The orange and black was proudly worn by many race fans as the Nelson Tigers returned to the track after a six-year hiatus at Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway.
The “Tiger Cubs” were ably led by team captain Blake Hearne who is in his second season of Super Stock racing, alongside good mate Callum Russ, who was making his debut as a third generation Tiger, aided by the slightly older Matt Inwood, Ben Taylor and Alex Hill.
They were pitted against the Canterbury Beagles (a development team for the Eagles), and with just a couple of drivers having any teams racing experience it ended up being a tense race with the Beagles only just edging ahead in the final laps, despite a couple of cars getting major damage.
The huge hit from Callum Russ sending the Beagle car of Jake Berry flying off the wall was a learning curve for all and a return match is planned for down south later in the year.
The Open Club Champs for Super Stocks and Stock Cars kept the entertainment up, Gisborne-contracted Tim Ross getting the Super stock title. It was a 3-way run-off for 2nd between Beagle Jay Holtham, Brett Nicholls and Roydon Winstanley, ending a busy night with Holtham pushing Nicholls wide on the final corner to claim the runner-up spot. Jack Rarity kept out of trouble as the battles went on in the Stock cars. Tied with Dylan Hall going into the final heat, it was Rarity finishing just ahead of Hall to claim the title. Max Baker finished 3rd with a solid effort, a couple of huge hits throughout the racing as the locals battled with the visitors.
The Streetstocks were a bit light on numbers, running as pairs, it was a landslide victory for Ryan Musgrove and Kahu Epiha, a 1st and 2nd in the final race cementing their lead after heat 2. Josh Atkinson and Malita Evans were 2nd with Tom McSherry and Perry Soper 3rd, Harry Moffat-Schwass regaining the stirrer’s prize.
The second round of the T.Q. club championship had a mixed bag, Jonti Austin now leading the race on 79 points. With six cars all within nine points of each other at the top, finishing all three races next round is essential. Morgan Frost had a tough night at the office after leading from round 1, Maia Nicholson claimed her maiden feature win.
The Production saloons had a couple of ring-in drivers, Chris Cornelious stepping in for son Vaughan, while Charlie Brock had a race in the new Kaylim McNabb car. There were wins to David Allen, Eddy Frans and McNabb.
The Youth classes were busy, wins to Leilah Jefcoate, Locky Martin, Conley Webley and Thomas Jack in the Ministocks. In Quarter Midgets, wins went to Darcy Rasmussen, Lakyn Thompson and Taylor Martin.
Just three more meetings until the club hosts the NZ Super stock titles, with tickets sales from the club website from 6pm on 20 November.
