Gladiators ready to rumble in Palmy

Members of the Gisborne Gladiators got together with sponsors and fans during the week, ahead of a big stockcar teams event in Palmerston North this weekend. From left are team members Jason Lovell, Will Kaa and Bryce Simpson, Gisborne Speedway Club president Sam Hughes, and team member Ethan Bruce. Picture by Liam Clayton

The Gisborne Gladiators stockcar team will race in a big teams event in Palmerston North against nine other teams from around the North Island this weekend.

They go into the competition tomorrow night fresh from their convincing victory over the Meeanee Maulers team at the Gisborne Speedway last month.

The team for the Palmerston North meeting comprises Ethan Bruce (71G), Bryce Simpson (98G), Haydin Barker (84G) from Stratford, Will Kaa (164G), and Keegan Orr (735GR), who is on contract to the Gisborne club from Rotorua.

Jason Lovell will be the sixth driver.

Most of the team got together with sponsors this week at The Tyre General, where the team was “unveiled” along with the new colour scheme on their cars.

“We had a good turnout for it,” club vice-president Clyde McGrory said.

“A lot of members of the public stopped by to have a look at the cars and to meet the drivers.

“It shows the support behind the team, which is great.”

Club president Sam Hughes said the new-look team should do well this weekend.

“I think we’re fielding one of the best teams we’ve seen representing our club since the days of the Rees family in stockcars.

“Haydin Barker has a lot of experience in stockcar teams racing, and he’s in a brand new car.

“Bryce (Simpson) has been racing well along with Ethan (Bruce),” Hughes said.

“They backed each other up so well against the Maulers.

“Will Kaa also impressed on debut that night.”

Hughes reckons they will represent Gisborne well in Palmerston North.

• TQ  racer Dylan MacGregor (17G) will race at the New Zealand championships in Nelson this weekend, and must be rated a serious chance of a podium finish, given how well he has been going so far this season.

• The Gisborne Giants “development team” will race in a superstock teams event at Huntly this weekend. That team comprises Sam Hughes (77G), Brodie James (87G) and Tyler James (89G) both from Te Puke, and Jason Jones (81G).

They also race tomorrow night.