A great opening night was had by all at Stratford Speedway on Sunday night. Three classes opened the season racing for their City of New Plymouth Classic Titles - superstocks, stockcars and saloons - and all fronted with good numbers and treated the spectators to hard, fast and action-packed racing.
Twenty-three stockcars lined up for the first race of the night - but only 14 for the fourth race. Bevan Phillips (72s) won the title after a two-way run off with Todd Duthie (21s), while Tyler Walker (33s) was third.
Superstocks saw 20 cars taking the track for the first race, dropping to 13 for the fourth race. Visiting Rotorua driver Tony Fabish (95r) won the title with Paul Johnson (82s) second and another visitor, Graeme Barr (3NZ) in third.
Saloons started and finished the night with 12 cars competing for the title. Thomas Korff (16s) took the win - and the title from his father, Craig Korff (8s), who won it last season. Second place went to John Young (28s) with Ash Cook (4s) third.
The saloons had the most spectacular crash of the night with Russell Gorrie's car (51s) being thrown into the air and landing upside down on the wall in the second race. In true Gorrie Motorsport style, Russell and crew worked hard to get the car sorted and back on the track for the third race.