Ripper start to speedway season | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

Mixed blessings surrounded the opening night of speedway racing at Stratford on Saturday night.

While some of New Zealand's best midget car drivers took a punt on the weather and made the trip, others were not so confident and stayed home.

Taranaki's weather can be fickle, but organisers say a simple phone call to the club, rather than elsewhere in the province, will give a true indication of conditions.

A fine drizzle did not spoil the racing and spectators were rewarded, with what amounted to be a mini midget New Zealand championship.

A large field of 12, resplendent in their new season's livery, had entries from private drivers through to fully professional teams with trucks or mobile workshops.

Six-times North Island champion, Michael Kendall (Auckland) brought a brand new, untested car, but would not comment about any refinements made since last year's title-winning formula.

Kaponga's Darryl Hughes returned to midget racing after a number of years racing TQs.

Rookie, Ricky Paul, (New Plymouth) had his first competitive outing after just three practice sessions at the track.

Two father-and-son teams graced the immaculately prepared track, with Adam and Alvin Cobb (Auckland) visiting Stratford for the first time and Neil and Mark Willans (New Plymouth) back for more fun.

Veteran, Graham Sandring (Auckland), was another looking to get in a bit of practice on one of the only tracks unaffected by weather.

In typical style, Kendall laid down the gauntlet for the others, blistering through the first race with a faultless performance, but closely followed by Sandring and Gavin Quinn (New Plymouth).

Alvin Cobb surprised everyone with a win in Race 2, as he managed to hold off Standring and the hard-charging Kendall. "I've never been here before, but this track is brilliant ? I'll be back again," Cobb said.

There was a third race and most of the meeting was completed before a short downpour replaced the drizzle and brought the meeting to a close.

Standring, in accepting overall honours, highlighted the need to keep the grass-roots level of speedway alive. "At Western Springs (Auckland), which is in danger of being closed, we just have a bare room for our clubrooms. Here you have trophy cabinets, photos and all the history that goes with it," he said.

Although the midget class numbers were swelled by visitors, a good local turnout in other classes bodes well for the extended season.

Taranaki street stock champion Stuart Cadman's Valiant was showing awesome power and will take some beating, while Blair Luscombe won two of the stock car races and will be a force to be reckoned with.

Neville Nolly's super stock has changed colour, due to a new sponsor, but looks as fast as ever.

It was a big welcome back to former track manager, Ernie Burrows, who has had a few seasons away.

The surface of the track has been repaired. A recurring hole on the third turn is gone and excess water on the infield has been remedied, thanks to Ernie.