Speedway rocket ships set to burn up Gisborne track Saturday night

Auckland's Jamie Fox will be among the modified drivers lighting up the MTF Awapuni Speedway track on Saturday night. These lightning-fast machines are expected to get around the track in 13 to 14 seconds.

The “winged warrior” modifieds return to MTF Awapuni Speedway on Saturday night in what promises to be scorching action as these hard-charging drivers look to break lap record times set last season.

Regarded by many as the glamour class of New Zealand speedway, modifieds feature huge wings mounted on top of 600-horsepower cars to keep them down to the ground and at their fastest.

With their light space frame chassis, the machines take a bit of hanging on to for drivers.

Driving them has been compared to riding a bucking bronco at a rodeo.

Modifieds have a wheelbase of 2.13m minimum and 2.74 maximum and a vehicle width of 2m.

Engines may be four-cylinder, rotary, six-cylinder or small-block V8 production engines running carburettors only and using methanol or pump gas.

As of Thursday, eight machines from Auckland, Huntly, Stratford and Wellington had been confirmed for Saturday night’s Pit Stop Modified Championship - 1NZH and three-time New Zealand champion Brad Lane, 11A Jamie Fox, 36W Jacob Free, 53H Barry Hunter, 63A Daniel Crumpe, 68A Cody Hata, 71S John Jackson,121A Newton Gordge.

“We’re rapt to have them back here,” Gisborne Speedway Club president Sam Hughes said. “They put on a great show last time they were here and they loved our banked track.”

The top drivers were circulating the track in times of around 13 to 14 seconds.

The modifieds will race over a three-race points series, followed by a 20-lap final.

Titles will be on the line in two other classes.

The Bruce Ellmers Memorial trophy is up for grabs in the saloon cars class, with six entries as of Thursday – 9B Tanga, 7G Rodney McIndoe 7G, 14G Glen Paris, 42G Evan Mooney, 16G Sean Robertson and 444G Dan Weston.

Robertson and McIndoe go in as favourites.

Six production saloons will battle it out for the coveted Phil Walsh Memorial Trophy.

A full support programme will feature youth Ministocks, streetstocks, TQ midgets and stockcars.

Hughes said they were blown away as a club with the support for their opening meeting.

More than 5000 people attended the Jukes Carriers fireworks meeting on November 2.

“We appreciated that great support and hope it continues through the season.”

Gates open at 5pm on Saturday and the first race starts at 6pm.

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Truck Show for Planet Sunshine a success

Gisborne Speedway Club Last weekend hosted something a little different – the Gisborne East Coast Truck Show and it was a huge success.

A line-up of 88 trucks of all shapes and sizes took part and more than 1000 people paid a gold coin donation to look them over.

The day supported Planet Sunshine, the children’s ward at Gisborne Hospital.

Organisers were rapt with the day and said on social media this week they had a “great” amount to donate to Planet Sunshine.

They thanked everyone who played a part in making the day happen.