5th April 2003

There was high cloud in the morning but the sun certainly came out in the afternoon to give us a perfect nights racing  for the final meeting of the year for the Gisborne Pak n Save Speedway Stock Car Champ of Champs, and my Dads Memorial Trophy. We had 5 Super Saloon cars, 5p Steve Flynn, 6p Grant Flynn, 25h Don Galletly, 97m Pat McGrath, 35m Darren McKinley and my  Limited Saloon.

Race 1. Had me starting on the start finish line and the Supers 1/2 lap down, the race was under way and I knew that these guys weren't going to muck around. I kept quite a bit of gap between myself  and the Supers until about 3 laps to go 35m and 97m had a come together through turns 1 and 2, so on came the yellow light. The pressure was on me to keep these guys at bay, I had a feeling that Steve Flynn was right behind me followed by his brother Grant, we did three laps under the yellow then we got the green and I was off like a rocket, when the white flag came out I knew that they weren't going to pass, so I went on to win the first race . 

Race 2.  As the Supers thought I had too much of a handicap the Saloon Rep started the Supers 1/4 lap down, now the pressure was right on me to do well again to get maximum points. We were off and as luck would have it I SPUN UP through turns 3&4 (you wouldn't believe it first lap incident and I went to the infield, I had a brain fade should have stopped on the track for a restart) but the Supers led by 35m Darren McKinley went screaming past me, I re entered the race just behind Pat McGrath who was in 4th place so Pat and I were having a good duel with each other for the whole of the race, but in the end the 79 car went over the line ahead and I finished in 5th place. 

Race 3.  Before we started the race Steve was on 10 points, Grant, Darren, and myself were on 8 points, the race was under way and I had the hammer down, but with 5 laps to go Grant Flynn in the number 6 car got an outside pass on me to take the lead by this time I knew the other supers weren't going to be far away. We had 3 laps to go and I got a real shunt from behind then I  could see the number 5 car of Steve Flynn trying to have a go at me first though the inside then the outside, and on the white flag Steve went past me to put him into 2nd place behind his brother Grant who went on to win race 3 and I finished in 3rd place.  At the end of it all Steve Flynn went on to win my Dads Trophy with 15 points, Grant Flynn finished behind on 14 points and I finished 3rd on 13 points, so yet again my Dads Trophy eludes me for the 5th year and I must agree I was disappointed not to win, but I will try again next year. 

We were already to load our cars onto the trailers when Grant Flynn went and asked the Clerk of the Course Myles Richardson if the Saloons could have a 4th race as luck would have it Myles agreed, as this was a bonus for us I asked the former owner of my car Mark Osbourne (who was here racing  his stockcar) if he would like to go out in my car, he was a bit hesitant at first but then he said " Yeah why not". After a few seat belt adjustments Mark was ready. (take into place since I brought the car from Mark the seat has been lowered and shifted back, a new Steering wheel, and the cars has a new power steering rack) Mark started on pole with the Supers 1/4 lap down again the race was under way and it didn't take long for Mark to get to the grips with the car again and after 2 laps he looked like he had never stepped out of it and from where I was sitting and I don't mind admitting he was showing me how my car should be driven gee it looked impressive. After about 5 laps Mark was about 1/2 a lap ahead of the first of the Supers 79m and 5p. Steve was trying everything to pass Pat but as the track was slick it was becoming harder and harder for Steve to get passed. Then coming out of turn 4 Steve Flynn was into the wall big time which brought the yellow lights on and the big lead that Mark had was diminished, now it was bumper to bumper with Mark leading, Pat in second, Darren in third, and Don in 4th place. On the infield were both the Flynn brothers (don't know what happened to Grants car) so now the pressure was on the 16g Limited car as they went to green Pat McGrath tried to underpass Mark but he wasn't having anything to do with it and this duel lasted for 5 laps but Mark was Awesome and went on to win a well deserved  race, I was thrilled and so was Mark.

Overall the nights racing in all categories  was great and it was good to race at home again, and credit goes out to the Gisborne Club for running another great night.  

The next meeting for the 16g team is at Meeanee Speedway Napier for the East Coast Champs on the 18th and 19th April.  

Cheers

Doug Walsh