Saturday, March 21, 2015

Osborne and Remnant Win

Supersaloon GP and Waikato Superstocks
Huntly Speedway, 24th January 2015

A couple of visitors boosted the meagre field for the once mighty Waikato Superstock title including Mike Mac and Regan O'Brien from Hawkes Bay, along with a sprinkling of Auckland, Rotorua and Mount cars. Four locals including Aaron Alderton in his stockcar brought the field up to 13 cars. 19m Kerry Remnant took the first heat moving from up from a rear of field starting grid leading home 84b Mike MacLachlan and 45r Nick Vallance, fresh from his awesome showing at the NZ Superstock title. 5a Brad Ridland had the tank flying in heat two and lead for most of it before puncturing the right rear tyre with 2 laps to go, Remnant capitalising on Ridland's bad luck for a second win and a 3 pt lead over Vallance going into the final heat. Kris Allen driving the 24h was sitting in third place overall. Heat 3 provided some much needed action and a first turn pile up left Remnant with a flat left front tyre and brought on the reds for 84a Brent Crookes. 63a Bryce Marx lead the field and would eventually take the win. Both O'Brien and MacLachlan both retired mid race and locals Allen and Alderton would come home second and third. Remnant managed fourth place and took the overall win ahead of 45r Nick Vallance and 63a Bryce Marx.

A 20 lap winner takes all Grand Prix for the Supersaloons was the feature event of the meeting. 15 cars took the grid for the final with 16m Mark Osborne and 41b Graham Strong on the front row. Strong lead for the first lap before Osborne made his inevitable pass and then lead from that moment on. By lap 4 he had opened a gap on the field and by mid race was leading by half a lap and had already reached the back markers. So like most of the crowd I imagine, we were looking at 1nz Steve Flynn who had made a couple of passes on 63a Nige Mouat and 7m Brent Emerson. Further back 77s Blondie Chamberlain was providing the most entertainment having passed a number of cars from his grid 15 rof start and when he managed to pass 2nz Mark Grocott the crowd erupted! Unfortunately his charmed run ended soon after with a touch of the wall in turn 3 dropping him well back. 16m Osborne took the chequered flag with a massive lead for a convincing win and third NZ Grand Prix title.


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Friday, March 20, 2015

Stockcar Teams Update 8

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photos by Wal at Stockcarscene

Two more Stockcar teams meetings, one at Palmerston North and one at Kihikihi have been good for Stratford and Wanganui who have moved back to the top of the table. The newly formed Manawatu Mullets surprised everyone with a great performance reaching the final in their first appearance at the Stockcar Nats. With most of the Stockcar teams racing action completed for the season it looks as though a Rees challenge if accepted might be the only chance of toppling the Vulcans from the top of the table...

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November 8
Greenstone Park Speedway, Greymouth
Tasman Thunder def Greymouth Grizzlies

Eastern States Speedway, Blenheim
KB Cowboys def Eastern States Titans
Canterbury Crushers def KB Cowboys
Canterbury Crushers def Eastern States Titans

Paradise Valley Speedway, Rotorua
Rees Shield : Wanganui Vulcans def Rotorua Rascals

Woodford Glen Speedway, Nov 15
North vs South
KB Cowboys def Canterbury Crushers
Canterbury Crushers def Wanganui Select
KB Cowboys def Canterbury Invitation
Canterbury Invitation def Wanganui Select


Palmerston North, Nov 15
Palmerston Probables def Manawatu Steelers


Huntly Teams Meeting Night 1
Stratford Stormers def Wanganui Vulcans
Rotorua Rascals def North Island Select
Meeanee Maulers def Auckland Alleycats
Waikato Raiders def Huntly Hawks
Rotorua Rascals def Wanganui Vulcans
Stratford Stormers def North Island Select
Auckland Alleycats def Huntly Hawks
Meeanee Maulers def Waikato Raiders

Huntly Teams Meeting Night 2
Wanganui Vulcans def North Island Select
Auckland Alleycats def Huntly Hawks
Stratford Stormers def Waikato Raiders
Rotorua Rascals def Meeanee Maulers
Stratford Stormers def Rotorua Rascals
Meeanee Maulers def Waikato Raiders

