RESULTS Ampro Tools Super Saloon Hoopla! Wednesday 9th January 2008

Hoopla! Hoopla! Hoopla! ... And yet again what a great event this has turned out to be. Bringing out the best of the best in Super Saloon racing and also going live to TV makes this arguably one of "THE MOST" popular shows throughout NZ's speedway calendar.
After 15 heats and the unique "Pole Shuffle" to ensure the fastest drivers had the best opportunity to shine the spotlight was placed on the 30 lap Hoopla! final. 58c Richie Taylor got the early jump on the field and 81m Dean Waddell took up the chase. Newly crowned 3nz Greg Keegan was always a local favourite for this event and he kept the pressure on from the start. The Shane & Shane show were also beginning to make their mark on the race. 26m Shane McIntyre & 12n Shane Carey were both handling the conditions well and always looked like possibilities for podium finishes. A minor mistake by Waddell cost him big time and it wasn't long before Keegan was challenging Taylor for the lead. The final was only interupted by one caution for a spinning car but Keegan just kept his cool and continued pressuring Taylor for the lead. Once Keegan powered past he managed to put some safe distance between himself and Taylor. In the final few laps McIntyre tried hard to pressure Taylor who managed to hold on to the second place overall. McIntyre in turn just managed to hold off the challenging Carey. So yet again Keegan shows the ability of his team to achieve when it comes to the big meetings. Taylor continues his great drives but one has to wonder how many times he has to be "bridesmaid" before he gets his moment of glory. I'm sure this guy is overdue for some change in fortune and soon. And for McIntyre to do so well with his minimal amount of track time at Woodford Glen shows the calibre he is capable of. Well Done to all the place getters.
The Production Saloons helped support the main event and a welcome return by Jo Giles in her 81c Mitsubishi resulted in a win plus a second which I am sure made her and the team most happy.
Now with the risk of being shot down in flames, tonights DON Award (Driver Of the Night) is NOT going to a super saloon driver. It was very difficult to pick with superb drives put in by the likes of 12n Shane Carey, 58c Richie Taylor and 3nz Greg Keegan in the 30 lap Hoopla! final but three great drives resulting in two wins and a second makes Ministock driver 47c Chris Hall this weeks DON winner. Not bad for a 17 year old whos racing against some very seasoned drivers. Well Done Chris.

Anne Opinion
The views expressed by this contributor are not necessarily those of Woodford Glen Speedway Assn, it's Management or Advertisers.
If you have an issue with any of the results or ELS data displayed throughout this website feel free to email the club ... racing@woodfordglen.co.nz

Thanks to Brian Hopping of Mainland Photos for providing track images.

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