The Richmond Exhaust and Radiator Specialists / Prokut NZ Streetstock Championship packed in more action than the entire Die-Hard trilogy, just when you that though they had eclipsed the action level, they turned up another notch, the suspense left you hanging and in Scott Palmer’s case that was taken literally, dangling on the fence after a mistimed shot back-fired. The summer heat was extraordinary, but that was equally matched by the action, never a dull moment as cars were sent flying to all parts of the track, a couple of drivers on the receiving end of a SNZ short holiday. The North Island numbers dropping after more festive ferry issues left the NZ title Gooch-less after 15 years, not to worry they will be based at their home track in Gizzy next year. The first big surprise on the cards was the defending champion Jareb Verdoner’s title reign ending in just 11 laps, a flat tyre on lap 3 in his first heat before retiring with engine issues just 8 laps into heat 2 to end his time with the 1nz on the side of the car. 

The flat tyre fairy was blocked from coming through the gates but must’ve flown over the fence to strike at a couple of top contenders as the looked like they would get through comfortably, 2nz Benji Smaill one that had to head to the repercharge after a heat 3 flatty left him shy by just 3 points of getting through. 

The Repercharge looking like a who’s who of top drivers chasing just 2 spots to make the finals, Tom McSherry pinged for contact after the finish line, not seeing the checkered flag, that cost him his heat points. Andre Musgrove was on the cusp of qualifying but was picked up and sent flying high, the wagon looking more like a saloon with the entire back roof caved in. Mitch Lavender managed to qualify but blew the engine returning to the pits, an all-nighter to swap engines with Father Bill to get the car back out for the championship. The Lift n Shift group opened proceedings, the 1st heat win going to local driver Laurie Harrington after 20 years away from racing, he grabbed the lead and never looked back. Matt Peterson took heat 2, the former S.I. champion and saloon car driver showing plenty of speed. 

The final heat went to the Auckland driver of Cory Te Rito, needing all the points in the final heat to sneak into championship group, a popular win for the well-travelled driver. The heat winners joined by Cory Schumacher, Perry Soper and Jacob Campbell. MG group was next out, the former champion Allan Finch parked up after lap 4 after the flat tyre ferry paid a visit, results and DNF’s needed for other cars to aid his cause, Benji Smaill was to suffer the same issue in heat 3, leaving him 4 points off the top six cars, two major drivers heading to the repercharge. Heat wins to Bailly Gilliam, Cody McCarrison and Norton Gowans who joined Cody Pedley, Taylor Lynch and Scott Palmer as qualifiers. Estel’s group was one that was decided in the final heat, plenty of drivers with a chance but a lack of friends costing some a title shot, Shane Bracken taking a huge hit,leaving his bonnet lying on the track. Tom McSherry’s indiscretion costing him with a DQ, Jono Garthley thought his title chances were gone after a flat tyre in heat 2 but the heat 3 win was enough to get him through,12 of the 18 cars not finishing all 3 heats. Heat winners Kahu Epiha, Paul Leslie and Garthley were joined by Mitch Lavender, Cody Finch and Thomas Macloud in the finals. The Ansco group was topped by a couple of wise-old men of Streetstocks, Simon Bland flying the V finished as points leader, just a point behind was 50-year veteran Steve Dryden, still hoping to keep or improve on the 3nz on his door. It was mayhem in the final heat; the huge rollover of Andre Musgrove left the crowd stunned. It took a run-off to decide the top 6, Shaun Andrew getting the better of good mate former 2nz Mike Jones, Andrew’s quicker reaction time getting him into the finals. He was joined by S.I. champion Ben Jenkins, Buddy Finch and Jordan Gillespie along with the 2 oldies. The Super Saloon SuperCup ran their opening round, 20 cars making the trip, the most cars visiting for almost a decade. It was a tough night for the 1nz of Mark Osborne, two incidents including hitting a parked car at full speed with nowhere to go. It was better news for son Ashton, taking the pole shuffle and feature wins, Auckland’s Bodie Abrahamson taking a heat win and 2nd in the feature The Youth Ministocks were the support group, Eli Gare and Jack Anderton sharing 2 heat wins apiece, a full field once again with a few off their mentor program for the first time. The heat continued in night 2, the Repercharge was always going to be a doozy with the amount of talent that missed out on qualifying directly, it didn’t take long to see who’s chances went out the door and switched to block mode, Run-off loser Mike Jones took off and let the rest of the field battle out the other qualifying spot, Daniel Baldwin sitting in 2nd for 7 laps but dropping off in a tangle with Smaill, McSherry and Finch, it allowed Ryan Musgrove to sneak into 2nd, it was a messy last few laps with cars scrambling everywhere, Musgrove losing his ELS recording as he crossed the finish line sideways, but making the championship group.   The opening championship race was done on speed, everyone trying to bank points to set themselves up for title contention, Jono Garthley starting on grid 6 taking the lead on lap 8 to take the win, Paul Leslie was second with Simon Bland coming halfway thru the field to round up the top 3, Cory Schumacher, Shaun Andrew and Kahu Epiha becoming block cars after failing to get points. Heat 2 started with a bang, heat 1 mover Baily Gilliam getting targeted early on, slowing his race progress down, but it was bittersweet justice as his attacker Kahu Epiha was left upside down and out of the race. Things went pear-shaped for a few, Simon Bland suffering major damage in the front right corner, dragging the wheel under the car before referee’s ended his title tilt. It was the end of the road for Steve Dryden, parked infield knowing the 3nz was coming off the car, 8 drivers not completing heat2. 