At Woodford Glen, Nov 29
Tasman Thunder def Canterbury Crushers

At Greenstone Park Speedway, Greymouth
Greymouth Grizzlies def Sunset Slayers

At Waikaraka Park
Auckland City Sinnerz def Huntly Hawks

At Paradise Valley Rotorua
Rotorua Rascals def Huntly Hawks

At Meeanee Speedway, Hawkes Bay
Peter Barry Memorial
Wellington Young Guns def Meeanee Maulers 165-20
Bay Park Bulldogs def Stratford Stormers 110-85
Orange Roughies def Palmerston North Pumas 135-60
Wanganui Vulcans def Waikato Raiders 165-20
Meeanee Maulers def Stratford Stormers 100-40
Wellington Young Guns def Bay Park Bulldogs 135-60
Wanganui Vulcans def Orange Roughies 125-70
Palmerston North Pumas def Waikato Raiders 185-10
For 3rd: Palmerston North Pumas def Bay Park Bulldogs
Final: Wanganui Vulcans def Wellington Young Guns

At Top of the South Speedway, Nelson
Sunset Slayers def Tasman Thunder

At Huntly Speedway, Waikato
Huntly Hawks def Auckland City Sinnerz

NZ Stockcar Teams, Paradise Valley Rotorua
Night 1
Wellington Young Guns def Greymouth Grizzlies
Wanganui Vulcans def Baypark Bulldogs
Palmerston North Pumas def Eastern States Titans
Gisborne Gladiators def Tasman Thunder
Canterbury Crushers def Auckland Alleycats
Rotorua Rascals def Meeanee Maulers
Waikato Raiders def Stratford Stormers
Wellington Young Guns def Wanganui Vulcans
Eastern States Titans def Greymouth Grizzlies
Baypark Bulldogs def Tasman Thunder
Canterbury Crushers def Palmerston North Pumas
Gisborne Gladiators def Meeanee Maulers
Stratford Stormers def Auckland Alleycats
Rotorua Rascals def Waikato Raiders
Night 2
Gisborne Gladiators def Palmerston North Pumas
Rotorua Rascals def Stratford Stormers
Wellington Young Guns def Wanganui Vulcans
Canterbury Crushers def Waikato Raiders
Gisborne Gladiators def Rotorua Rascals
Wellington Young Guns def Canterbury Crushers
Stratford Stormers def Wanganui Vulcans
Palmerston North Pumas def Waikato Raiders
Canterbury Crushers def Rotorua Rascals
Gisborne Gladiators def Wellington Young Guns

Palmerston North Stockcar Teams Nationals
March 14th Palmerston North Showgrounds
Wanganui Vulcans def KB Cowboys
Manawatu Mullets def Wellington Young Guns
Palmerston North Pumas def Manawatu Steelers
Manawatu Steelers def Wellington Young Guns
Manawatu Mullets def Wanganui Vulcans
Palmerston North Pumas def KB Cowboys
Wanganui Vulcans def KB Cowboys
Palmerston North Pumas def Manawatu Mullets

Kihikihi Teams Invitation
Stratford Stormers def Huntly Hawks
North Island Select def Waikato Raiders
Waikato Raiders def Huntly Hawks
Stratford Stormers def North Island Select

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Stockcar Teams Update 7


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photos by Gregobro

Massive changes on the table after the 14-team NZ stockcar title at Paradise Valley (review HERE) but despite losing their crown, the Rotorua Rascals have moved to the top of the table above the Canterbury Crushers and previous leaders the Vulcans from Wanganui. The biggest movers are Gisborne of course, who took out the title and move from last place up to 8th, and the Wellington Young Guns who have a good chance to score more points at the Stockcar Nationals at Palmerston North. There is also a teams meeting at Kihikihi which should also give a few more teams a chance to grab those end of season points to move up the table. No word on whether there will be a South Island Stockcar Teams meeting this season, which is a shame as they certainly have enough clubs with teams and if the crowds at Rotorua were any indication of the events popularity, I'm guessing there would be a pretty big crowd in to watch the Titans, Thunder, Crushers, Grizzlies and Slayers. Finally a big thanks to the Rotorua Rascals for an entertaining reign as the national champs for the past year, they certainly have become one of the major players and will no doubt bounce back.

