It is less than a month until the behemoths of motorsport hit the tarmac of Powerbuilt Tools Raceway. This year a bigger brighter better line up of thundering rigs will contest the short course circuit incorporating the dipper and have drivers and spectators on the edge of their seats.
Last years series champ Malcolm Little will be back to defend his title but will have his work cut out against the wily super truck and BNT V8 veteran Kane Scott. No love will be lost in this contest as it appeared Scott was tapped into the Turn 1 tyre wall last year by the Little truck, in the very first lap of the first race ending his days racing and his championship chances. Scott has a point to prove and coming second will not be on his agenda.
The short circuit provides a unique racing environment for the huge combatants with the tyre wall at turn one providing a large target if someone doesn’t get it quite right. It then gets very busy with three quick turns out of the esses, into then out of the dipper where the circuit narrows and squeezes the trucks for racing room if they are side by side, full throttle to the sweeper before braking and feathering the accelerator without losing too much speed and hard on it again to the finish line. These monsters just hit their 160kmph [100mph] limiter before jamming on the anchors and drifting into turn one again. Ten laps of frantic action provides magic motorsport for those who love these big shiny beasts. Pin up star is undoubtedly Shane Gray’s Kenworth rig which presents a superb picture as he guns the big diesel around the circuit. Rumour has it he has added another few hundred horses to his power train as well and with hard chargers, Troy Wheeler and Terry McGee will be in the thick of it
For the first time since Inky Tulloch handed in the keys to his truck, the South Island will be represented. Ashburton’s Brent Jones has purchased the little [in truck terms] K M Bedford raced by guest Aussie racer Rob Waters last year and Colin Hooper of Taupo makes a return with his V8 R Series Mack after several years on the sideline.
Sharing the action on the track will be the South Island’s top Drifters hanging it all out for the cash. With $1000 up for grabs, competitors will need to be on the nail early as it is straight into a seeded shootout where if you lose, you are gone. Go play with the easy beats! This will be Drift at its very best on a tight and tricky run starting off at the hairpin, through the cutting and around the dipper. It’s the last chance of their season to stand out and make a name for themselves, maybe even knock off one of the big guns.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, from huge trucks to tiny Karts, they make an entrance to this high profile event to show motorsport fans what they are all about. Karting has long been the motorsport nursery and spectators will be impressed by the speed and accuracy of the little Karts. This is a rare chance for the Karters to use the width and freedom of a full sized circuit to out fox the opposition in what will be a three race format.
A great chance for motorsport fans to enjoy three vastly different disciplines on the same day, at the same venue.
Super Trucks, Drift and Karts - action from 9.30 am 2 April Tickets $20 Children under 15 Free.
