Motorsport: New season on track

The new clay surface at Finlayson Park Speedway at Dargaville did not disappoint on its first day of racing for the 2012/2013 season.

Although slightly greasy for the first round, the surface turned into a great tacky, grippy, track for the next four rounds.

The two contact grades, of Jalopies and Stockcars, started aggressively with contact aplenty from the first round with spectators enjoying the crash and bash all afternoon.

Visiting Auckland stockcar drivers, Laurie Maber, Ken Tyson, and Lewis Hayes, mixed it up from the start and took no prisoners in their dealings with the local drivers through five races.

Previous CTRA National Jalopy Champion Chris White showed his true class in the Jalopy grade with his tap and spin skills totally annihilating local drivers during their five races.

However, this speedway race day ended on a high note for locals with spectator children being taken for rides around the track in the race cars - hopefully causing the children to catch the speedway bug with junior drivers able to start as young as 10 years if they can show the clerk of course they are capable of controlling a 4 cylinder C Grade Saloon.

Persons interested in trying this sport can contact Dargaville Production Stockcar Club Secretary Cassie Brooks on 09 439 2916.

Dargaville's Finlayson Park Speedway will be racing next on December 9, with racing starting at 12pm.

Information, photos, videos and results available on www.freewebs.com/dargavillespeedway/