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November 8
Greenstone Park Speedway, Greymouth
Tasman Thunder def Greymouth Grizzlies

Eastern States Speedway, Blenheim
KB Cowboys def Eastern States Titans
Canterbury Crushers def KB Cowboys
Canterbury Crushers def Eastern States Titans

Paradise Valley Speedway, Rotorua
Rees Shield : Wanganui Vulcans def Rotorua Rascals

Woodford Glen Speedway, Nov 15
North vs South
KB Cowboys def Canterbury Crushers
Canterbury Crushers def Wanganui Select
KB Cowboys def Canterbury Invitation
Canterbury Invitation def Wanganui Select


Palmerston North, Nov 15
Palmerston Probables def Manawatu Steelers


Huntly Teams Meeting Night 1
Stratford Stormers def Wanganui Vulcans
Rotorua Rascals def North Island Select
Meeanee Maulers def Auckland Alleycats
Waikato Raiders def Huntly Hawks
Rotorua Rascals def Wanganui Vulcans
Stratford Stormers def North Island Select
Auckland Alleycats def Huntly Hawks
Meeanee Maulers def Waikato Raiders

Huntly Teams Meeting Night 2
Wanganui Vulcans def North Island Select
Auckland Alleycats def Huntly Hawks
Stratford Stormers def Waikato Raiders
Rotorua Rascals def Meeanee Maulers
Stratford Stormers def Rotorua Rascals
Meeanee Maulers def Waikato Raiders

At Woodford Glen, Nov 29
Tasman Thunder def Canterbury Crushers

At Greenstone Park Speedway, Greymouth
Greymouth Grizzlies def Sunset Slayers

At Waikaraka Park
Auckland City Sinnerz def Huntly Hawks

At Paradise Valley Rotorua
Rotorua Rascals def Huntly Hawks

At Meeanee Speedway, Hawkes Bay
Peter Barry Memorial
Wellington Young Guns def Meeanee Maulers 165-20
Bay Park Bulldogs def Stratford Stormers 110-85
Orange Roughies def Palmerston North Pumas 135-60
Wanganui Vulcans def Waikato Raiders 165-20
Meeanee Maulers def Stratford Stormers 100-40
Wellington Young Guns def Bay Park Bulldogs 135-60
Wanganui Vulcans def Orange Roughies 125-70
Palmerston North Pumas def Waikato Raiders 185-10
For 3rd: Palmerston North Pumas def Bay Park Bulldogs
Final: Wanganui Vulcans def Wellington Young Guns

At Top of the South Speedway, Nelson
Sunset Slayers def Tasman Thunder

 At Huntly Speedway, Waikato
Huntly Hawks def Auckland City Sinnerz

NZ Stockcar Teams, Paradise Valley Rotorua
Night 1
Wellington Young Guns def Greymouth Grizzlies
Wanganui Vulcans def Baypark Bulldogs
Palmerston North Pumas def Eastern States Titans
Gisborne Gladiators def Tasman Thunder
Canterbury Crushers def Auckland Alleycats
Rotorua Rascals def Meeanee Maulers
Waikato Raiders def Stratford Stormers
Wellington Young Guns def Wanganui Vulcans
Eastern States Titans def Greymouth Grizzlies
Baypark Bulldogs def Tasman Thunder
Canterbury Crushers def Palmerston North Pumas
Gisborne Gladiators def Meeanee Maulers
Stratford Stormers def Auckland Alleycats
Rotorua Rascals def Waikato Raiders
Night 2
Gisborne Gladiators def Palmerston North Pumas
Rotorua Rascals def Stratford Stormers
Wellington Young Guns def Wanganui Vulcans
Canterbury Crushers def Waikato Raiders
Gisborne Gladiators def Rotorua Rascals
Wellington Young Guns def Canterbury Crushers
Stratford Stormers def Wanganui Vulcans
Palmerston North Pumas def Waikato Raiders
Canterbury Crushers def Rotorua Rascals
Gisborne Gladiators def Wellington Young Guns

Stockcar Teams Update 6

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photo by Karen Burns Facebook

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photo by Rees Race Cars Facebook

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photo by Richard Horne Facebook


On the eve of the NZ Stockcar Teams title at Paradise Valley this weekend, four teams have been in action over the last two weeks with the Sunset Slayers from Westport picking up their first win over the Tasman Thunder at Nelson, while the Huntly Hawks were also victorious notching their first win this season beating the City Sinnerz on home soil at Huntly Speedway. Above is a glimpse of the new Gisborne Gladiators livery on Pete Rees tank. The Gladiators will be a bit of a mystery package this weekend not having raced at all... I have a feeling they will do well!

