Ellesmere Raceway July meeting hosted the final round of the South Island ATV Speedway Championships. This has not been held for several years and the local ATV club had been looking for a track to reignite this championship. Ellesmere obliged and 20 ATV’s from as far a way as Cromwell and Blenheim took part in the three round series in two divisions. The ATV club were well organised and the Open Grade displayed some very fast and close racing on the Ellesmere oval.
Tim George (again doing double duties in the Modified sprint), took out the Open Title a clear winner on 211 points. The next four placings required two count backs as 2nd place Craig Pointon was tied with 3rd placed Rob Stone on 167. Fourth went to Chris Cunard from Nina McVicar, both on 162. Incredible close for the minors when you consider this championship had been run over three different days involving nine races. The Clubman Class saw Wade Thompson come in on 206 from Greg Wilson – 167, Jaime Dillon – 162, Brenda Wilson – 145 and Greg Leng 122 points. The event used rotational grids and a MNZ points scoring system.
Joining them to round out a good day for motorcycles were the Motor Cross boys. Brendan Wilson won all three events which included the feature with James Duthie was the second best rider on the day. Wayne Turner (jrn) rounded out the A grade. Jeremy Tallott and Craig McIllraigth were the most consistent in the B grade while Murray Chapple and Jason Palmer picked up wins. McIllraigth won the wheelie competition from Chappell, Wilson and Richard Foster.
Tim George dominated the Modified Sprint racing with Nathan Astle putting in the laps to be the next best. In similar fashion Richard Stubbs had a clean run in the six cylinder sprint class. Andrew P was very consistent debuting in the 9 car while Troy McGillicuddy picked up second in his first race. B Grade saloons was a close event between Lindsay McQuillan who managed to sneak home one point ahead of Lance Maher. Third was Ron Koole who got caught up in a tangle in the very slippery conditions. This damaged Koole's chances for a win overall. 12 cars fronted for the C grade and it was close at the top end. Dave Maze and Dave Hogwood were there while behind them Paul Thomas, Murray Falgar and Gary Cornish were even with Phil Coxshall close behind. Hobbies were best represented by Aaron Ryan ahead of Chris Miles, Chloe Turner and Ray Massey.
Several vintage speedway cars had a run. This included the vintage TQ’s of Mike Parker and Ray Smith. Midgets of Keith Schumacher and Peter Yeatman and the heavy rod, restored in super modified livery, of Ray Humphries.
Media: Warrick Korstanje July 2010
