Stratford Speedway hosts champs | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

A seething mass of spectators packed the Stratford Speedway for the Taranaki Modified Championship on Saturday. Rain may have dampened the track, but it only succeeded in whetting the appetites of fans who turned up to watch the V8 monsters.

While just three Taranaki drivers were among the 10-strong field, title holder Craig Ward's (New Plymouth) car oozed horsepower and he wasn't about to be scared into submission. John Jackson (New Plymouth) was having his first run at Stratford in his newly painted and refurbished racer, while Paul Ward (New Plymouth) was looking to improve his performance in his third full season racing the brutes.

Five Auckland teams made the trip and comprised the top three from last season's North Island modified series.

Wellington's Tama Arapere and 30-year speedway veteran, Brian Mcphee, made up the 10, but said they were not here to merely make up the numbers.

Race 1 was a 'finish how you started' affair, with Jamie Fox (Auckland) taking the chequered flag, ahead of Mcphee and Craig Ward, third.

Race 2 was delayed as support classes were used to help dry the track after a short shower put the meeting in jeopardy. The delay seemed to hype the crowd, as a loud cheer almost drowned out the collective growl of the V8s when they entered the arena for the second race.

Craig Ward responded, leaving the field in his wake as he opened up a large gap from Brian Jesen (Auckland) and Arapere. Paul Ward kissed the concrete and brought the field back together under the yellow light, but brother Craig raced away again from the restart and had a full back-straight lead at the finish.

Deciding a championship is often a do-or-die affair and, sadly for the Taranaki drivers, the latter was to be their result for the night.

Rushed repairs and equally, a rush of blood ended Paul Ward's night when he erred and hit the wall for a second time.

John Jackson performed a rarity, when he spun a full 360 degrees, missed the wall, didn't hit anyone and rejoined the race.

But it all came to nought for Jackson, however, when he too overcooked his challenge and became the second victim of the concrete. With a good chance of retaining the title, it was left to Craig Ward to hold up the Taranaki flag.

Starting from the back of the field in Race 3, Ward only had to finish within two places of Fox to win, but it was not to be. While taking the outside line had initially paid dividends for Ward, he clipped the wall in his haste to get to the front and came to a grinding halt.

His night ended with a monster roar from the crowd. With Ward's demise, Jamie Fox (Auckland) only had to finish the race to secure his first Taranaki Modified Championship.