Ben Jenkins took out heat 2, Jacob Campbell finished 2nd for a Dunedin 1-2, Cory Schumacher in 3rd. The North Island challenge gone on behalf of Shaun Andrew who took to Simon Bland causing his damage and then taking out Cory Te Rito. The final heat set-up with Garthley leading from Mitch Lavender with a 3-point buffer, Leslie sitting in 3rd a point back then Jacob Campbell 7 points off the lead. The Nelson cars needing some major failures to get a sniff, Musgrove and Soper 18 points away from the lead. The fireworks started straight away, Mitch Lavender parked up after 2 laps, the Dunedin cars struggling to stop the onslaught of the Canterbury blockers, Paul Leslie having a couple of cars running shot-gun as he ran untouched throughout the race, Shaun Andrew surprising most pundits when he took to Jono Garthley, that was the first of multiple attacks that sent Garthley backwards down the field. 

Cody McCarrison another to have a nudge, Jacob Campbell was only able to last a few laps before retiring, the race coming down to which Canterbury car would take the title, Matt Peterson taking the race lead, he was Leslie’s closest rival on points through most of the race. The cars were dropping like flies, hit after hit, Scott Palmer having swipe on Ryan Musgrove only be left hanging in the fence on the turn 4 wall. 24 cars started the race but only 13 cars made it across the finish line. 

Garthley fighting off the hits and getting some luck with so many cars retiring, he was able to finish in 11th spot to tie with Matt Peterson for 2nd= when the race was done and dusted, Paul Leslie winning his 2nd title after claiming his first in Blenheim 3 years ago, a run-off needed to fill the remaining podium positions. Mike Jones did the most laps of the weekend, losing the group run-off then going through the repercharge before finishing 4th overall in front of S.I. Champion Ben Jenkins in 5th. The run-off was a  game of cat and mouse after Peterson got the better of Garthley after a couple of fast laps, Garthley then went into slow mode waiting for Peterson to come round, it was a slow creep as Matt slowly played possum behind Garthley, following each other up and down the track, waiting for Peterson to make the passing move, it seemed like hours before a sudden move caught out Garthley and Peterson shot away to claim 2nd place in the title. The championship podium full of Canterbury drivers for the 4th time in Streetstock history. The non-qualifiers final was a sprint race, Benji Smaill unchallenged in the lead, Allan Finch sneaking into 2nd after Tom McSherry dropped from 2nd on lap 10 before Jason Fox snuck into 3rd with a couple of laps to go, most drivers happy to save their cars for next week’s NZ GP in Blenheim. The amount of bent steel could fill a skip bin, while the tyre shop will do a roaring trade as well. The SuperCup ran their 2nd round, once again it was a case of trying to catch Aston Osborne, Father Mark having a much better run finishing 2nd in the feature after an epic battle with Bodie Abrahamson, it was a tough night for Dale Bigwood, having nowhere to go behind a spinning car and a chasing pack, it was a huge roll on to his roof, the rescue taking quick measures to keep an eye on leaking liquids coming from the car, the driver being left in the car while getting it up righted, a few long nights in the shed to repair the damage. It was great to see the large number of cars turn up, it’s been a hard slog for the club to get drivers to front, while the local boys have spent long hours on the road with little racing on home soil. The Super Stocks had a final hit out before their NZ title next week in Welly, Luke Higgins picking up 2 wins with Shane Harwood claiming the 3rd, a small field with a couple of cars packed away ready for next week. The Youth Ministocks filled in the gaps, Locky Martin grabbing 2 wins before jumping in the 16c of Ava Osborne for a 3rd placing, Eli Gare and Cort Higgins also taking race wins. The NZ Streetstock title done and dusted, the visitors enjoying the scorching Tasman weather and some top-notch racing, the clubrooms buzzing at the Meet and Greet on Thursday enjoying a BBQ, then again after the racing on Saturday with Sammy’s, Savouries and plenty of Bacon and Egg pie. The tubes of sunscreen near empty as Paul Leslie heads home with the 1nz back on the side of his car.

Article added: Monday 12 January 2026