Speedway promoters were on Friday increasingly confident of getting the two-night national TQ Midget championships out of the way at Meeanee without interference from the rain which has plagued Hawke’s Bay since Christmas.
It was touch and go as the first of the 46 drivers arrived at the track on the southern outskirts of Napier, with a bit of sunshine and a bit of rain ahead of the 4.30pm Friday scrutineering deadline and first racing and qualifying rounds starting at 6.30pm.
The MetService forecast was taking a bob each-way, predicting a few showers in the afternoon but clearing into the evening, but promoters said that if there was rain – such as the 35mm that fell on one night earlier in the week – the qualifying could be postponed and completed on Saturday, with an earlier start if necessary.
A small number of entrants are from the South Island, said Meeanee Speedway manager Bryan Puklowski, but more than half the field is from outside Hawke’s Bay.
The first goal for the racers, who include four women ranging in age from 17 to 39, on Friday was to qualify for the final on Saturday night.
