Rangeview Speedway
By DAVE WAKEFIELD - Matamata Chronicle | Monday, 19 March 2007The Circle Track Racing Association New Zealand Standard Saloon and North Island Jalopy Championships were held at Rangeview Speedway on Saturday 10th March.
Visiting racecar drivers from as far afield as New Plymouth and Kaikohe tested their skills against our local drivers. They didn't fare too badly either with drivers from both ends of the country taking home one of the major placings in the two championships.
It was a hard fought, no quarter given, affair in the North Island Jalopy Championships. This class allows the "pushing and spinning" of a fellow competitor and in the heat of battle this is usually forgotten and replaced with "king hits", much to the delight of most spectators. However it does make it a difficult job for the Referee to control the racing and the black flag was used a number of times. Those shown the black flag were removed from the race and lost their points for it.
Taranaki driver Steve Reid overcame serious opposition to take home the North Island Jalopy Streetcar crown in a display of controlled, aggressive driving which proved him to be a worthy Champion. Second and third places were determined with a four lap run off between locals, Robyn McKee and Peter Taylor. Robyn, in her first major Championship, was placed second and Peter Taylor third, after she won this.
The New Zealand Standard Saloon Championship was less torrid but certainly no less hard raced for. Local "Hotshot" Champ MacDonald lived up to his name and took out his first New Zealand title in a Ford Cortina. This young man has now won every CTRA Championship credited to this class of racecar. Another local, Peter Cradock in a Toyota Celica was placed second. Kaikohe visitor Bruce Mallindine, in a Nissan Laurel, took out third place.
