By Daniel Neville

After what seems like an eternity since the last meeting, TWS Paradise Valley Speedway roared into life once again on March 18^th with the long awaited return of the winged warriors and the Fastening Solutions North Island Modified Championship.

Also on the programme were the Key Accessories Locksmiths Stockcars, the Eastern Bay Auto Electrical Production Saloons, the Superior Steel Structures Superstocks and the Classic Builders Lake District TQ Midgets.

The North Island Modifieds featured the newly crowned podium of 1nz Brad Lane, 2nz Jonas England and 3nz Luke Brown after their NZ champs held at Huntly Speedway the previous weekend. They were joined by eight other contenders for the 3 heat championship. Heat 1 saw Brown dash away from the front to open up a sizable lead as the raced progressed. England however was a little less fortunate and came to grief mid race, rolling the 2nz car after losing a wheel just out of turn four. Brown controlled the restart and took the win, setting an new unofficial lap record in the process. Heat 2 saw 10 of the original 11 cars on track with the 2nz of England unfortunately out after his heat 1 rollover. 1nz Lane was on pole but was beaten at the start by 96h Scott Redfern. Lap 1 also saw 81w Dave Smith clobber the wall and cop some damage. From the restart Lane grabbed the lead and sprinted away from the field but ended the race abruptly, tripping over 28v Ricky Dykstra just short of the getting the win. Redfern got the lead back and went on to win with 3nz Brown home second. Heat 3 saw just 7 cars on the grid which quickly reduced to 5 when 11a Jamie Fox pulled to the infield then Redfern’s car erupted into flames. 21s Newton Gordge led the restart and took the win. Overall it was 3nz Luke Brown who claimed the Fastening Solutions North Island Modified Championship from 68h Cody Hata, who had been consistent all night, with 96h Scott Redfern completing the podium in third, despite the 3 fire.

Fastening Solutions North Island Modified Points

The Stockcars boasted big numbers and in race 1 it was 27r Douglas Stanaway who had the lead early but was crunched into the wall by 55r Robert Murray allowing 45r Sean Wepa through and as well as getting the flag, Wepa sent the 98g of Bryce Simpson high up the wall and almost over as the 45r crossed the finish line. Race 2 was won by 18r Jayden Steiner who slipped past 454k Jessie Henderson who had been in front since the start. Race 3 went the way of 94r Samuel Murray who snuck through on the last corner after 5k Dion Henderson looked certain to win but tangled with lap traffic to finish well down the field. The 4^th and final race was won by former Streetstock national champion Chris Shingleton in the 9k car to end the night’s racing. Overall it was 94r Samuel Murray on top points from 46r Richard Willis with 53r Aaron Powell third.

Key Accessories Locksmiths Stockcar Points
 

The Production Saloons had their turn next with a good 17 car field. 48h Dave Pilkington made short work of the of race 1 getting the win and then repeating that in race 2. Race 3 had a different winner with 95r Craig Jones finishing first. Overall though it was 28r Nick Johnson from 48h Dave Pilkington with 63r Peter Cradock third.

Eastern Bay Auto Electrical Production Saloon Points





 

The roar of the Superstocks was next on track with a full field. A frantic race 1 went to 274r Mike Hohneck with 99m Todd Hemingway close behind. Race 2 was another drag race all the way to the flag with 81r Damian Orr grabbing the flag after 12 laps. Race 3 had speed to burn as well with the veteran 19m Kerry Remnant getting the win. Overall it was 198r Mark Costello who topped the points from 99m Todd Hemingway with 94r Dale Stewart beating 81r Damian Orr in the run off for third.

Superior Steel Structures Superstock Points

 

The TQ Midgets completed the night making a rare but welcome appearance with a dozen cars present. Race 1 saw an epic battle at the front with 17g Dylan McGregor prevailing after going wheel to wheel for much of the race with second place getter 36a Cole Morrison. Race 2 went to local driver Terence Dorrell in the 3nz car. Race 3 went to 36a Morrison who finally got his reward after some good placings in the first 2 races.

Classic Builders Lake District TQ Midget Points

The next meeting at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway is on Friday March 31^st and it will be the McRobbie Contracting club night featuring the Franklyn Scrap Metals Bay of Plenty Six Shooter Championship with support racing from Superstocks, Stockcars, Vintage Stockcars, Streetstocks and Ministocks, racing gets underway from 7pm.

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