The fast and furious hit Ruakaka when 31 drivers gathered for the Northland Car Club's Street Sprints. Jason Gill was the fastest of them all, however, taking out yesterday's event and his individual class E, ahead of Peter Johnson, and ex-pat Steve Millin, who is visiting from the United States torace in several New Zealand events. Organiser Brendon Oakden was happy the rain stayed away for the duration of the racing, keeping the track dry and fast, but he was surprised that the number of competitors was down on previous years. "I guess it has something to do with the recession," he said. "People can't afford to spend as much on their cars and things they want to do, which is affecting the sport." However, for the 31 competitors who revved-up at Ruakaka, it was a great day of racing, he said. Drivers had to manoeuvre their way around a 2.1km course on Kepa Sime Rd - and whoever managed the fastest time, won their class. The course had changed slightly from other years due to too many interruptions by the public driving through the circuit. There were six classes, with the car's engine size determining what class competitors raced in. The event has been an annual fixture on Northland Car Club's calender for the last seven years, but it was not staged last year, Oakden said. Other class winners were: Class A, won by Sam Davies, with Brian Ogle claiming Class B honours. In Class C, Carol Liston was quicker than her counterparts, while Millin won Class D. The F Class was won by Tony Cross.
