Track: Wanganui
Date: 10 April 2011
Event: Westcoast Streetstocks Champs
Reporting by Roger Morrison and pictures by Mike Pollard

Wanganui
Westcoast Streetstocks Champs
10 April 2011
Reporting by Roger Morrison and pictures by Mike Pollard

Stratford's John Young emerged as West Coast Streetstock champion and Palmerston North's Karl McGill the winner of the Adult Ministock Invasion on a busy afternoon at Oceanview Speedway. Added to this, Stratford's Sandy Flett and Wanganui's Wayne Wright teamed up to claim the Stockcars Best Pairs title on offer.

West Coast Streetstock Champs

Bevan Johnston has worked hard to get the Streetstock class established at Wanganui and at times the on field action has been hampered by small fields. So it was a treat to get a full field of 15 cars line up for the West Coast Champs. There was a bit of spice in the field with inter-track rivalry on the cards with cars from Rotorua, Kihikihi, Stratford, Palmerston North, Wanganui and Wellington. The class came in the form of 11R Stephen de Malmanche who has three times been 2NZ and twice 3NZ without ever gaining the no. 1 door mounting. He has also placed well at North Island Champs and has one a New Zealand Streetstock Grand Prix. But with no track support it was going to be tough for de Malmanche to hold off some experienced campaigners on his own.

Heat One

First blood to the Stratford connection with 51S Russell Gorrie emerging as winner over long time campaigner 4P Dean Dingwall and 33K Gary Smith. Of the chasing pack, 22V Clint Lyford looked the best of the locals while de Malmanche was finding life difficult on an unfamiliar track.

Heat Two

8S Wayne Barron put it all together to clear out and win by over half a lap from the consistent Gorrie who in turn had a good gap back to the quick 6S John Young. So after two heats Gorrie topped the points charts with 29 ahead of Young on 25 and 888S Richard Kettle and Smith who were both on 23. The Stratford contingent were looking good.

Heat Three

The field was now down to 13 as they lined up on the grid. The first lap saw mayhem break out on the back straight with the Wanganui drivers in the thick of it. The major casualty was points leader Gorrie who suffered enough damage to seem him coast infield shortly thereafter. The race was pure mayhem with hits constantly going in. de Malmanche avoided the carnage to claim the win ahead of Smith and Young. The likes of Wanganui's Ian Barron and Bevan Johnston made life hell for everyone without a V on the door and it was great entertainment for the fans.

Young had emerged on top by the barest of margins ahead of Smith. A run-off was required for third and Wayne Barron was too strong for Kettle.


Superstocks

Another meager turnout for the speed machines with only 35V Mick Paul/Mark Cromarty, 45S Stephen Guilford and 79P Kerry Humphrey on deck. They were added to the Stockcars starting a lap down in their own contest.

Race One: 1. 79P Kerry Humphrey. 2. 45S Stephen Guilford. 3. 35V Mick Paul.

Race Two: 1. 79P. 2. 35V Mark Cromarty.

Feature: 1. 45S. 2. 79P. 3. 35V Mick Paul.