Speedway: Taranaki drivers on podium

Jarrod MacBeth

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

Taranaki Modified competitors John Jackson and Carl Hinton raced well to come home second and third respectively in the M.C Fale Transport/Gibbons Contracting North Island Modified Championship that was held 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 eleven, came home second in race two from grid four and third in race three from grid seven while Hinton finished third in race one from grid nine, won race two from grid two and placed seventh in race three from grid eleven.

Despite the many cars that they passed or the incredibly fast speed that they were racing at, it was Auckland racer Cody Hata (pictured) 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 twenty lap races. Hata recorded second in race one, sixth in race two and won race three from grid four on his way to victory lane.

On the same night both the Streetstock and Stockcar classes raced for their Best Pairs trophies. Jared Pryce and Blair Ladd were the most consistent drivers in the fourteen car Streetstock field that 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 where third.

A full field of thirty 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.

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. $700 was up for grabs for the driver finishing in position ten in the twenty 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 26th and will feature a ramp demolition derby amongst a full race schedule.