Speedway: Harding wins big at Meeanee

Hawke's Bay's 3NZ Steve Flynn attempts an inside passing move on Mount Maunganui's John Roberts during Saturday's Meeanee-hosted round in the national Super Saloon Series. Photo / Paul Taylor

It's the type of stuff speedway drivers dream about ... out of the box and top spot on the podium.

"Yes and the fact my car is self-built made it more satisfying," Auckland Super Saloon driver Ben Harding said after dominating the fourth round in the Burger King-Pro Dirt Series at Hauraki Meeanee Speedway on Saturday night.

Despite it being Harding's second outing in his car, which is powered by a 418 Chev from CNC Motorsport in the States, the previous night's third round in Gisborne was his first. Harding won the first 12-lap heat from grid four, finished second in the second from grid 9, won the top 8 pole shuffle and the 25-lap feature race with lap times around the 16.42s mark.

"I don't usually go that well here at Meeanee. When you consider the car has done less than 100 laps and I finished eighth in Gisborne last night after collecting a flat tyre this was a good night."

Harding, 30, who has been racing in the class for 11 years, hopes his impressive form continues when the fifth round is staged at Mount Maunganui on December 29.

"We're supposed to be moving house in December so I may not get too many meetings in before that. It's also a busy time at work and our second baby is due around the time of the January 16 and 17 nationals in Wellington so I may miss that meeting ... hopefully the baby comes early," Harding said.

Canterbury's national champion Mark Osborne, who won the Gisborne round, finished second in the 25 lapper from grid three and Wellingtonian Mark Pitcher produced some spectacular passing on his way to third.

Hawke's Bay's best hopes Grant Flynn, who finished second in Gisborne, and his brother 3NZ Steve Flynn, were both on the wrong end of the luck scale in the 25 lapper after both won heats earlier.. Grant was forced to withdraw with damage on lap 19 after being spun around by Mount Maunganui's John Roberts and then hit by another Mount Maunganui driver, Gavin Dyer, while stationary on the track.

Less than one lap later his brother was also forced out with damage after a pile up which also ended the night's racing and podium hopes of Hawke's Bay's Grahame Strong. Nine cars were left in the race after this incident and the remaining Bay starters, Johnny Browne and Peter Black, finished eighth and ninth respectively.

Hawke's Bay's Mr Consistent in the ministock class, Regan Penn, a grandson of former national superstock champion Bryce Penn and nephew of two-time national superstock champion Shane Penn had a perfect night with four consecutive wins in his 22-strong class.

Clubmate Jakob Flynn, a son of Grant, was on target to win heat three but a slow start after a caution saw him finish third behind Penn and Thomas Rumble.

Hawke's Bay stockcar driver Randal Tarrant deserved his driver of the night award after winning all three heats in his 20-strong class. His third heat win came despite being halted by clubmate and regular stirrer Mike "Mr Speedway" McLachlan.

Tarrant's clubmate Ryan Whittaker did well to end Wellingtonian Bryce Jensen's hopes of a victory in their first heat with a well-timed hit. Whittaker was shoved up the wall in the next heat.

Hawke's Bay superstock driver Steve Jude had a memorable first meeting for the season with a win and a second in his 19-strong class. Clubmate Jarrod Lindsay impressed with his heat one victory and third placing from near the back of the field in heat two.