JODY SCOTT
Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway was the place to be on Saturday night, with a full stadium treated to a high-octane mix of stock car racing and a Coca-Cola fireworks display, sponsored by Nelson Garage Doors.
The return of the Tasman Thunder stock car team saw them face off against the “Cando” Canterbury Crushers in a three-race battle for the Danny Holtham Memorial Trophy. The night delivered wall-to-wall action, including multiple rollovers and a dramatic final-lap hit that sealed the trophy for the Crushers by the narrowest of margins.
The Crushers took the Dumelow/Martin trophy with a win in the first race, but the Thunder bounced back in race two to level the score. In the final race, a last-gasp hit on the leading Thunder car by a chasing Crusher secured the 2–1 result. A double rollover in heat two brought the crowd to life as the Thunder surged ahead.
Super Stocks competed for the Dave Scott Memorial trophy, with Brett Nicholls looking strong until a flat tyre in the final laps ended his chances. Jason Moir, returning to racing after a decade away, claimed the win in the rebuilt Burson machine. Shane Harwood finished second, with Blake Hearne third. Alex Hill ended up on his roof after being flicked out of turn two, crushing his brand-new wing. But there was a smile on his face as he walked from the track – his wife Alicia won her first Super Stock race in just her second meeting.
Streetstock and Production Saloons ran in triples format. Father and son duo Ryan and Andre Musgrove teamed up with Richard Bateman to win the Streetstock event. Eddy Frans, Phil Taylor and Matt Chapman took out the Production Saloons, while Brendon Burns had a run-in with the wall, leaving him a little battered.
Eastern States claimed the Mike Inwood trophy against Nelson in the return leg from last week, winning 60–40.
Quarter Midgets ran combined pairs with Three-Quarter Midget drivers. Returning racer Morgan Frost won alongside his Quarter Midget partner Niko Harper. Darcy Rasmussen picked up three wins in the Quarter Midgets, while 1nz Jeremey Webb took out the shortened feature race in the first round of the club championship, with a tacky track testing drivers’ race lines.
Youth Ministocks opened the night with a fierce battle in the first heat between Eli Gare, Bailey Jefcoate and Locky Martin. Martin was spun on lap five, but the referee restarted him at the front. He held on for the win, fist-pumping inside the car as he crossed the line. Tate Carpenter and Kade Taylor won the other two races in what is proving to be a highly competitive grade.
The Coca-Cola fireworks display lit up the sky in a blaze of colour and sound, with thousands of children looking skyward. From the big bangs of rockets to the fizz and zip of sparklers, it was a spectacular show on a perfect summer night that sent the crowd home happy.
