Ministock title to Musgrove

Even being spun in the final heat couldn't stop Wellington's Jayden Musgrove from retaining the Manawatu Youth Ministock title at Arena Manawatu on Saturday night.

The grandson of former Wellington Wildcats driver Brian Musgrove, Jayden drove brilliantly in the final heat.

He came from the back of the field after his spin to the midfield and secured enough points to head off Palmerston North duo Zac Harris and Jack Miers.

Harris then beat Miers in a runoff for second.

It's interesting that many of the top youth ministock drivers come from well-known speedway families. Jack Miers' father is Scott Miers and Zac Harris' father is sprintcar and Harrisville speedway owner Brent Harris. Peter Rees has two sons racing, Ethan and Asher and former national champion Gary Parkes has son Dion and daughter Renee both racing.

With only three Palmerston North streetstock drivers in the disappointing field of just 15 for the Manawatu title, it was always going to be tough for a home-town victory.

The most consistent Manawatu driver in recent seasons, Dean Dingwall, will regret a spin in the opening race which cost him the title. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Dingwall won the second heat and secured enough points in the final race to finish second overall, behind top Hawke's Bay driver Richard Houston.

Houston did well to dodge the attention of the Wellington visitors, especially on the last lap when he got by two cars to take the title.

Wellington's Wayne Draper finished third in a runoff with Hawke's Bay's James Churchward when he expertly shunted him off the track on the final lap.

Palmerston North Panthers Superstock team-mates, Wayne Hemi and Peter Rees, continued their battle with Hemi winning the opening race, but playing second-fiddle to Rees in the next two races.

Hawke's Bay's Joe Faram had the pace to foot it with both Rees and Hemi.

Veteran Steve Mudgway won his first solo race in a season and finished third in the feature, which was won by his youngest son, Cody. Mudgway's eldest son Jade is due back from a successful professional season in England shortly to bolster the solo ranks.

Craig Healey continued his winning run in the stock cars with another rising star, Jordan Dare, winning a race and second in the feature to Rees.

In the minisprints, Nathan Jefferies won the feature, with other races going to Chad Ace and Quin Clark.

- © Fairfax NZ News