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November 8
Greenstone Park Speedway, Greymouth
Tasman Thunder def Greymouth Grizzlies

Eastern States Speedway, Blenheim
KB Cowboys def Eastern States Titans
Canterbury Crushers def KB Cowboys
Canterbury Crushers def Eastern States Titans

Paradise Valley Speedway, Rotorua
Rees Shield : Wanganui Vulcans def Rotorua Rascals

Woodford Glen Speedway, Nov 15
North vs South
KB Cowboys def Canterbury Crushers
Canterbury Crushers def Wanganui Select
KB Cowboys def Canterbury Invitation
Canterbury Invitation def Wanganui Select


Palmerston North, Nov 15
Palmerston Probables def Manawatu Steelers


Huntly Teams Meeting Night 1
Stratford Stormers def Wanganui Vulcans
Rotorua Rascals def North Island Select
Meeanee Maulers def Auckland Alleycats
Waikato Raiders def Huntly Hawks
Rotorua Rascals def Wanganui Vulcans
Stratford Stormers def North Island Select
Auckland Alleycats def Huntly Hawks
Meeanee Maulers def Waikato Raiders

Huntly Teams Meeting Night 2
Wanganui Vulcans def North Island Select
Auckland Alleycats def Huntly Hawks
Stratford Stormers def Waikato Raiders
Rotorua Rascals def Meeanee Maulers
Stratford Stormers def Rotorua Rascals
Meeanee Maulers def Waikato Raiders

At Woodford Glen, Nov 29
Tasman Thunder def Canterbury Crushers

At Greenstone Park Speedway, Greymouth
Greymouth Grizzlies def Sunset Slayers

At Waikaraka Park
Auckland City Sinnerz def Huntly Hawks

At Paradise Valley Rotorua
Rotorua Rascals def Huntly Hawks

At Meeanee Speedway, Hawkes Bay
Peter Barry Memorial
Wellington Young Guns def Meeanee Maulers 165-20
Bay Park Bulldogs def Stratford Stormers 110-85
Orange Roughies def Palmerston North Pumas 135-60
Wanganui Vulcans def Waikato Raiders 165-20
Meeanee Maulers def Stratford Stormers 100-40
Wellington Young Guns def Bay Park Bulldogs 135-60
Wanganui Vulcans def Orange Roughies 125-70
Palmerston North Pumas def Waikato Raiders 185-10
For 3rd: Palmerston North Pumas def Bay Park Bulldogs
Final: Wanganui Vulcans def Wellington Young Guns

At Top of the South Speedway, Nelson
Sunset Slayers def Tasman Thunder

 At Huntly Speedway, Waikato
Huntly Hawks def Auckland City Sinnerz

Waikaraka Park Grandstand update

Here is an update printed in the Onehunga Communtiy News, March 2015. Much more positive than a few months ago thats for sure. Hopefully we get to keep the temporary stands and they move them to the back straight to get more atmosphere in the place, something sadly missing last Friday for the qualifying night on the Teams Nats, but more on that later... hopefully you can read this, unfortunately I can't make photos much bigger which is the only problem I have with this website, but I might investigate a different style of page which is much more photo friendly as it seems to be the most popular aspect, any feedback appreciated.

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Sunday, March 08, 2015

Gladiators!

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NZ Stockcar Teams Finals Night
Paradise Valley Raceway, Rotorua
February 28, 2015

What a difference a day makes, brilliant sunshine as Rotorua turned on a scorcher, and little did we know the night ahead would be one of the best nights of racing this season. High drama, controversy and a first time winner of the event were several of the highlights that would keep the crowd buzzing and the referees busy all night. Six teams had been eliminated from the competition and we now had to sort out our quarter and semi finalists. The much anticipated showdown between Gisborne and Palmerston North would be our opening race.

