Sprintcars set new lap record in ‘breathtaking’ display after watering disaster

The sprintcar of 1NZK Daniel Thomas spins out while rocketing around a lightning-fast Gisborne track but he quickly righted himself, doing a wheelstand in the process of getting back on track. Pictures by Liam Clayton

Club spirit shone brightly on Friday night when Gisborne Speedway Club overcame a wet track that ultimately led to the record lap times as the sprintcars revelled in lightning-fast conditions.

An error with watering of the track just prior to racing meant a one-hour delay to the start of the programme.

The club has apologised to the sizeable crowd for the delay.

“We misread the track preparations when the wind stopped and the cloud came over, hence the wet track at the start,” it said in a statement.

“We thank you for your patience while we got it right and we apologise that it was such a late night.”

Dozens of race vehicles and others were used in a painstaking process to prepare the track again to the point it was safe to race on.

Once racing started the track got faster and faster and the McIndoe Logging Sprintcar Extravaganza lived up to all expectations.

In the words of club vice-president

Clyde McGrory, previously a sprintcar racer himself, the 20-lap final was “breathtaking”.

“They were lapping at 11.9 seconds, which is unheard of, and established a new club lap record.

“One of the drivers told me afterwards he’d never raced so fast in his life. ‘When are we coming back?’  he told me.”

McGrory said he was proud of the way the club members responded to the wet track problems.

“We dealt with the situation together, which was a tribute to the club, I reckon.

“Thanks to Rodney and the team at McIndoe Logging for bringing this event to town.”

Jamie Larsen (82M) from Mount Maunganui won the 20-lap final, followed by clubmate Ryan O’Connor (98M) and 1NZK Daniel Thomas.

O’Connor said it was “pretty cool” to race on the banked track.

“It’s definitely fast. No other track in the country has that much banking. We’d race here every weekend if the track was just a bit wider.”

The sprintcar drivers enjoyed the experience, he said,

“It was cool that the fans got to see us race.”

In the other feature event of the night, a new-look Gisborne Gladiators stockcar team started their time together with a clearcut victory over the Meeanee Maulers from Hawke’s Bay.

Ethan Bruce (71G) went from pole and got the jump to get away cleanly, with Bryce Simpson (98G) riding shotgun to back him up all the way to the finish line.

Bruce and his teammates were elated.

“It was awesome to win it,” he said. “We’re absolutely stoked to put it together like that,”

Club president Sam Hughes said it represented a great outlook for the new team.

“It’s their first time together out there and they win, and win well. You cannot ask for more than that.”

The other members of the team were Will Kaa (164G) who made a strong team racing debut, and Jason Lovell (67G), who showed all of  his experience.

The Gladiators will race together again in Palmerston North on December 9.

The saloons were another feature of the night led by Rodney McIndoe, who took out the Eastland Oil and Engineering Supplies feature race in his 7G machine.

Corbyn Wilson (44G) was in electric form in winning the Repco Gisborne feature race for the youth ministocks. He added it to his previous two wins on the night.

Ari Robertson (97G) pushed him hard.

The Repco Gisborne Stockcar driver of the night award went to Will Kaa in 164G.

Blake Dear (37G) was a standout again in the production saloons.

Cody Gooch (6G) set the tone for the night once racing started, He took the chequered flag comfortably after attacking what was still a sticky track.

Dylan McGregor was once again dynamic in the TQs.

The club’s next meeting on December 16 will feature the Youth Ministock 100, a demolition derby and the appearance of the big man in red.