Big Night Of Teams Champs Qualifying

A spectacular night of ENZED Superstock Teams Champs action has seen the eight semi-finalists determined at the Robertson Prestige International Speedway on Saturday night.

For 46 years now, Palmerston North has been hosting this event and every year it seems to get bigger and more spectacular. The whole city seems to hum. With cars on display around the city and scrutineering in The Square, it is a fabulous opportunity for anyone to get up close and personal with the cars. The teams and drivers seem to go out of their way to make themselves available.

Then once you get to the track, the atmosphere is electric, with the capacity crowd passionately supporting their favourite team. The grand parade comes out with flags flying, horns tooting, drivers with families all on display, the anticipation heightens, the noise is intense. I must say the Glen Eagles graphics and designs on their cars for this year's ENZED Superstock Teams Champs were certainly eye-catching.

Group A

Gisborne Giants v Palmerston North Panthers

First race of the night saw the Palmerston North Panthers against the Gisborne Giants - this was always going to be a great battle. For the Panthers, 156p Trent James and 79p Kyle Rowe certainly threw everything at the Giants, but it was the Gisborne team home first and second to take the points.

Result: 126g Asher Rees, 5g Josh Prentice, 52p Scott Joblin, 3nzp William Humphries, 156p Trent James

Giants 140, Panthers 55

Gisborne Giants v Wellington Wildcats

The Wellington Wildcats entered the arena next with a good-looking lineup, but it was the Giants taking first and third leaving the Wildcats fans reeling.

Result: 96g Brad McGee, 5w Keegan Levien, 5g Josh Prentice, 126g Asher Rees, 2nzg Ethan Rees

Giants 155, Wildcats 40

Palmerston North Panthers v Wellington Wildcats

The Panthers fought back well after their initial loss to dismantle the Wildcats and finish first and second to put them in the Tier 2 semi-finals on Sunday night.

Result: 34p Rebecca Barr, 41p Scott Williams, 21w Tim Parker, 5w Keegan Levien, 79p Kyle Rowe

Panthers 150, Wildcats 45

Group B

Stratford Scrappers v Great Britain Lions

Race two saw the Great Britain Lions against the Stratford Scrappers. I think everyone secretly supports the Lions - they have such passion and have come such a long way, but it was the Scrappers across the line first followed by Great Britain second and third.

Result: 307s Matt Picard, 5gb Charlie Sworder, 175gb Karl Hawkins, 515gb Frankie Wainman Jr, 87s Brodie James

Scrappers 110, Lions 85

Great Britain Lions v Hawkes Bay Hawkeyes

422b Dylan Ashton decided to show the Lions how they do it in the bay, which left 5gb Charlie Sworder shunted from behind and ending up sitting on top of the 422b. But to the crowd's delight 175gb Karl Hawkins took an unlikely victory as the only Lion remaining, and the GB fans were ecstatic.

Result: 175gb Karl Hawkins, 16b Brett Loveridge, 38b Scott Gallop, 422b Dylan Ashton, 84b Mike McLachlan

Lions 100, Hawkeyes 95

Stratford Scrappers v Hawkes Bay Hawkeyes

52b Regan O'Brien was sent for a little bit of time out up the wall, with the Scrappers finishing on top and through to Sunday's Tier 1 semi-finals and a shot at glory.

Result: 87s Brodie James, 89s Tyler James, 307s Matt Picard, 82b Darcy Meurant, 84b Mike McLachlan

Scrappers 165, Hawkeyes 30

Group C

Baypark Busters v Manawatu Mustangs

99m Todd Hemingway tried a new tactic - instead of driving around cars, just drive over them in spectacular fashion. I'm sure 133p Tyler Walker had to wonder if Todd had been drinking Red Bulls. Team manager Wayne Hemi's relief at seeing his team cross the line first would've been short lived, with a late relegation costing the Mustangs a famous victory.

Result: 777m Dan Pollock, 99m Todd Hemingway, 599p Ron Tye, 85p Justin Roberts, 669p Brendon Tye

Busters 140, Mustangs 55

Rotorua Rebels v Manawatu Mustangs

After a great battle on track, the Rebels were too strong for the Mustangs. This would set up a great final race in the group between the two unbeaten Bay of Plenty sides.

Result: 14r AJ Axtens, 29p Matt Demanser, 9r Brent Stewart, 85p Justin Roberts, 94r Dale Stewart

Rebels 135, Mustangs 60

Rotorua Rebels v Baypark Busters

99m Todd Hemingway was quickly dispatched up the wall by 14r AJ Axtens, who was also tipped over moments later but able to continue. Rotorua took the win after a valiant effort by 77m Luke Alderdice fell short on the last corner.

Result: 9r Brent Stewart, 77m Luke Alderdice, 19m Kerry Remnant, 45r Dion Henderson, 14r AJ Axtens

Rebels 130, Busters 65

Group D

Canterbury Glen Eagles v Wanganui Warriors

1nzv Brad Uhlenberg was immediately put up the wall very neatly by 971c Jayden Ward, and 317c Jay Holtham had his wheel clipped off but managed to keep going throughout the race. The defending champion Glen Eagles were clinical on their way to first and third place.

Result: 991c Harley Robb, 166v Hayden Hart, 808c Scott Tennant, 38v Zane Dykstra, 971c Jayden Ward

Glen Eagles 135, Warriors 60

Auckland Allstars v Wanganui Warriors

The Allstars versus Warriors saw 96a Jamie Fergusson rolled by 15v Ryan Marshall in turn two, but it was lone gunner 95a Gary Lonergan across the line first to take the major points.

Result: 95a Gary Lonergan, 1nzv Brad Uhlenberg, 15v Ryan Marshall, 81v Max Holloway, 166v Hayden Hart

Allstars 100, Warriors 95

Canterbury Glen Eagles v Auckland Allstars

There was no doubt who was in charge here in a long-awaited rematch, with the clinical Glen Eagles taking first and second with an impressive performance.

Result: 14c James Thian, 808c Scott Tennant, 74a Codi Chatfield, 95a Gary Lonergan, 557c Darrel Wallace

Glen Eagles 150, Allstars 45

I'm sure there will be some tired and hoarse people out there, but we'll do it all again on Sunday night!

Word on the Street
By Nicola