The New Zealand Youth Ministock Team headed across the ditch at the end of February to compete in the two-year Trans-Tasman Ministock Challenge.
The 2025 New Zealand team consisted of six talented drivers: 93R Blake Fraser (Rotorua), 52P Boston Joblin (Palmerston North), 58G Koby Gooch (Gisborne), 16B Payton Swannell (Meeanee), 191R Aidan Tidd (Rotorua) and back-to-back Rotorua Ministock Champion 971R George Crawford (Rotorua).
“Being selected and invited into the New Zealand Youth Ministock Team was an absolute thrill, and thanks to the organisers for getting this up and running again.” Said Crawford.
“The opportunity to race internationally is an honour, and I’ll do my best to represent myself and the team, both on and off the track.
“My whole family are travelling and looking forward to catching up with the Aussie crew again; it will be a fun trip. Hopefully, we will bring the silverware home.”
The 2025 Australian team had some strong contenders. #2 Max Long, #222 Kaden Harrison, #89 Jett Downs, #88 Mackenzie Silver, Team Captain #34 Baxter Trouchet and Junior State Title winner #81 Oscar Amato.
The NZ team headed to Perth early to enjoy some downtime before racing. They visited a racing sim centre, Collie Speedway, and Perth Motorplex to watch the Western Top Fuel Drag Nationals.
The Trans-Tasman Challenge consisted of three rounds: Round 1 on March 7, Round 2 on March 8, and the final round on March 12. Three rounds were held at Perth Motorplex and one at Narrogin Speedway.
Both teams gave it their all going into three action-packed nights of racing with the pressure at an all-time high to represent their countries, but there could only be one winner: Team New Zealand! Back-to-back Trans-Tasman Ministock Challenge Champions!
Last night in a thrilling finale at Perth Motorplex, Team New Zealand was crowned the 2025 Trans-Tasman Ministock Challenge Champions! This was a top-class effort from the team, their crew, families, and sponsors.
The last feature race of the three-round event saw Australian #88 Mackenzie Silver take the chequered flag to win, with NZ59 Koby Gooch in 2nd and NZ971 George Crawford in 3rd. Silver won Heat 1, and Gooch won Heat 2 prior. With points in mind, Team New Zealand came out on top. Congratulations to Payton Swannell, Boston Joblin, Koby Gooch, Blake Fraser, Aidan Tidd, and George Crawford.
Header Image: New Zealand Youth Ministock Team Facebook
