From the restart, the remaining three Warriors were in a pack on the opposite side of the track from Gisborne's remaining cars, and it took them a lap to reset. Although they managed to momentarily stop Tim Ross and Ethan Rees, and even spin Ross out, Marshall, Shaun Smith and Elias Dykstra were unable to deliver a telling blow and eliminate the Gisborne flyers. Gisborne took the win by 140 points to 55.
With Kells out, Zane Dykstra came into the team to make him the third debutant on the night for the second race, against the Manawatu Mustangs.
The Warriors immediately went on the attack with Elias Dykstra putting in a race-ending stop on Brendon Tye, shearing Tye's right front wheel from the car. Chad Ace was next to feel the Warriors' aggression, coming under attack from both Dykstras and Smith as Marshall streaked into the race lead. Zane Dykstra retired from the race shortly after with engine issues.
As the laps counted down, and with Rebecca Barr being the sole remaining undamaged Mustangs car running against three Warriors, Marshall held his nerve, and took the race win, the first for the Warriors at Teams Champs since the semi-final win over the Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes exactly six years previously.
Smith however couldn't make it home as he was put on his side by Barr, but it was too little, too late for the Mustangs. The Warriors' 120-65 win put them in eighth place overall after the first night's racing, earning them a Tier Two semi-final race against the Auckland Allstars on Sunday night.
There was little rest on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Both Dykstra cars needed extensive work, seeing Elias' car going to 2J's Engineering in Palmerston North around 2.30am on Sunday morning for steelwork replacement, and Zane's motor was removed overnight, and delivered to Hartley Engines for a rebuild including new bearings and a polishing of the crankshaft.
Back in Whanganui, Shaun Smith's crew swung into action on Sunday morning replacing Kells' car's gearbox, alternator and starter motor, and repairing and replacing steelwork on Smith's machine. Marshall was the one exception, with the 57V car just needing a general check-over and a wash!
All five cars were out in Sunday night's Grand Parade, and were soon gridding up to race the Allstars. That's when things started to go pear-shaped.
Elias Dykstra along with a couple of Auckland cars, called for a three-minute bell at the pit gate in order to make last-minute adjustments. He then noticed air leaking from the left rear tyre, and the Warriors crew raced to replace the wheel. Dykstra gridded up in pole position, but was then sent to the infield by Speedway NZ officials for having exceeded the three minute time limit to complete repairs. He was joined there by Auckland flyer Gary Lonergan.
Dykstra's exclusion saw Shane Kells called up, but the car sounded off, and Kells' race was over when he was slammed into the wall by Jamie Ferguson. The Warriors again went into attack mode, with Zane Dykstra disabling the cars of Craig Chatfield and Robbie Mabey within the space of a lap, and Marshall attacking Ferguson, bringing him to a halt.
Cody McKee had taken the lead early for Auckland, and with the winner to progress, Smith had to take off in pursuit leaving the blocking to Dykstra and Marshall. Sadly however, both of their cars had suffered from front suspension and steering damage, and although they didn't give up trying, they couldn't stop the flying McKee. Smith came home in second place, with Dykstra and Marshall filling the next two places, Dykstra having been pushed over the line by his teammate.
Rotorua took out the Teams Champs title, their first since 1986, stunning Wellington Wildcats in the semi-final, and then knocking over 2019 champions the Christchurch Eagles in an absorbing final. With a young team which has gained experience over the last two seasons, there is definitely some synergy with where the Warriors are currently placed.
Warriors' manager Cameron Jurgens, while disappointed not to have beaten Auckland, was thrilled with the progress his team had made.
"The drivers have committed to the team and to one another, and I couldn't be more proud of the effort they put in this weekend," Jurgens said.
The Warriors will race again this season, when for the first time in many years, they have entered the Auckland Teams Nationals next month. Jurgens said that every time they race together they will get better, and believes the Warriors are poised to become a real force in the sport.
Meanwhile action will resume on Saturday night at Fast Lane Spares Oceanview Family Speedway with the running of the West Coast Stockcar and Production Saloon Championships.
