The veterans outclassed the young guns as a revamped PTS Super Stock Stampede format delivered fast drama at Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway at the weekend.
A new pairs format, already familiar to Stockcar fans, proved a hit as seasoned campaigners Shane Harwood and Brett Nicholls showed their class against a keen Tigers contingent. Harwood and Nicholls schooled Tigers duo Blake Hearne and Callum Russ, then outdrove Alex Hill and Meeanee visitor Zac Glenny to claim the overall victory.
Tigers manager Harwood drew gasps from the crowd when he pushed captain Hearne up the back straight wall, leaving Hearne stranded and Russ to fend off both Harwood and Nicholls alone. Russ had impressed earlier, landing a heavy shot on Nicholls in the final heat despite nursing a flat tyre from a brutal clash with Ben Taylor and Matt Inwood.
Hill and Glenny had earlier edged Harwood and Nicholls by one point to advance directly to the final. Regular visitors Adam Groome and Jason Moir also produced strong early runs, progressing through two heats before falling to Hearne and Russ.
Experience ultimately told, with former 1nz Harwood and South Island champion Nicholls sealing the Stampede title.
The Stockcars followed the same format. Thunder captain Adam Hall and South Island runner-up Jack Rarity dominated the points to earn a straight path to the final. Kynan Robinson and Elsie Vlaanderen battled through two knockouts before Deegan Broker and Brenton Coleman halted their run. Robinson and Vlaanderen recovered strongly, winning the next two races to reach the final.
All four finalists clashed at the first corner before Rarity slipped clear. Hall switched to blocking duties, protecting Rarity’s lead as the pair secured a convincing win.
Ministock Mania drew a field of sixty competitors from across New Zealand for 18 races over two nights, split into novice and senior sections. The title went down to the final race, with local driver Eli Gare winning by one point from Christchurch’s Jack Anderton. Gare’s teammate Jaxon Dacombe was third, just two points further back. In the junior section, Christchurch driver Aiden Rae took top honours, followed by Palmerston North’s Baxter Reid and local racer Taylor Martin.
The TQ tri-series delivered a gripping feature race, with 2nz Lachey Brett holding off former New Zealand champion Jeremy Webb by just .13 seconds after multiple lead changes. The duel sets up an exciting build-up to the South Island title in two weeks.
Several rollovers punctuated the night, some the result of bad luck while others appeared well planned. With big hits, tight battles and an energetic run into the Shoot-outs, the Stampede once again proved a crowd favourite.
