After a winter layoff and a previous season that was severely affected by rained-out meetings, both organisers and drivers at MG Taranaki Stratford Speedway are raring to go for the opening meeting of the season this coming Saturday, October 28.
The promised El Nino weather pattern that will lead to a hot and dry summer has yet to be seen and the two practice sessions that had been scheduled for the first two weekends in October, along with two additional sessions that were scheduled, have all been rained out.
With some luck, the final practice session for October 21 would have run, giving competitors some time to tune and set their cars before hitting the track at race speed.
With six National titles set to be raced for at the local track this summer, including the Sentry Hill Motel New Zealand Stockcar Championship, the Plant & Fabrication Services New Zealand Modified Championship and the MC Fale Transport North Island Saloon Championship, organisers are expecting to see a number of visiting drivers throughout the season as they set up their cars for the Stratford oval prior to the championships.
The R&R Mechanical Opening night will feature six classes racing, with Superstocks, Saloons, Minisprints and Streetstocks all racing for their City of New Plymouth Classics. Youth Ministocks and the crowd favourite Stockcar class will complete the race schedule.
