Speedway: Tarrant steps into father's shoes

Johnny Browne passes his brother-in-law Grahame Strong. PHOTO/Warren Buckland

So much for Beatle Tarrant being the bloke to beat in Saturday's Opening Night demolition derby at Meeanee.

While Takapau's Tarrant certainly entertained with plenty of stirring during the 25-minute-23-car event his 21-year-old son Randal emerged from the old man's shadows and enhanced his reputation as a future derby king with victory honours. He did it in style with at least three huge hits on second placegetter Rebecca Armstrong of Napier who was making her derby debut in front of 2400 spectators.

"I've done 10 derbies but that's my first win. I kept picking on Rebecca because she kept going and I was surprised she did. I was also surprised my car kept going," Tarrant jnr said.

The apprentice mechanic, with Ruataniwha Automotive in Waipawa, said his $500 first prize will go towards his stockcar expenses. Before the derby, Tarrant jnr had a memorable night in the stockcar class with with second and third placings.

The 2013 East Coast champion, Hawke's Bay champion and Kuru Cup winner prevented Hawke's Bay clubmate and 2014 winner of the same three titles, Brett Loveridge, from claiming three heat wins after he halted his progress in the third.

Armstrong, whose initial goal was to complete two laps, was thrilled with her second placing and $300 prize.

"I'll definitely be back again if I can find another car. This used to be my road car and it's had it now," Armstrong said tapping her Mazda Familia. At the same time she was disappointed she let her No 1 supporter, 6-year-old son Devon, down.

"He's crying now. He expects me to be like his hero Valentino Rossi, the Italian professional motorbike rider, and win all the time."

Hawke's Bay stockcar class stalwart Tony Darroch had a memorable debut in his new EL Falcon-powered car and produced the first roll of the season, knocking his rear suspension out in the process.

"It was only a little love tap," Darroch joked as he reflected on his third heat roll of clubmate and second-season driver Peter Greaves.

Darroch also raced in the derby and went out in a blaze of glory when his car blew up five minutes from the end.

Veteran Tony Palmer was the other driver to collect a heat win in the 17-car stockcar class.

Hawke's Bay's Darren Melling won two of the three heats in an 11-strong streetstock class.

It was surprising the host club drivers allowed Gisborne visitor Ben Donaldson to have a comfortable win in the first heat.

Hawke's Bay ministock driver Regan Penn displayed classy early season form on his way to two heat wins in a 14-strong class. Hawke's Bay's former 3NZ superstock driver Thomas Stanaway was another to register two heat wins in his 12-strong class.