Stockcars to invade Arena Manawatu

Arena Manawatu, for the third time, will host a six-team stockcar Teams Invasion tomorrow night.

It has become one of the feature meetings over three years with many who turn up saying it rivals the national teams' superstock championships in February.

The hits may not be quite as hard, but stockcar fans will tell you there are more of them.

With eight team races and two of New Zealand's premier teams, including the Young Guns who transform into the Terminators for this event, and the Pumas, the teams will be out to gain an edge before the national event in Wellington.

Wellington and the Pumas have shared the two previous outings at the Robertson Holden Speedway, with Wellington retaining the national title.

There's added spice this year with former Pumas stalwart Scott McIntosh now in the Wellington side. Plenty of action can be expected if the Pumas and Young Guns win their groups, with no love lost between Pumas' star Peter Rees and McIntosh.

Track manager Bryan Puklowski said the Pumas team for Wellington wasn't finalised yet and would be decided after the Teams Invasion.

Led by Rees, the Pumas also include one of the Oval's hardest hitting drivers, Ron Tye, who is sure to turn right on anyone passing him, while Gary Davis has been impressive this season. The return of the flying Graeme Ward gives the team plenty of speed, while up and comers Darrel Wallace and Alec Wilson are stars of the future.

Wellington has a familiar look with experienced members Dale Robertson, Kyle Lane and brothers Richard and Paul Gaskin.

Unlike the superstocks, stockcar teams racing is more unpredictable with any team capable of winning, like the Wanganui Vulcans, which also have a powerful team. And any of the Manawatu Steelers, Stratford Stormers or Meeanee Maulers could knock over the top two.

Wanganui is led by the fearless Dion Mooney and have former Wellington drivers Hilton Parker and Allen Levien. Stratford includes Mark Coxhead and Chris Flett, two drivers who raced impressively at the superstock team champs in their stockcars.

Meeanee, from Napier, have Regan O'Brien and the popular Beatle Tarrant leading their team.

Manawatu Steelers George Frear, Brett Lloyd and Rob Mason would still be hoping to make the final Pumas team, and with a team that also includes Neil Coley, Ikey Hautapu and Tony Norman, a win wouldn't be a shock.

There's plenty of interest in the superstocks as well, firstly to see who joins Rees and Wayne Hemi in the team to host the Nelson Tigers in their annual Challenge Cup clash on the Oval on December 5.

There was plenty of attacking last week with Englishman Kev Smith handing it out and being on the receiving end of most of it.

With Peter Bengston and Scott Miers out injured and both Brent Hyslop and Craig Humphries unavailable, the two places and reserve are up for grabs.

The impressive Andy McCabe is apparently available, while it's unsure whether Shane Penn still needs time to get his new car set up after debuting it last week in the Manawatu champs.

- © Fairfax NZ News