A "wall-of-death" tangle for several contenders enabled veteran racer Bill Peat to pick up a second consecutive Auckland streetstock championship title at Waikaraka Park Speedway.
Peat, a vastly-experienced 28-year career competitor, collected his third title in the build-up to the national championships in Auckland next month.
Peat battled for the honours with stablemate Wayne Warrender, another former Waikato stockcar driver now based in Auckland, and lost the points lead before having his progress further hindered in later heats by former titleholder Tony Gavin.
But a multiple collision which forced Warrender, Morris Priest and Gavin into a wall-of-death act along the back straight on Saturday night allowed Peat back into the points hunt.
A first-heat win, coupled with a fifth in the second race and a third-heat second, returned Peat 64 points from a possible 69, and the overall title by just two points from Warrender.
Relative newcomer Lionel Mason finished third.
The action was electric all night, thanks to a strong Waikato presence, and the locals were fortunate to keep the title at home.
Stephan Wallbank won the final heat, but had been held up in earlier starts, and Waikato champion Mark McNabb took fourth overall.
Support races proved fast and entertaining. Top stockcar driver Neil McCoard went unbeaten through eight starts, fending off attacks from Dayne Wright, Chris Allen and Murray Hobbs.
Modified star Garry Parker won four races, but broke a drive line while leading the invitation final.
Parker and Rotorua star Andy Gudgeon will have work to do before the Auckland title is decided, after Gudgeon slammed the wall hard in his Chevrolet-powered Holden Barina and was lucky to escape serious injury.
Motorsport: 'Wall-of-death' lets veteran sneak through for title
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