Stratford regains title | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

Stratford shined with victory last Saturday with a top three podium at the Taranaki Stockcar champs.

Visiting cars from Hamilton, Palmerston North and a lone car from Auckland looked at stealing the Taranaki title for a second year in a row,but Stratford banded together to ensure the title was regained for the club.

First year driver, Tyler Walker (33s), raced to a comfortable lead right from the start and Haydin Barker (84s) ensured Tyler received his first chequered flag in a stockcar by taking out Mitchell Hill (73p) when he looked like attacking Tyler.

``I'm ready happy (about the win). All the time and money has finally paid off,'' says Tyler.

The night didn't end well for the 18-year-old who was smashed into the wall by Palmerston North driver Justin Kinane (16p). The 33 car received damage to the front bumper and the front suspension. Tyler was a threat, going into the third race first equal with Stratford's Shane Hurliman (79s).

With two seconds and a sixth, Shane took back what was Stratfords, the trophy. Kylee Symes (229) raced in to take second place on the podium and Mark Woods (517s) placed third in the champs, only one point behind Kylee.

It was also a night for first time wins in the saloons class, when 21-year-old Paula Hinton won her first race, after moving classes from adult ministocks.

``It was pretty cool. I think I was pretty lucky the way the grid was lined up,'' says Paula, who started on grid one.

Paula says she is enjoying racing her mustang saloon, especially it's speed.

The City of New Plymouth Classic for the modifieds was a close finish with only two points separating first and third. Stratford's Paul Ward (55s) won the title with Sean Rice and Roger Furness racing in second and third
respectively.

Visiting Palmerston North ministock, Nic Davey (26p), won the youth ministock City of New Plymouth Classic
ahead of Mitchell Vickery (26s) and Aimie Barnes (92v). After a run off for second and third place was unable to go
ahead, the podium position was determined by a coin toss, which went in Mitchell's favour.

A number of red flags were raised during the ministock races due to the number of cars on the track causing havoc. First year driver Blair Uhlenberg impressed the crowd with his speed and ability to hold off drivers who
have been on the track for years.

It was once again a tug-of-war between midget drivers Duane Hickman (95s), and Lydia Dickinson (75s) but Duane was too fast for the race pack, winning all three races. Anthony Batley made sure the pair knew he was there, taking a second for race two and a third in race three.

Results:

Saloons: Race 1; 1. 4s A. Cook 2. 29s J. Macbeth 3. 16s T. Korff. Race 2; 1. 97s H. Langl 2. 28s J. Young 3. 56s M.
Fale. Race 3; 1. 25s P. Hinton 2. 56s M. Fale 3. 4s A. Cook.

Stockcars: Race 1; 1. 33s T. Walker 2. 79s S. Hurliman 3. 99p R. Tye. Race 2; 1. 69s T. Zehnder 2. 79s S.
Hurliman 3. 33s T. Walker. Race 3; 1. 229s K. Symes 2. 517s M. Woods 3. 242a B.Fox.

Modifieds: Race 1; 1. 1NZ J. Jackson 2. 31s F. Lowry/ N. Marshall 3. 55s P. Ward. Race 2; 1. 55s P. Ward 2. 5s R.
Furness 3. 77s C. Ward. Race 3; 1. 8s S. Rice 2. 5s R. Furness 3. 226s B. Luscombe.

Youth ministocks: Race 1; 1. 619s J. Hill 2. 62s R. Gernhoefer 3. 79s J. Meyer. Race 2; 1. 26s. M. Vickery 2. 28s B.
Uhlenberg 3. 26p N. Davey. Race 3; 1. 82s H. Booker 2. 26p N. Davey 3. 26s M. Vickery.

Midgets: Race 1; 1. 95s D. Hickman 2. 75s L. Dickinson 3. 15s D. Hughes. Race 2; 1.  95s D. Hickman 2. 26s A.
Batley 3. 75s L. Dickinson. Race 3; 1. 95s D. Hickman 2. L. Dickinson 3. 26s A. Batley