Speed and quick reactions are among the qualities required for success in Sprint Car racing, and the need to be quick off the mark has never been more important than it is this season, with over-subscribed entry lists being the order of the day at Baypark Speedway.
With sprint car entries pouring in from around the country, Baypark closed off entries for its traditional Labour Weekend season opener earlier this week. A field of 29 drivers is set to line up on Saturday evening.
And it’s not just quantity. The field is headed by reigning national Daniel Thomas of Hamilton and includes former champs Jamie Larsen (Kapiti), Jamie McDonald (Auckland), Rodney Wood (Tauranga), Michael Pickens (Auckland) and Dean Brindle (Hamilton).
Further depth is added with a visit from Christchurch racer Matthew Leversedge – who finished third at the NZ title in 2023 – making the trip north to get his racing season underway.
The Midget Car grid is also impressive, with 10-time national champ Michael Pickens heading a 24-strong field. Aaron Hodgson, Peter Hunnibell and Brad Mosen are among the other likely front runners and Christchurch racer Jeremy Webb is another title-winning driver entered this weekend.
It’s a curtain raiser to a big summer of Midget Car action with international events over the Christmas-New Year holiday break, plus the North Island title at Baypark in January.
Notable news in the Midget ranks sees young Tauranga racer Luke McClymont making his Midget Car debut with the Seamount Racing team after being the pace-setter in the Six Shooter class in recent seasons.
Super Stocks are the other headline category on the programme at the season opener, with the class also looking strong for the coming season as 14 Baypark registered drivers and two visitors form the grid for night one action.
Racing starts at 6.30 pm with pre-race entertainment from the Franklin Farm Freestyle MX team from 5.40 pm.
Words & Images: Supplied
