New sponsor keeps drivers living life in the Fast Lane at Whanganui's Oceanview Speedway

Celebrating the new sponsorship are: Mike Palmer (FLS), Bob Smith (WSSC patron), Daryl James (WSSC president) and Peter Sloman (FLS). Photo / Supplied

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to start your engines because the Wanganui Stockcar and Speedway Club season kicks into gear in October and they have a brand new sponsor.

Former stockcar racer Rob Miers has come on board with his business Fast Lane Spares Ltd, whose employees Peter Sloman and Mike Palmer will be known to many in Whanganui.

All of the meetings this season will be held in the evening, starting with opening night on October 21, which will feature all classes and the first of two fireworks displays.

WSSC president Daryl James said the club is looking forward to the season getting under way.

"The next few seasons are going to be huge for the sport in Wanganui," James said.

"With the New Zealand Superstocks Championship at Oceanview in January 2020 and the North Island Superstocks the following season, it is an exciting time for the club."

The speedway will be known as Fast Lane Spares Oceanview Family Speedway and James said the new relationship would help to make the facility better for competitors and spectators.

"We have really appreciated the support we've had from [former sponsor] Supercheap Auto," he said.

"This new partnership is for five years, and both the club and Fast Lane Spares are looking forward to building a really strong strategic relationship."

Fast Lane Spares sells a range of race car parts, including Hoosier tyres, seats and safety equipment.

Other meetings of note include the Charlie Berntsen Trophy Stockcars, the Elite
Mechanical Stockcar Cup and the West Coast Superstocks.

The season will conclude with the Superstock Memorial races, a demolition derby and fireworks on Saturday, April 6 2019.

Fast Lane Spares' Sloman is a former New Zealand Saloon Car champion and was stoked to be supporting his former club.

"Wanganui has always been a club that punches above its weight," he said.

"The track surface here has been as good as anywhere in the country in the past few seasons and that's what keeps racers coming back."