Speedway: Super Symes shows the Kuru Cup Love-ridge

Solo bikes final from left: Darrin Wilson, Michael Patey and winner Jason Mckay. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hawke's Bay stockcar driver Brandon Symes was quick to praise clubmate Brett Loveridge after he captured the Kuru Cup at Meeanee on Saturday night.

"Big ups to Brett ... he helped us fellow Bay drivers out big time," Symes said.

Former Mauler Loveridge attacked Rotorua's Josh Fraser, who had won both of the previous two heats, twice in the 10-lap third heat and Fraser was unable to finish the race. Symes, 21, who is in his first full season in the class and was making his first appearance in a new car, was surprisingly untouched on his way to victory in the race after finishing second in the first heat and third in the second for the 21-car class to win the title by five points from clubmate Jason Jones.

"We belt each other up on a normal night and on nights like this when there are big titles at stake we help each other out ... there are no hard feelings and we'll have a beer later on," Loveridge said afterwards.

When quizzed on why he attacked clubmate Jeff Hart as much as Fraser, Loveridge said Hart had stopped him winning championships in the past.

Symes, who ensured the cup has never been won by an out-of-town driver in its nine-season history, said he expects to be a marked man next summer in the wake of his success.

A diesel mechanic with Eastern Truck and Marine Ltd, Symes, raced ministocks in Auckland before having a four-season break and moving to the Bay.

Hawke's Bay superstock drivers couldn't stop the Autumn Nationals Superstock title leaving the Bay. Palmerston North's Jayden Ward, who had earlier won the top 10 shootout in the 35-car class to secure grid one for the 20-lap winner takes all 28-car final produced a start to chequered flag victory.

Ward was rapt with the classy blocking his former clubmate, Gisborne-contracted Asher Rees, dished out for him.

Hawkeye and 2NZ Jason Long, who didn't qualify for the top 10, deserves kudos for the manner in which he finished second. Gisborne-contracted former Palmerston North Panther was third.

Hawke's Bay's Grant Flynn won the 10-car Hawke's Bay Super Saloon Championship by three points from clubmate and 2NZ Grahame Strong. The Auckland-contracted Kristin Vermeulen was third after Hawke's Bay's former national champion Steve Flynn conceded his start in a run-off against her with mechanical issues.

Gisborne brothers Dan and Ethan Cook finished first and second respectively in the 11-car Gold Cup for saloons.

Palmerston North-contracted Hawke's Bay champion Jason McKay won the East Coast solobike championship. Hawke's Bay riders Darrin Wilson and Michael Patey were second and third respectively.