Lights out!

Stockcar Double Trouble Fireworks Meeting
Waikaraka Park, Auckland

Last week it was sound problems at Huntly, sadly this week it was the lighting at Waikaraka Park that did the damage. Whereas the team at Huntly were able to muck on through and complete the meeting, WP had no option other than to abandon the show after the stockcar boys had had there second heat. I was disappointed, but it would have been far more disappointing for the team at WP because they had a MASSIVE crowd, completely full pits including a few cars parked in the grass section by the entrance (which is a good option by the way) and the first round of racing had been top notch. Also can I mention we had perfect weather too... sometimes you just can't catch a break.

So no rating for this meeting, completely beyond the clubs control just like Huntly last week. Of what I did see, the two Stockcar heats were great and I'm sure the third was going to be carnage. Krizo was back to his best and gave Huntly visitor 54h a real Waikaraka howdy. He also gave 741a Chatfield a massive punt into the turn 4 wall in heat one. 29a Scott Tennant had the car flying in heat one and took his maiden victory but was given the Krizo treatment in heat two and had to be retrieved off the wall. 34a Mark Wearing took the heat two victory. Mr Spectacular 99a Shane McInteer was flying in the decent-sized Supersaloon field and I have to say seeing those two new "wedges" from Baypark 46m Matt Smith and 6m Garry Edwards was like the first time Darren Gray and Tony Mac came to WP in their T-Macs, they both look freakin' awesome and were flying on track too. Immaculate presentation and whether you are a fan of these cars or not, in light of a week that was dominated by how professional and promotable speedway is - cars like these are where I would put my money. Big ups to everyone involved. 351a Paul Vasey took an emphatic victory in their one hit out for the night putting quite a bit of daylight between himself and a classy field of Superstocks including a big contingent of Rotorua cars. 135r Scott Hewson came second from 99r Decke and 23h Ashton in 4th.

Lastly a big thanks to the drivers that went out to entertain during the downtime and to the commentary team who handled the situation well. Stockcars 741a and 33a had the best "pushback burnout" by far, smelled good too. Also I want to mention something that maybe a few people missed, John Duffy one of the commentators who gets his fair share of abuse on these here speedway sites (a great voice for mime) is the first guy that's ever bothered to mention the difference between Superstocks and Stockcars that I can recall - even mentioned the reason why Superstocks don't hit as much these days due to costs and that the class had evolved and changed - unlike some of the fans who expect teams style racing each week. It was a simple thing to do and considering the type of crowd who were in last night, was appropriate. Better luck next meeting...