Canterbury Waterblast ‘Battle of the Stocks’
New look, New format – 32 of New Zealand’s best SuperStock drivers with 16 North Islanders set to hit the Glen along with 16 of the best from the Mainland!
Debuts for this year’s Battle include New Zealand Champion ‘Smoking’ Joe Faram of Napier, up and coming young speedsters Jack Miers & Adam Joblin of Palmerston North and Nelson’s Thomas Stanaway.
Others on debut is recent convert from Stockcars, Wellington Young Gun and Wildcats team member Allan Levien, Paul West and Nelson Tigers star Blair Cunningham in his super quick Tank!
This year we also see the return of multiple New Zealand Champion – The ‘Boss’ Craig Boote in his new Chevy powered Gordge. Throw in regular stars such as current World 240 Champion Andy McCabe,
North Island Champion Graeme Barr, South Island Champion Brett Nicholls and past New Zealand Champions Simon Joblin and our very own Malcolm Ngatai and we are in for a treat. Local drivers such as Jason Smith, Aaron Rowlands and Nick Selfe have shown
great pace in the limited meetings they have raced and will be sure to turn it up a notch for this show.
Whilst we have been starved of SuperStock racing here at the Glen this season, this year’s ‘Battle of the Stocks’ is full of stars who will put on a show not to be missed!
19th Running of the Canterbury Waterblast ‘Battle of the Stocks’
This year’s format slightly differs from what has been used in the past. Each North Island driver is now paired with a South Islander. This unfortunitly comes down to the fact that there are not enough Super Stocks available in Canterbury at the moment but it does mean the competition will be even closer.
The all important draw for partners will be made just before the meeting so listen out to our commentators DJarred and the Professor who will be letting you know who’s paired with whom. They will also be calling out points after the heats to let you know how each pairing is going with their points.
If you’re curious as to pairings or points feel free to wonder down into the pits either after Friday’s racing or before Saturday gets under way. Please note that all spectators will be asked to leave that pit area at 6.30pm both nights.
Current New Zealand Champion “Smoking” Joe Faram has made the trip down from Hawkes Bay and will most definitely be a driver to watch. Look for the 1nz.
With so many top drivers here it’s really hard to know who to pick out and much like Rumble by the River it will most likely come down to the pairs’ who manage to have both drivers finish every race.
The Joblin brothers Simon, Scott and Adam of Palmerston North will be right up the front of the pack as will club mates Peter Bengston and current World 240 Champion Andy McCabe.
Rotorua’s Scott Hewson is lighting fast and as we move to the Southern side of the draw, keep an eye on local hero Malcolm Ngatai, Nick Selfe, Nelson’s Brett Nicholls, and Thomas Stanaway.
Ngatai is determined to perform in front of his home crowd after spending two months of the season racing in the North Island.
“It’s very important that we do well, we have a lot of friends and supporters here that we haven’t seen much of with being away this season, so we want to do the best we can in front of them,” says Ngatai.
One man who needs no introduction is three time former national champion Craig Boote who raced State of Origin night just so he could get himself set up for the Battle. He did a fine job too, picking up two race wins the Nelson driver was very happy with how the car had gone and is confident going into the Battle of the Stocks that he will be right in contention.
“I’m very confident after tonight because that’s the first run this car as had on the track and it really worked well, especially in the last race we were fast then. I’ve always liked this track so I’m very much looking forward to the battle of the Stocks,” Boote said.
As far as the action goes, Huntly’s Warwick Ansty, Palmerston North’s Keven Roberts and Peter Bengston are known for their ability to hit and block although father and son combination Scotty and Jack Miers are both known for roughing it up from the North. As for the Southerners Nelson trio Ricky Boulton, Jared Gray and Blair Cunningham could be critical to the outcome if they are down on points on Saturday.
Who’s going to win is a bit like picking the Lotto numbers before we know the pair’s but my gut instinct says Faram and local Jason Smith will be two drivers who will be on the podium.
By Mat Kermeen.
Full Entry list:
1NZ Joe Faram (Napier), 7n Craig Boote (Nelson), 8p Scott Miers (Palmerston North), 11r Gary Ellis (Rotorua), 12c Nick Selfe (WFG), 14c Aaron Rowlands (WFG), 17c Darrin Cox (WFG), 18n Shane Harwood (Nelson), 19c Malcolm Ngatai (WFG), 27c Peter Field (WFG), 31p Andy McCabe (Palmerston North), 32p Graeme Barr (Palmerston North), 34p Paul West (Palmerston North/WFG), 37b Garry Foley (Napier), 46n Blair Cunningham (Nelson), 74n Ian Clayworth (Nelson), 48c Nigel Anderton (WFG), 48n Brett Nicholls (Nelson), 52p Scott Joblin (Palmerston North), 53p Keven Roberts (Palmerston North), 55c Matt Ngatai (WFG), 58P Peter Bengston (Palmerston North), 62p Adam Joblin (Palmerston North), 72p Simon Joblin (Palmerston North), 87n Thomas Stanaway (Nelson), 88p Jack Miers (Palmerston North), 89c Jason Smith (WFG), 135r Scott Hewson (Rotorua), 186n Jared Gray (Nelson), 282s Phil Ogle (Stratford), 414h Warwick Ansty (Huntly), 861n Ricky Boulton (Nelson).
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