Speedway to go off with a bang

THE reason Gisborne kids have been on their best behaviour this week can now be revealed.
Eastland Group Raceway roars back into life tomorrow with the now traditional Family Fireworks opening meeting.
Following an off-season extension of the pit area, minor reshape of the big banked track and installation of a state-of-the-art IT system, Gisborne Speedway Club is ready to welcome back competitors and spectators alike.
Big things are expected this season from the streetstock class ahead of the New Zealand championship here early in the New Year.
The January event is shaping as one of the biggest ever hosted by the Awapuni track, with talk of 100 competitors lining up for a shot at the title.
Gisborne-registered cars should regularly number around 20 this season, with many local drivers making the switch to new and improved machinery in anticipation of the national champs.
The stockcar class will be looking to build on the success of last season, which saw the Gisborne Gladiators squad place third at the New Zealand teams champs in Wellington.
Of particular interest will be the debut of Sam Hughes behind the wheel of his new Rees-built tank.
The North Island stockcar championship will be raced here in late February.
While saloon numbers in Gisborne continue to grow, production saloon stocks remain steady.
Last seasons point’s winner Blake Dear is back with a brand new car while former front-runner Mike Hall is returning to racing in his old car. Youth competitor of the year Ethan Cook will be one to watch, joining the ranks in a car brought from Rotorua.
The sidecar and solo bike classes will boast numbers of about half-a-dozen this season while around 20 youngsters are raring to hit the track in the youth ministock division.
Cousins Dylan and Ryan MacGregor will again fly the flag for the TQ midget class, with both running water-cooled machines this season.
If last weekend’s final pre-season practice is anything to go by, dirt track racing fans can look forward to good-sized fields in most classes for tomorrow’s Lloyd Contractor’s-sponsored double points opener.
Racing starts at 7pm, with two full rounds of speedway action ahead of a $10,000 fireworks display. The night will end with a final round of feature races.