Parkinson in Form by Mat Kermeen
Brandon Parkinson will be one of the favourites for the South Island Modified Championships on January 7, after a convincing Remembrance Championship victory at AmPro Tools Woodford Glen Speedway on Boxing Day.
Parkinson scored two wins and a fourth in the traditional Boxing Day meeting, which featured the Remembrance Championships for all grades, in memory of members that have passed on.
The result never seriously looked in doubt, as in front of a huge crowd, Parkinson showed plenty of confidence in traffic, picking off passes on both inside and outside lines.
Parkinson said it was a real advantage to race in a big field so close to the South Islands and was also happy with where the car was at.
“We will give the car a good once over and make sure everything’s in order but that’s pretty much it, it’s in good shape,” Parkinson said.
The racing was fast and clean until the third heat when Andrew Naven flipped over in turn three, meaning his crew will face a race against time before the South Islands.
Dan Rae was four points behind in second while Maurice Hedley claimed third.
Malcolm Ngatai was another driver to dominate winning three Superstock races from three starts, retaining both the Remembrance Championship and also the Wayne Wilding Trophy, which was contested in the first race of the night.
Four Nelson visitors plus the arrival of Jason Smith and Aaron Rowlands gave the field a respectable look but nothing could stop a fired up Ngatai, especially in the first heat.
“I raced with Wayne (Wilding) the night he died, so it’s a special trophy. I wasn’t losing that race to anybody, that race means a lot to me,” Ngatai said.
Heats two and three were more of the same, Ngatai having his METALMAN machine dialled in perfectly. Nelson’s Shane Harwood couldn’t match Ngatai for speed but did claim three seconds while the reliable Rowlands finished third overall.
Nelson visitor Ian Burson is starting to come to grips with his Hypermac producing arguably his best meeting in the new car, winning the Super Saloon title. A third, second and a win was enough for a comfortable win over Josh Boulton and Blenheim’s Paddy North.
“We have been struggling with the new car a bit but we have found out a lot in terms of our set-up tonight, it’s a big step in the right direction,” said a positive Burson.
A six car pile-up in the first corner of heat three ended the winning chances of Willie Woodhouse, Dennis Bolt, Roger Nees and North who were all unable to finish.
Mark Grocott’s win in the A-grade Saloons was fitting, given that his car was previously driven by the late Steve Britt.
“It’s a good honour to have his car out here and to win it for him,” Grocott said.
Grocott has dominated the grade so far this season but with the field growing in numbers and the excellent form of Jason Phillips, who finished second, Grocott may not have it all his own way in 2012.
Streetstocks were down on numbers a little but still managed to put on an entertaining show, as they have done all season.
Going into heat three Steve Jackson, Colin Robinson and Kieran Skurr were all tied on points for the lead.
Starting from the back Robinson was slowed early but Jackson and Skurr both struck steering problems after contact allowing Robinson to cruise to victory.
The Timaru racer was happy with being off the back as it means “you can pick and choose your gaps.”
Ministock favourite Glen Redmond found some tough opposition from Aaron Gray, the pair finishing up tied on points but a count back gave the title to Redmond.
Redmond new it was close. “I was trying to look over my shoulder coming out of the corners to see who was behind me,” he said.
Hogan Jeffs was a well deserved winner in Production Saloons over David Filius and David Alfrey.
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Lottery Available Trackside - WIN $$$ |
Date |
Ticket |
Amount |
Claimed |
Meeting 7 |
#2062 |
$1981 |
yes |
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| Remembrance Champions |
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| Ministocks |
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| 1st |
7 Glen Redmond 85pts |
2nd |
48 Aaron Gray 85pts |
3rd |
87 Glen Marsden 83pts |
| 4th |
Darren Kerr 82pts |
5th |
16 Jono Gartley 80pts |
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| Super Saloons |
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| 1st |
21n Ian Burson 30pts |
2nd |
891 Josh Boulton 25pts |
3rd |
46e Paddy North 22pts |
| 4th |
881 Bruce Boulton 20pts |
5th |
3nz Richie Taylor 19pts |
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| Streetstocks |
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| 1st |
8c Colin Robinson 45pts |
2nd |
1nz Blair Leigh 44pts |
3rd |
43c Kieran Skurr 44pts |
| 4th |
62c David McSherry 39pts |
5th |
32c Levi Angow 38pts |
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| Modifieds |
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| 1st |
5gm Brandon Parkinson 27pts |
2nd |
24c Daniel Rae 22 pts |
3rd |
49c Maurice Headley 22pts |
| 4th |
8c Shaun Ashton 21pts |
5th |
67c Nigel Nevin 19pts |
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| Production Saloons |
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| 1st |
63c Hogan Jeffs 43pts |
2nd |
86c David Filius 41pts |
3rd |
55c David Allfrey 41pts |
| 4th |
39c Violet Cummings 39pts |
5th |
18c Ellis Jellyman 35pts |
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| A Grade Saloons |
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| 1st |
73c Mark Grocott 34pts |
2nd |
11c Jason Phillips 30pts |
3rd |
12c Arjen Schoulten 24pts |
| 4th |
76c James Archbald 22pts |
5th |
4c Bruce Scott 21pts |
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| Super Stocks |
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| 1st |
19c Malcolm Ngatai 39pts |
2nd |
18n Shane Harwood 36pts |
3rd |
14c Aaron Rowlands 25pts |
| 4th |
79c Rodney Hern 24pts |
5th |
48n Brett Nicholls 22pts |
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| Ramp Race Derby |
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| 1st |
68 Zane Pearson |
2nd |
5 Matthew Miller |
3rd |
88 Rory Garland |
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