Speedway: Wellingtonian claims Tubby Norriss Memorial

The top three finishers at the Tubby Norriss Memorial Ministocks in Paradise, Tauranga's Luke McClymont, left, Wellington's Damon Smith and Taranaki's William Hart. Photo / Supplied

It was a case of so close yet so far for Rotorua youngster Jayden Fraser at the 2018 Tubby Norriss Memorial Ministocks in Paradise speedway event.

Fraser, one of five Rotorua drivers to qualify for the top 26 in Saturday night's finals, was the top points scorer heading into the final championship race. However, a small mishap mid-race cost him any chance of a top finish. The teen, who will soon head to Australia to represent New Zealand, eventually finished eighth overall, with Ethan Clarke the top local in sixth place.

The annual two-night meeting, which attracted 131 drivers aged from 12-16 from all over the country, featured close racing through both the qualifying and finals. Some unusual refereeing calls influenced some of the night's results, however these took nothing away from eventual champion Damon Smith.

The 16-year-old from Wellington was making his third appearance at the Rotorua-based event, regarded by youth drivers as the most important championship in the country each year.

He started the championship in stunning fashion, moving from grid 25 to finish fourth in the opening race of the three-race finals series.

"You have to make the back grid a good result and I picked up lots of spots," Smith said.

A good second heat had him just two points off the lead for the third and deciding race, which featured a number of red light stoppages.

"All those reds were starting to freak me out. But I just had to chill out and race hard."

Smith took the race win and knew immediately he had done enough for the overall title.

"I knew which cars I had to beat, and by how much, so yeah, it was a good feeling," he said.

He will not be able to defend his title in 12 months' time, as he will be too old to race in the youth class.

Smith finished four points clear of Tauranga's Luke McClymont, and Taranaki racer William Hart was another three points back in third place overall.

The race meeting also included a Junior Championship, for 12 and 13-year-olds, which saw local racer Terence Dorrell finish on the podium in third place, just one point behind the winner Louis Redshaw from Palmerston North.

Redshaw was tied for first with clubmate Cody Hodge, but the Hodge team was unable to make the track in time for their runoff, and had to settle for second place.

The next race meeting at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway is on Saturday, March 10 and includes the Bay of Plenty Championships for superstocks and street stocks, as well as the crowd favourite demolition derby.

Tubby Norriss Memorial Ministocks in Paradise results

Senior Youth:
1st - Damon Smith (Wellington)
2nd -Luke McClymont (Tauranga)
3rd - William Hart (Taranaki)

Junior Youth:
1st - Louis Redshaw (Palmerston North)
2nd - Cody Hodge (Palmerston North)
3rd - Terence Dorrell (Rotorua)