After 12 brutal heats the four semi finalists have been found for tonight’s ENZED New Zealand Super Stock Teams Championships at Robertson Holden International Speedway, Palmerston North.
Locals, the Palmerston North Panthers, club mates the Manawatu Mustangs, the Rotorua Rebels and the Nelson Tigers will all not only try and destroy, but also out think each other in the semi finals.
A near capacity crowd packed into Arena Manawatu stadium in Palmerston North on Friday night to see qualifying. The problem this event has is that there’s so much hype and expectation to live up to, but just like every other year, the racing delivered.
The Panthers defeated the Hawkes Bay Hawkeyes and then sealed their finals birth with a hard fought win over the Great Britain Lions in the final event of the night. In wet conditions Peter Rees led the race against the Lions, while the rain was falling Rees was sensationally chased down by Daniel Wainman and rolled off the end of the straight. Rees was smacked up the wall by Wainman with such force that he went over and landed back on his wheels. The red lights came on as Rees’ car caught fire but bizarrely after the flames were clearly extinguished Rees was able to continue the race.
Rees was later quoted as saying “getting help when the car is on fire is not outside assistance,” but later admitted he was “surprised” at being allowed to continue.
The controversial call didn’t affect the end result as Scott Miers cruised to victory.
The so called Palmerston North b team, the Mustangs were also impressive putting both the Stratford Scrappers and Waikato Wanderers away. Their race seven victory over Waikato was a torrid affair, Simon Joblin the only car to finish for the Mustangs. Importantly he was the winner, carrying the Mustangs through to the top four. Both Andy McCabe and Kerry Humphrey were tipped up the wall and over. Waikato block men Warwick Ansty (rolled McCabe) and Tony Wootten (rolled Humphrey) were impressive but were unable to get their side a win.
The Rotorua Rebels have held the core of their team together for a few years and last night it showed. There is speed to burn but also plenty of mongrel which earned wins over both the TTL Hire Centre Canterbury Glen Eagles and the Wellington Wildcats. With all due respect to both the Eagles and the Wildcats they are rebuilding and possibly provided a slightly easier pool for the Rebels. There is however no such thing as an easy pool in this competition and the Rebels still have claims to favouritism.
The Nelson tigers have a proud history at this event and despite a couple of changes, including losing arguably the best teams’ racer going around in the last few years, Brendon Higgins (retired) still looked promising. Wins over both the Auckland Allstars and the Wanganui Warriors put them through to the finals to challenge for their third title.
The Tigers got a scare from the Allstars in their first heat, Brett Nicholls went to the lead but near the half way point there was a red light to remove Bryce Marx who was stranded on top of Blair Cunningham’s front bumper. While Auckland lost Marx Nelson lost key blocker Cunningham and also leader Nicholls who went infield with a jammed accelerator. Phil Marx inherited the lead but Nelson’s two remaining drivers, Shane Harwood and Dale Ewers were super quick and well organised, soon wrestling the lead back, with Harwood taking the win.
Other highlights included the return of the Wellington Wildcats even though things didn’t go their way with Allen Levien being rolled by the Rebels’ Scott Hewson and Bryce Steiner in heat one. Dale Robertson was also wounded early meaning by mid race the Wildcats chances were slim. The Wildcats also went down to the TTL Glen Eagles.
Barry Podjursky back racing for Stratford after several years’ absence was another highlight even though last year’s finalists lost both races. The Stratford drivers showing plenty of commitment and had it not been for some Ansty magic they may have beaten Waikato. Ansty drove straight into the path of race leader Phil Ogle who then copped another big hit while spinning across the track from Karl Ross who took over the lead. The result made more remarkable by the fact that Waikato could only field three cars to start the race due to damage in the previous heat.
Tonight’s semi final are shaping as something special with the Panthers going up against the Rebels and the Mustangs lining up against the Tigers. All four teams deserve to be there and all have the ability to winthe title.
All four teams know they are in for a tough night at the office, knowing tonight will be up another level from last night.
Mustangs’ driver Simon Joblin told Speedbox TV that his team was in for a tough semi final.
“We need to come together as and work as a team it will be one tough race,” he said of tonight’s encounter with the Tigers. Tigers’ captain Dale Ewers was full of respect for the Mustangs and expected a strong challenge.
Kyle Fraser of the Rebels said his team had no problems with going up against the Panthers saying, “It’s good to up against them, it’s about time we had a win against them,” he told Speedbox TV whole key Panthers driver, Rees, was quoted as saying “We need to find another gear for tomorrow night.”
Media: Mat Kermeen 5th Feb 12
