Photo: Panther Scott Miers surviving a big hit from Rotorua driver Scott HewsonThe Palmerston North Panthers produced a near perfect race in defending their New Zealand Super Stock Teams racing title against the Nelson Tigers at Arena Manawatu last night.
Racing in front of their home crowd the Panthers fans seemed to be outnumbered by a sea of orange from Nelson supporters and the neutrals that seemed to go against the home team.
It appeared to most that the two best preformed sides had made the final, enabling the teams to create another chapter to what is now an intense rivalry, but this chapter was to be a one sided one.
The final was almost an anticlimax as the Panthers were ruthless and pounced on every Tigers mistake, shutting them down every time they showed promise and meaning the race was effectively over long before Shane Penn crossed the line to secure the championship. The Panthers showed all their experience in a polished and clever performance that proved what a champions side they are.
The final started with Penn pouncing to the lead from pole while Nelson’s Shane Harwood had is foot flat, on the breaks, meaning the outside line went nowhere. Scott Joblin (Panthers) and Brett Nicholls (Tigers) battled for second but key Nelson driver Dale Ewers had hardly moved from the inside row and took basically no part in the race despite an attempted push start from teammate Blair Cunningham, that move blocked by Peter Rees.
Further back the outside row of Harwood and Blair Cunningham of Nelson plus Panthers Peter Bengston and Peter Rees were looking to take up blocking roles.
Cunningham went close to knocking Rees over in what would have been a race defining move but New Zealand’s premier teams racer survived.
Out front, Penn was quickly ticking off the laps before the first stoppage to remove Brett Nicholls, who attempted to spin out Bengston while running second but the momentum pushed Bengston backwards, launching Nicholls up the wall and out of the race. Bengston got free and was able to continue.
Within a lap Shane Harwood returned serve for the Tigers giving Simon Joblin his boarding pass up to the fence and over but it was too little too late for the Tigers as Ress was superb in the final laps, protecting Penn from any challenges.
The victory was a credit to all Panthers drivers and there hard working crews who proved to everyone that they are the best Super Stock team in the country. The win was especially satisfying for Penn who retired after last season’s championship but the chance of another crack in 2012 was too much to resist, Penn told Speedbox TV.
“I’m absolutely over the moon, I’m just stocked how could I give this up,” Penn said. “They are just such a great bunch of guys. The whole team is superb, the drivers and the crews,” he said.
The Panthers were the favourites with the punters for night two but they were given a scare in their semi final from the Rotorua Rebels. Both Scott Hewson and Mark Osborne were comfortably out in front and Bengston had been tagged by Hewson then finished by Bryce Steiner, tipping him over plus Scott Miers was ineffective with front end damage. The Panthers needed a miracle, conceding a lead to Hewson and Osborne and being down two cars, but they got it from Rees. Turning on the speed and destroying anything or anyone in his way. He eventually caught the leaders and took over despite his engine overheating. Rees effort in the semi final was something special and will be talked for a long time to come.
The Tigers earned their spot in the final by defeating the other local side the Manawatu Mustangs who put up a spirited challenge and for much of the race, looked to be finals bound.
Kerry Humphrey held a healthy lead and his blockers were protecting him well until finally Ewers did just enough to get in his way as he attempted to go around the outside allowing Harwood to catch and spin Humphrey and race away with the win, sending the Tigers to the final.
The Rotorua Rebels and the Great Brittan Lions raced off for forth in an action packed race. The defining moment came when the aggressive Bryce Steiner got a wheel caught high on the fence wire meaning he had to be removed after contact from Lion Matt Newson. Osborne was now venerable and with just a few laps remaining he was slowed by Great Brittan allowing Mark Taylor to score the win and third overall for Great Brittan.
Taylor said the win showed it’s not about being the fastest but working the best together as a team while his captain Frankie Wainman Jr was happy with their second night effort.
“We did what we could, third was as high as we could possibly finish tonight and we did it,” a satisfied Wainman Jr told Speedbox TV.
In the battle for fifth and sixth Karl Ross stood out with a fine solo effort over the Mustangs’ Andy McCabe to clinch fifth spot and cap a memorable weekend for the promising driver. After a brutal race the two drivers were left to fight it out but after a valiant effort from McCabe who was four laps down Ross snuck through to take the win but their battle had the crowd on their feet in appreciation for both drivers.
Earlier in the second tier the Lions had a comfortable victory which eliminated the TTL Hire Centre Glen Eagles from Canterbury and Waikato ended the Wanganui Warriors campaign.
