The sun was out once again for the fourth meeting of 2025/26, the Robin Pratt Stockcar Memorial, and it was looking like being a great meeting. It has sadly been 25 years since Robin Pratt, a 45-year-old Foxton driver, suffered a medical event while racing at Palmerston North. His family donated the trophy to be contested each year in his honour. It is the most prestigious local Stockcar title on offer, with a rich history of past legends names appearing on the trophy including two times winner William Humphries and six times winner Peter Rees.
With over 40 Stockcars all vying for the trophy they were divided into two groups. Heat one saw 48p Josh Mulcahy take the win over 98g Brad McGee and third 135p Jaden Hall. Heat two 99v Cody Lockett was first to cross the line followed by 86p Beau McLeod and 91p Wade McNabb, with a surprising DNF to 126g Asher Rees who most people were picking to be up amongst the top on points at the end of the evening.
During the evening there was certainly some entertaining manoeuvres and tactics being played out on the track with a spectacular barrel roll in front of the grandstand by 96p Callum Henden, 31p Jared Davis had a little bit of a helping bumper from 34p Rob Mason to go up and over, 24p Jessica Powell managed to flatten her wing, and the manoeuvre of the night which went a little wrong must go to 77p Kurtis Tinetti for trying to take out 85g Ethan Rees but sadly ending up rolling himself - but a fabulous try Kurtis. With three finals to come everybody was hungry for the points.
Final one it was a pair of 'G' cars to cross first and second; Ethan Rees and McGee, followed by Davis. Final two 133p Tyler Walker took the chequered flag followed by 155p Caleb Coxhead and in third Lockett. Final three was fast and furious with cars dancing left, right and centre. Mulcahy held it together for another 'P' win followed by 212v Blair Reeves-Smith and McNabb in third. Now the nail-biting part, who had come out top on points. People were furiously trying to add up on their fingers and toes. And just when you thought the night couldn’t get any more exciting, a run-off between Ethan Rees and Coxhead was about to take place. Rees was just too good and took the win and Robin Pratt Memorial trophy. Well done to Coxhead for second place on the podium and Walker in third place.
Thank goodness wasn’t just all about the Stockcars. We also had a great lineup of Saloons and a handful of Super Saloons which put on a great display. 58p Peter Bengston certainly has his car under control and knows how to boogie out wide. In the Saloons the night was certainly owned by 242p Ashleigh King, who took out two second places in race one and two, and ran a very smooth race to take out the feature. 57p Calvin Honore took chequered flag in race one and was third in the feature. 7p Clayton Moore had a win in race two and placed second in the feature. Other great drives went to 81p Jonathan Mason for a third in race one, 6p Ben Jones a third in race two. 17p Ella Hislop is certainly gaining confidence every time she comes out, it was her first night being signed off the mentor programme, can’t wait to watch your career unfold.
Crowd favourites of times gone by, the Historic Stockcars never failed to entertain, and it was fabulous to see 98p Brent Boddy take his first ever win. 3nz Brendan Locke and 6p Elvis Rowlands were having a hard time on the track and kept misjudging spacing between the bumpers, seeing Rowlands have to pull to the infield to pop his brake pedal back on. 5p Garry Trotter decided to explain how important it is to have a good denture adhesive to Craig Ellmers who was driving Elvis' 6p tank in race three, otherwise your teeth can end up floating around in your helmet. Also great to see 15p Malcolm Clausen with the chequered flag.
Adult Ministocks saw two wins go to 35p Luke Harris over the night, 77p Shane McEwen won race two. Other impressive drives of the night with 37p Jayden Williams with a second and a third place.
I’m sure the Youth Ministock class had all been on the candy floss in the pits - they came out of pit gate bouncing and bopping all over the place - it was havoc and mayhem on the track. 22p Charlotte Blain was practising her gymnastics along the start finish line with an impressive line of cartwheels. Good race wins to 77p Will Carroll-Holland, 18p Aidan Waihi and 23p Kobe Dorn, who also took a third in race two. 294p Charlie Newman managed to stay out of trouble to take a third and a second place.
What an exciting night of racing - thanks to all the volunteers, staff, crew, Amanda, Puk and Bruce for another entertaining evening. Be safe everyone and look forward to next weekend.
Word on the Street
By Nicola
Full results - https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Events/3295037