Gisborne Gladiators v Palmerston North Pumas
Dare I say it, last season this would most like have been 4 Pumas cars trying to avoid a lone Bruce Harding with 3 wrecked Gladiator cars spread around the track. Going on last nights performance the Pumas were now the underdogs! 1nz Asher Rees took the lead immediately from 35p Jayden Ward but as they completed the first lap Ward's car began a series of backfires and pulled to the infield. 11p Peter Rees was spun early by William Humphries before Ron Tye gave the tank a hard hit on the main straight. Harding held up 36p Darrell Wallace - the Puma runner, while Rees Snr did the blocking for Asher. 127p Ethan Rees joined Asher in the running and with the Pumas down to 3 cars the writing was already on the wall. Ron Tye attempted to restart Wards car from the infield to no avail. Humphries was ploughed into the wall in turn 2 while Ethan and Harding finished off Ron Tye.

Rotorua Rascals v Stratford Stormers
The Rascals were down one car with Brent Stewart not able to front, Steve Gray sat out the race as the sub. Both Damian Orr and Kylee Symes appeared to have problems during the warm up laps but both made the start. Shannon Orr was first to taste the concrete put into the wall between turn 1 and 2, 402s Andrew Dodunski taking the lead. Three Rascals cars were chasing and when Dodunski was caught Damian Orr and Nick Johnson took the lead. Johnson then removed 406s Kylee Symes. Hayden Barker took Dale Stewart to the wall before we had our first 'grass cut' on turn one of the night according to the commentators. I missed it and it was pinged by the refs so lets move on shall we as there were plenty more to talk about later in the meeting! 404s Todd Duthie had the last opportunity to get Damian Orr and managed to hold him enough for the locals to worry as Dodunski almost caught the leader but Orr able to get to the line for the win. Rascals into the semis.

Wellington Young Guns v Wanganui Vulcans
This was the race Dale Robertson showed he is the master of stockcar teams racing and worth his weight in gold. He grabbed the lead from the get-go chased by 96v Francis Potaka and 88v Blair Lockett. 55w Paul Gaskin rode up over the front wheel of Lockett while Dion Mooney blocked 54w Hilton Parker. Robertson had a big lead by this stage but just managed to sneak past an awaiting Mooney. Mooney was then dealt to in turn 2 and Robertson put in the killer shot but at a cost spinning and puncturing the right front tyre. Red lights for debris with Robertson a lap up on the field. 55w and 52w catch Potaka and send him into the wall while Robertson was attacked by Barron. Potaka's bumper is completely wrecked in turn 3 and at this stage only 69v Ian Barron is running for the Vulcans. Hilton Parker provided the blocking for Dale who cruised to the win but compared with the two other quarter finals so far, the Young Guns had sustained a bit of damage.

Waikato Raiders v Canterbury Crushers
Almost the whole Canterbury team were at the gate for the 3 min bell. 92h Dave Moore put 5c Michael Arras into the wall in turn 1 as Tyson Wootton took the lead ahead of Josh Prentice and Kyle Lane. Hutchby stops Prentice as 7c lane passes Wootton for the lead. Lane then spun Moore and unfortunately for the Raiders Wootton hits the tanker also. Hutchby again doing awesome blocking manages to stop Arras but Lane slipped through but his charmed run ends when he attempts to hit Moore and spins himself. 97h Wootton again regains the lead. Hutch spins Prentice and 3 H cars are running together as Hutchby slows to block Lane. Things were looking great for the Raiders at this point with 94h and 97h running together in the lead but with Lane and Arras chasing and gaining ground the H cars seem to be taking it too casually. Ricco Gray takes both Moore and Hutchby to the wall, Wootton is spun and a final dash to the line for the win between Lane and 94c Mark Caldwell, the Raider is spun and goes over the line backwards with Lane credited the win on the ELS by 0.23 seconds. Raiders pull up to the start line for the chequered flag but are waved away in a crushing blow. Kyle Lane had a superb race and get the Crushers through to the semis.

