A great opening night was had by all at Stratford Speedway on Sunday night. Three classes opened the season racing for their City of New Plymouth Classic Titles - superstocks, stockcars and saloons - and all fronted with good numbers and treated the spectators to hard, fast and action-packed racing.
Twenty-three stockcars lined up for the first race of the night - but only 14 for the fourth race. Bevan Phillips (72s) won the title after a two-way run off with Todd Duthie (21s), while Tyler Walker (33s) was third.
Superstocks saw 20 cars taking the track for the first race, dropping to 13 for the fourth race. Visiting Rotorua driver Tony Fabish (95r) won the title with Paul Johnson (82s) second and another visitor, Graeme Barr (3NZ) in third.
Saloons started and finished the night with 12 cars competing for the title. Thomas Korff (16s) took the win - and the title from his father, Craig Korff (8s), who won it last season. Second place went to John Young (28s) with Ash Cook (4s) third.
The saloons had the most spectacular crash of the night with Russell Gorrie's car (51s) being thrown into the air and landing upside down on the wall in the second race. In true Gorrie Motorsport style, Russell and crew worked hard to get the car sorted and back on the track for the third race.
Supporting classes for the night were adult ministocks and streetstocks. Blair Uhlenberg (28s) dominated the adult ministock races with Chris Shingleton (3NZ) and John Young (6s) racing hard in streetstocks.
Results, Stockcars: Race One: Jay Knight (501p), Bevan Phillips (72s), Todd Duthie (21s). Race Two: Tyler Walker (33s), Todd Duthie (21s) Haydin Barker (84s). Race Three: Bevan Phillips (72s) Andrew Dodunski (124s) Jay Knight (501p). Race Four: Tyler Walker (33s) Shane Hurliman (79s) Jay Knight (501s).
Superstocks: Race One: Tony Fabish (95r), Graeme Barr (3NZ), Nik Kiser (5s). Race Two: Wayne Moss (25s), Tony Fabish (95r), Graeme Barr (3NZ). Race Three: Paul Johnson (82s), S Hurley (42s), Bruce Williams (41s). Race Four: Richard Hart (67p), S Hurley (42s), Graeme Barr (3NZ).
Saloons: Race One: Russell Gorrie (51s), Joe Ingram (27s), Rossco Cresswell (77k). Race Two: Craig Korff (8s), John Young (28s), Jarrod MacBeth (908s). Race Three: Thomas Korff (16s), Paula Hinton (25s), John Young (28s).
Streetstocks: Race One: Chris Shingleton (3NZ), John Young (6s), B. Castleton (21k). Race Two: Chris Shingleton (3NZ), G. Washer (306s), John Young (6s). Race Three: Chris Shingleton (3NZ), John Young (6s), B. Castleton (21k).
Adult Ministocks: Race One: Blair Uhlenberg (28s), N. Alexander (24s), J. Evershed (10s). Race Two: Conrad Hall (88s), A. Shearer (98s), Blair Uhlenberg (28s). Race Three: Blair Uhlenberg (28s), J. Evershed (10s), T. Meyer (97s).