And so after a great nights racing to find the the qualifiers it was back to Paradise Valley for finals night. Some of the pre-match entertainment was the annual pit crew challenge where two crews go head to head at changing a front wheel. The McRobbie crew successfully defended their title over the Hickey crew.
As 7.00pm rolled around, everyone was eagerly awaiting the repercharge for those who missed qualifying the previous night. This is one of my favourite races of the event and boy did it deliver this time around. Just when you thought things were pretty cut and dried something would happen and completely change the race. Brilliant.
Here is some of the action from the repercharge.
Now to the main event, the finals over three heats. As on night one I only shot the first round of racing so the following pics are from the first heat. As is the norm at Paradise Valley, a lot of the action takes place in turns one and two and so many driver's races were won or lost negotiating the carnage. It is really interesting to watch how different drivers approach turn one at the start of the race.
The line up for heat one of the finals.
Some of the ensuing action from heat one.
The final heat would turn out to be a Palmy benefit which was a reversal of the recently run NZ Champs at the same venue where the Nelson boys made the crucial plays. However this time around I think the sheer weight in numbers of P cars made the difference. I was more than happy with the outcome as the 1st and 2nd placegetters are currently two of my favourite drivers to watch and like a dose of dejavu these two drivers would meet in a run off after ending heat three equal on points. Who doesn't like a run off to decide a major title. It is unfortunate though how the run off ended with a wheel going astray over the fence, initially heading directly in my direction although I was well back and out of harms way. Glad the spectator that copped it was not seriously hurt. At this stage I made for the gate for the drive back to Auckland.
Congratulations to the following drivers, you really earned your spots.
1st - Peter Rees 3NZ (what more can you say about him)
2nd - Scott Joblin 2NZ (damn wheel)
3rd - Graeme Barr 32P (oh so close)
1st Superstock in Paradise - Dale Ewers 1NZ (well deserved)
Well that's it for another year. Will be hoping that Peter, Scott and Dale can make the trip to the UK later in the year and crack the BRISCA World title.
To all the competitors, crews and the Rotorua club members, thanks again for a truely great event. Lastly thanks to all the sponsors of the event and namely the NZ Welding School for their continued support.
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