The Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes Superstock team drivers will be defending their title at this year's ENZED SuperStock Teams Champs. Photo / Ben Le Prou, LePro Photography
The Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes Superstock team drivers will be defending their title at this year's ENZED SuperStock Teams Champs. Photo / Ben Le Prou, LePro Photography
This year's winner could be anyone, says one of the Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes Superstock team drivers, headed to Palmerston North to defend their title at the ENZED SuperStock Teams Champs in Palmerston North over Waitangi weekend.
Six drivers - Quinn Ryan (46B), Randal Tarrant (66B), Mike McLachlan (84B), Quintin Butcher(98B), Hayden Hart (166B) and Kairyn O'Brien (52B) - are returning to defend their title.
Thirteen teams from around the country will take part - each team has four cars on the track at a time with one reserve.
The goal is to get as many cars across the line as possible, with fast cars and blockers.
For 27-year-old Tarrant, it will be his fourth time heading to the teams champs.
"You've got to have reliable cars. You can't be breaking down. It's also about strategy and knowing which cars to block."
He said there were now about eight teams in NZ capable of taking out the title, as the sport had grown in recent years.
"There are more numbers than ever before.
"It's so close to being professional."
Tarrant, who sold his car last year for a deposit to purchase a house, had a new car and was looking forward to the atmosphere.
More than 19,000 people expected to turn out to the competition and driver Randal Tarrant said the sport had grown in popularity. Photo / Ben Le Prou, LePro Photography
More than 19,000 people are expected to turn out to the competition at Central Energy Trust Arena.
"Everyone paints themselves in their provincial colours.
"This is the biggest event in the superstock calendar."
