Speedway: Jackson and Hinton make podium in North Island champs

Cody Hata won the North Island Modified Championship at Stratford Speedway on Saturday night. Photo / Matt Julian / Contact High Photography

Taranaki Modified competitors John Jackson and Carl Hinton raced well to finish second and third respectively in the MC Fale Transport/Gibbons Contracting North Island Modified Championships.

At Five Star Liquor Stratford Speedway on Saturday night, Jackson, who was the defending champion, made up six positions in race one to finish fifth from grid 11, came home second in race two from grid four and third in race three from grid seven.

Hinton finished third in race one from grid nine, won race two from grid two and placed seventh in race three from grid 11.

Despite the many cars they passed or the incredibly fast speed they were racing at, it was Auckland racer Cody Hata who was the bravest and fastest on the night, making daring outside passes and doing the work he needed to do to ensure he was on the top step of the podium at the completion of the three 20-lap races.

Hata came second in race one, sixth in race two and won race three from grid four on his way to victory lane.

Brayden Shaw (# 71) won the Adult Ministock City of New Plymouth Classic on Saturday night. Kurt Gardiner (# 81) was second. Photo / Matt Julian / Contact High Photography

On the same night the Streetstock and Stockcar classes raced for their Best Pairs trophies.

Jared Pryce and Blair Ladd were the most consistent drivers in the 14-car street stock field and relished the smooth track left by the Modifieds with the whole class racing with speed all night.

The pair claimed first place ahead of Dylan Smith and Dillan Pirimona who were second and Shaun Hall and Liam Williams were third.

A full field of 30 Stockcars contested their event with Kylee Symes and Phillip Gargan showcasing great race craft to ensure they stayed at the top of the table and won the Best Pairs.

Tony Milham and Mark Woods were second while Bevan Phillips and Zac Reid nabbed third place.

Hailey James (Whanganui) gets sandwiched between two other cars during Stockcar racing at Stratford Speedway on Saturday night. Photo / Matt Julian / Contact High Photography

Adult Ministocks raced for their City of New Plymouth Classic event.

Brayden Shaw, running a fresh new engine, displayed good speed to finish third in race one before winning the next two to win the event by three points from Kurt Gardiner who beat Bronson Pierce in a run-off after the two were tied on points.

Seventeen Superstocks were on hand and raced three heats before competing in the Central Taranaki Electrical 1k feature that was won by Blair Uhlenberg who pocketed $300.

A total of $700 was up for grabs for the driver finishing in position 10 in the 20-lap race and this was secured by Hamish Booker on the last lap when Mike Kiser who was running ahead, coasted to the infield on the last lap.

The next event at Five Star Liquor Stratford Speedway is on Boxing Night, December 26 and will feature a ramp demolition derby amongst a full race schedule.