r finishing first.
 

A new class to Paradise Valley Speedway are the Three Quarter Midgets and they had three races in what I think is their first full compliment of races on the programme. It was a familiar name who carried the flag at the end of race one with former Ministock racer 22r Terence Dorrell winning comfortably. Race 2 went to 8a Dylan Cooke who had Dorrell hot on his tail tank for much of the race. The third and final race saw 10a Roydon Crawford take the win with Dorrell again second and recording the fastest lap of the race.

Racing resumes at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway next Saturday and Sunday with multiple championships across 7 classes including the Bay of Plenty for all classes. Racing starts at 5pm both days, see the calendar link for full championship details. The weekend will finish up with the always entertaining demolition derby.

Media Results
Fastest Laps
Lap Data

Meeting photos available on Sportsweb Photography