We’ve only just had time for our Christmas pudding to go down, and we’re back into the ninth meeting of 2025/26 at the Robertson Prestige International Speedway. Everywhere else in the country the weather was not playing nice, but not so at good old Palmy and the flag dropped right on time at 6:30pm.
First up, Super Saloons racing for their Manawatu Championship. Race one was a very smooth race with 6b Grant Flynn taking the win from 41b Jason Long and 58p Peter Bengston. Race two wasn’t so smooth with 5b Steve Flynn hitting the wall in turn three and Long found himself in the wall just before turn one. 27s Joe Ingram fought his way through the chaos to take the flag, followed by 27b Dan Montaperto and 24p Martin Halcrow.
The grader team were out on the track faster than lightning, doing their magic and getting the track back into shape.
The Super Saloon final would have to be one of the best races I’ve seen all season. 58p Peter Bengston threw everything he had into the race including the kitchen sink - the battle he had with Grant Flynn was epic, and had the crowd gasping and cheering with every lap and every passing manoeuvre. But on top of the podium it was 27s Joe Ingram with a superb drive, 58p Peter Bengston took out second but only just from 6b Grant Flynn. A fabulous end to the Manawatu Championship for the class.
The Minisprints were also racing for their Manawatu title, with 18 cars lining up on the grid for race one. The man with the fastest lap time of 15.427 seconds, 2nzp Glen McCutcheon, was too smooth and too fast for 95s Duane Hickman and 85s Erin Uhlenberg. Race two saw a fabulous battle between 3nzp Nathan Jefferies and 18p Daniel Nickel, and it was Jefferies who took the checked flag ahead of Nickel and 10s Jonathon Noonan came home in third.
The Minisprint final saw almost a repeat of race two, with Jefferies and Nickel battling it out for first and second. But there was no doubt in any one’s mind as 3nzp Nathan Jefferies pulled ahead for a convincing win over 18p Daniel Nickel, with 2nzp Glen McCutcheon in third for the podium.
Next out was a little bit of a treat for Palmy, something we don’t see very often; Streetstocks. In New Zealand this class races both directions, clockwise and anticlockwise because they're a unique class based on road cars primarily for fun, affordability and unique action, having to set the cars and drivers up for both directions - this has been around since the 70s.
Race one, first across the line was 4p Dean Dingwall, second 72b Darren Melling and third 11a Cory TeRito. Race two saw a bit more mayhem on the track with cars spinning out left right and centre, but taking the flag was 21s Dylan Smith, with a great drive for second TeRito, and coming in third 333s Ron Washer would have to be happy with all those threes. The feature saw little battles going on all over the track, but it was 8v Blair Ladd followed by 81w Troy Sharp and 21s Dylan Smith.
A great field of 18 Superstocks turned up ready to race, and it was a very proud moment for a legend of the sport Graeme Ward to see out on track racing together Jayden and Lewis Ward - what an achievement. Graeme Ward’s cars were quite often referred to as hot rods - always super well-presented, and I have to say after seeing Jayden‘s new paint job last night how fantastic it looked - a little bit different but definitely a hot rod. Sadly, out on the track Jayden had a few slight mechanical issues which I’m sure will be sorted out in no time.
Race one mister smooth, cool, calm and collected, 94p William Humphries made it look effortless taking the chequered flag. But right behind him was 28s Blair Uhlenberg and 72a Cody McKee in third. Race two the man who obviously came to Palmy to race seriously, McKee was first with 52p Scott Joblin second and in third 25s Wayne Moss. The feature saw Humphries comfortably take the flag over McKee and Moss.
Last but not least for the night, the Youth Ministocks with a huge field of over 26 cars. Filled with ham sandwiches and keen as mustard, out they came for the opening race. Two big names from the speedway community, Penn and Parkes, had a wee discussion in front of the grandstand about which reindeer was faster. After that was sorted 21p Mason Taylor took the flag ahead of 18p 'the Black Panther' Aiden Waihi, who was a quiet and stealthy mover and groover in the pack and had a fabulous battle with Taylor throughout the race. And third place, always one to watch, 52p Boston Joblin. 294p Charlie Newman had a fabulous second race to take the win over Joblin and 8p Hayden Arnold. Race three, 77p Will Carroll-Holland crossed the line first with 116p Ella Vercoe in second and 146s Lucas Hurley third.
To round off the night was the D.M.R Metal Recyclers Caravan & Boat Derby. It was carnage out on the track with cars rolling, boats being smashed into pieces and caravans driven through - who would believe it. It was a 1987 Nissan S-Cargo which looked like something out of SpongeBob SquarePants that took the win. Well done everybody, great entertainment.
Well sadly now there's no speedway till next year (don’t stress that’s only a week away) on 3rd January with practice from 5pm, racing from 6pm. So happy New Year everybody, be safe be kind and don’t make any New Year’s resolution you don’t intend to keep.
Word on the Street
By Nicola
Full results - https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Events/3324149
