Huntly Fireworks Spectacular

Fireworks Spectacular, Huntly Speedway
Meeting 2

This was a real up and down meeting for the Huntly club. The good stuff first, the Stockcar racing was awesome. Three heats of full-on action and a field of 38 stocks that left no room for hiding, also with that many cars on the track, having more pace really didn't help that much - it was going to take a lot of driving skill to negotiate your way around the oval.

The first heat had you looking in all directions with action a plenty but through the chaos, 116h Steve Halse managed to take a fine win but with smoke coming from the engine bay signs were not good. Unfortunately oil temp problems meant he wouldn't return for heats 2 and 3. One of about four Auckland cars, 95a Gary Lonergan was hampered constantly by 6h Lindsay Trotter, 85h Mike Boldero was the first rollover of the night and 286h Glenn Woods had a massive coming together on turn three that wrecked his front end and his night too. 81h Rinso had issues with a collapsed right front but still managed good speed and a finish. Considering this was heat one, the massive crowd on hand were in for a special night.

116h Steve Halse
55h Neville Hazelton
36h Mark Caldwell
99h Mark Powell
77h Kevin Ngakai

The number of missing cars in heat two confirmed how much carnage there had been in the first race as only 26 cars emerged from the pits. Into the first corner and 4h took out 333a Fergusson, 45a Glen Taylor was given a ride on the bonnet of 71h Wootten, and basically all Auckland cars were set upon. 88h Justin Hutchby was the main instigator hitting anyone and anything putting himself in line for the stirrer of the night award. 5h Andre Stenson had the misfortune of hitting a spinning car on turn three with a sickening hit but appeared to be unhurt. 36h Mark Caldwell taking the win.

36h Mark Caldwell
81h Rodney Smythe
99h Mark Powell
95a Gary Lonergan
34h Anton Leek

Heat three managed to muster 25 cars. Now due to the sound issues (more on this later) we had no idea what the points were or who was in the running but I did notice the 95a Lonergan machine came out with a new silver paint job which had me thinking he must be in with a chance, so I spent most of the race focussed on him and 242a Bernie Fox. Heat 2 winner Caldwell was spun on turn 3 of the first lap. That man Hutchby made Fox's life hell and along with 218h Aaron Alderton, they tried valiantly to put Fox up the wall for at least half a lap but like old foxes, the wiley veteran managed to continue on. Meanwhile Lonergan was attacked by almost everyone it seemed and was entertaining to watch as he evaded all attacks until he was forced on to the grass, then hit and spun well off the track. The car stalled and he lost a lot of ground but still managed to get it going and finish. I had no idea who had won the race or the Hazelton Memorial as I headed for the carpark to avoid being stuck in the massive crowd leaving but Macgors has come through and I can tell you 99h Mark Powell won the final heat and was 1st overall with 88h Hutchby deservedly taking the stirrer award.

99h Mark Powell
81h Rodney Smythe
55h Neville Hazelton
37h Ben Caldwell
36h Mark Caldwell

Now the not so good, the sound system was a complete disaster. Most of the night was spent in silence or feedback. I know they did all they could to fix it, but I'm just saying it shows how much we now rely on the commentary as a basic part of our enjoyment of the show. It's hard to believe with a crowd that big you could have little of no atmosphere at times. Its also a reminder that the guys behind the mic really are an asset (or liabilty) to any club. The carparking was a nightmare when leaving, as cars were parked in rows of three, so if (like me) you were in the second row you had to wait for someone behind or in front to leave so you had a gap to exit. Some of the support racing was not so great and I think a couple of the proddy guys were trying to win the Alex Gillian stirrers award with some of the deliberate contact in their racing.

Anyway I will end on a positive, the Superstock racing was good with the battle between 751h Bill Clarkson Jnr and 71h Tony Wootten. 28h Glen Drabble won the first heat, 62h Dayne Conder took out heat two and the feature. In the second heat 8h Dave Roigard spun the 751h tank just short of the finish line and 71h T-boned him big time leaving a rather sick looking tank to be removed from the track and not making it out for the feature. I thought the shot was a bit dubious but don't ever accuse me of saying Superstocks shouldn't hit, perhaps the gap around him was tight. I'm guessing that once Clarkson is fully dialled in there might be some paybacks. Finally, the fireworks display was one of the best I've ever seen at a speedway - excellent show. Lets hope the sound system is all go for the two-night teams meeting next up for Huntly and that the stockcar action is as good, or if possible, even better.

Meeting rating : 6/10