There are two full reviews for this meeting on these sites Waikaraka Park and Percy's Website so I won't go into much detail and instead just give a few of my own thoughts (some good, some not so good) on another successful meeting for WP who are definitely scoring more hits than misses this season.
Although they bravely tried something a bit different, I felt the format for the Auckland Modifieds didn't work, it could have, but you are really relying on a big field with no casualties from the first round all turning up for the second round. It also would have helped if the results from the first night were printed in the programme with perhaps an explanation of what the format was and because this was a second night of the championship you would have expected all the competitors names listed and reasons for any withdrawals. They was barely any mention of the previous meeting. The idea of three races from one meeting and three from the next would definitely feel like a more realistic championship (something often mooted on the discussion boards) but whether it is workable is another thing. It also meant that there was the odd sight of the 1nz modified at the gate as you entered but not on the track along with 25a who also was there only as a pit decoration. The racing was awesome as usual, specially enjoyed the second heat when it looked like 77s was blocking rather than racing with 3nz Foxy, I might be wrong but that's what it looked like to me, and the crowd certainly enjoyed the spectacle.
The Supersaloons were a welcome change to the usual programme and once they hit the track you are reminded what an awesome spectacle they can be when they race hard and fast (and clean) as they did in the first heat, particularly 1nz Emmerson. It's a massive shame that this class has basically become a travelling show at most tracks apart from Baypark, I doubt any club could turn out a decent field like this each week. They almost seem a relic from speedway's past. Those other relics from speedways past (at least in Auckland) the Superstocks also made an appearance but while having increased competitor numbers, they never seem to be at the track at the same time. At least the 81b of Trevor Mason will always make any race he's in watchable. Can someone convince him (or pay him) to stick an 'A' next to the number and appear every week, he's the best thing on the track in this grade.
There were a few mini-ministocks at the front gate and the kids coming in were being encouraged to sit in them and have a photo, the Lance Jennings 96a Supersaloon was also part of the display which was great PR and made for some happy kids too. The printed programme is looking a bit tired and lacking in vital information in my opinion, time for a revamp or a price drop perhaps? The crowd was less than expected and perhaps the weather which was a bit iffy was responsible for that or maybe the punters can't remember what Supersaloons are and were afraid to come, disappointing for the competitors but never the less they put on a great show.
I'm not sure what to say about the commentary performance. Mike Howe was fairly normal and did actually mention some of the racing but Aaron Drever was on another planet. Did he realise he was at WP or down at the Muddy Farmer? Made me laugh though and I suppose that's part of the job...
Meeting Rating : 6/10
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