Hometown grand prix victory likely

With 49 hometown drivers competing, it would be a surprise to see the New Zealand Grand Prix title go to anyone other than a Palmerston North driver.

Almost 120 stockcar drivers from around the country will race in five groups in tonight's qualifying at Arena Manawatu to find the 30 finalists for tomorrow's three-heat final.

With the country's top drivers scattered among each group of 24 drivers – and only six from each group making the final – just getting through qualifying will be a victory in itself.

The biggest threat to a Palmerston North victory is sure to come from Wellington, which is led by national champion Richard Gaskin and No2 Dale Robertson, who made such an impressive debut at the North Island superstocks last weekend.

With 22 starters, Wellington is the second-best team represented, while Whanganui has 14.

Green Group (1) is led by Gaskin and Wellington team-mate Darren Gray, while former Wellington Young Gun Allen Levien (Whanganui) is also a major threat. Josh Hancock (Stratford), Ian Barron (Hawke's Bay), Mark Costello (Rotorua) and Ryan Hunt (Mount Maunganui) are all favoured drivers. The best Palmerston North drivers are Rob Miers, Nathan Harris and Gavin Lammas.

The Yellow Group (2) will be cut-throat. It includes Robertson and another Wellington star, Paul Gaskin, with Scott Fredrickson (Mount Maunganui), Gary Lonergan (Auckland), Paul Ross (Christchurch) and Brendon Beazley (Rotorua) all strong contenders. Local hopes are Todd O'Donnell, Gary Davis, Neil Coley and Bevan Humphrey.

The Gold Group (3) is led by Peter Rees in his new tank and with Rob Mason, Bevan Shannon, Gareth Edwards and one of the young stars of the Oval, Darrel Wallace, are the best from Palmerston North. Visiting drivers are led by the hard-charging Dion Mooney (Whanganui), with Michel Willemsen and Chris Flett (Stratford) both quick drivers, while Andrew Murphy (Nelson) is highly rated in the South Island.

Jordan Dare is one of the up and coming drivers on the Oval and must fancy his chances in the Red Group (4). Along with Brett Lloyd – a regular winner this season – Jamie Southee, Alec Wilson, George Frear and Grant Walsh have all shown potential to finish on the podium.

With Rees, the driver to beat in Gold group is Richard Keijzer (Rotorua), who has long been one of the stars of the stockcar class.

The Blue Group (5) is the most open, with any of the starters in with a show of making the final.

Superstock driver Brett Hyslop, Josh Prentice and Ikey Hautapu look the biggest Palmerston North threats. Carl Vanderwiel (Wellington), Scott Haywood (Mount Maunganui), Tony Palmer (Hawke's Bay) and Nicky Johnston (Rotorua) are the most likely visitors to qualify.

Previous winners: 2003: Steve Hampton (Mount Maunganui), 2004: Scott Redfern (Huntly), 2005: Tony Wootton (Huntly), 2006: Clive Pritchard (Rotorua), 2007: Shane Simpson (Palmerston North), 2008: Richard Gaskin (Wellington), 2009: Peter Rees (Palmerston North).

- © Fairfax NZ News