Semi Final 1
Rotorua Rascals v Gisborne Gladiators
Almost the entire field ended up on the grass as the green flag fell leaving 583r Shannon Orr to take a healthy lead, 11g Peter Rees following as the Gladiators runner. 8g Harding stopped 358r Dale Stewart while 1nz Asher Rees began blocking allowing 11g into the lead ahead of 3 Rascals cars, 358r, 583r and 835r. The first pivotal moment happens as 11g Rees is put up the wall in turn 2 by 353r Steve Gray and Shannon Orr regains the lead but just as the Rascals look to have the upper hand a massive hit by Damian Orr on Harding backfires as something goes wrong with the car ending his race. Three Gladiators cars are now racing only two Rascals but the Rotorua boys are in the box seat with the lead. 127p Ethan Rees spins Dale Stewart while Harding slows Shannon Orr, Orr goes wide and hesitates it seems but appeared to have damage to the front right wheel and Harding smashes him into the wall in turn 2. Ethan Rees takes the lead and despite a desperate late lunge by Gray, 127g crosses the line for the win and a finals berth. Post race Bruce Harding's car is weighed and pronounced overweight and he is disqualified from the race and stood down for the meeting. The Gladiators keep the win but are down probably the best blocker in the business for the final.

Semi Final 2
Wellington Young Guns v Canterbury Crushers
This was the race that had all the controversy as the first real call for a pole line infringement was made and would delay the final as both teams argued the point. Matt Hand in the 8c tank made his debut at the meeting and couldn't have been given a harder race to join in the fun! 6c Jay Knight pushed 53w Blake Ellett up the wall then sped off for turn 1 only to be collected by 51w Dale Robertson. Richard Gaskin had the lead from 7c Kyle Lane and then the red lights came on and all hell breaks loose. Dale Robertson is sent infield for the pole line cut on Knight and is not happy to say the least. 54w Hilton Parker then puts 6c Jay Knight up the wall bringing on the red lights and bringing it back to 3 v 3 cars again. Ellett leads Lane and Prentice but Richard Gaskin has sustained a flat tyre. The next big controversial moment is when 9c Prentice repeats the exact move in turn 1 to remove Ellett and the red light is not thrown, Kyle Lane takes the lead. 8c Matt Hand puts in a huge hit on Parker in turn 1 as Kyle Lane takes the win for the Crushers. After a very long delay on results, the Crushers are excluded from the result and Wellington are awarded the win for the shot that removed Ellett with just a lap or two to go.

Grand Final
Gisborne Gladiators v Wellington Young Guns
Both teams appeared with only 5 cars and 92g Brett Lloyd and 55w Paul Gaskin sat out the final as subs. 31g James Kirk would make his debut teams race in the NZ Title final in an all tank Gisborne team along with the three Rees cars. Gisborne won pole and 1nz Asher Rees took the lead from 53w Blake Ellett. Then a hit by Peter Rees on 51w Dale Robertson in turn 1 brought on the red lights and everyone sat waiting to see if the dreaded pole line cutting would rear its ugly head again. Sure enough as the official ran over towards the 11g tank he was waved to the infield. Upon the restart two Young Guns cars took 127p Ethan Rees to the wall in turn 1 and 31g Kirk had sustained damage to the left rear wheel showering sparks from the wheel guard. 53w started the chase for Asher Rees and Robertson just missed him with a lunge pulling out in front of the 1nz tank. At this point 31g Kirk really impressed holding up two Welly cars before smashing 52w Richard Gaskin in turn 2.  31g kept clearing the way for Asher as he reeled off the laps, 127p Ethan was held up in turn 3 before he in turn got Ellett in turn 2 leaving 3 Gisborne cars against 2 Wellington. 52w had one last go on the final lap unable to stop the national champ as he crossed the line for an emphatic win for the Gladiators.

The only downer for me from this meeting was that the event will move from Paradise Valley for next years running, nothing against the Gisborne club but what we witnessed over the weekend was superb despite the weather and the logistical nightmare of getting 14 teams organised. Everything ran smoothly and it was a great championship. Well done everyone involved.

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