The Hanmer Holiday Homes South Island Super Stock Series final had more twists and turns than a Stephen King thriller on Saturday.
What started off looking like a cruise for series leader, Nelson’s Brett Nicholls, after he won the first heat at the Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway, quickly became a nightmare.
In heat two, Brett was left parked up the wall off the start by club mate Alex Bright. The non-finish left him chasing points.
Fellow Nelson driver Shane Harewood took over the series lead with a second and third respectively in the first two races.
However, heat three provided the pivotal change in the scope of the series, Brett went chasing revenge on Alex, while Lance Ashton held up Shane initially, meanwhile Jamie Hamilton was ticking over the laps and points to have a real shot at winning while staying out of the drama.
A near miss in heat two with the wayward car of Jason Fletcher was Jamie’s only close call.
Alex and Brett eventually clashed down the back straight sending them sideways and backwards.
Shane was trying to thread the needle but clipped a car sending him up and over, landing on his roof to effectively end his title aspirations.
The 10 car dash went on without Brett and Shane, giving Jamie the series lead after he won heat three and then the shootout.
The feature heat had Jamie off pole, he shot off and assumed the race lead, the only way he would lose the title was to be stopped, but no-one had a swipe until the white flag lap when Ken Nolan spun him coming out of turn two.
He lost a half a dozen places but not enough to thwart him from winning the series in unlikely fashion.
Jason Fletcher supported his club mates by making a nuisance of himself amongst the Nelson cars, Alex Hill kept his composure to move up to third overall with consistent placings.
Alex could have spun Shane in the final heat to claim second overall, but thought better of it.
They all do battle again in a fortnight in Christchurch for the South Island title.
The TQs ran round two of their club championship with Jayden Corkill and Alicia Maclauchlan tying on points,
Alicia will hold the series lead heading into the final round.
The Trackman Trophy for the side cars was run with Adie Drake and Kieran Satherley claiming another title with two wins and a second.
The Club Championships for street stocks ended with a three-way run-off.
Steve Soper won, from Cody McCarrison and Bradley Evans.
The Modifieds made a return to the track, producing some fast laps.
The feature went to Brandon Parkinson from an improving Dan Rae second and Steve Thompson came home for third.
Speedway takes a week break as they build up for the South Island TQ. Title,
Derby entry forms are available via the club website for the March 25th meeting.
