• Bay's Loveridge unlucky, Kihi Kihi's Ellis claims title

Bay's Loveridge unlucky, Kihi Kihi's Ellis claims title

Hawke's Bay stockcar driver Brett Loveridge was a man of mixed emotions after the New Zealand championship ended at Meeanee last night.


"I don't know whether to laugh or cry but I'm proud ... proud of the great home support I had," Loveridge told fans after the Hawke's Bay Door-sponsored 212-car championship, the biggest event, numbers wise, in Speedway New Zealand history.


With four laps remaining Loveridge was top on points and leading the third and final heat. However he was taken out in a spectacular hit from Stratford's William Hughes.


Earlier in the heat Loveridge (pictured below) had received solid protection from clubmates Cameron Swift, the only Bay driver to qualify via the repechages, and Kairyn O'Brien.


"Stratford were the better club on the night. I got into a good position but it wasn't to be. We've got to hold our heads high and come back better next year," Loveridge added.


Kihi Kihi's Ben Ellis, who secured the final berth in the top 30 with a third placing in the second repechage, won the title. Stratford's Sheldon Arapere won a three-car run off for second which saw Aucklander Gary Lonergan finish third overall and Stratford-contracted Hawke's Bay export Karlin Painter-Dudley fourth.



"This is unbelievable ... it probably won't be until next week when I realise what I have done," Ellis told the 5600-strong crowd afterwards.


"Obviously I was helped by a few of the other drivers being taken out. Some mates helped out and other boys helped out," Ellis said.


"This has always been a dream. But I had no expectations ... I was just rapt to finish all seven races over the weekend," Ellis added.


Nelson's defending champion Ben Smith and Palmerston North's Luke Miers were both among the top three after heat two but their points recorded in heat two were excluded after the pair failed to go to the weight station after the race. 


Canterbury qualifier Colin Cameron was excluded from last night's championship races after failing to attend the driver's meeting. He protested the call but was unsuccessful.  


Hawke's Bay's Regan Penn (pictured below) won the Tier 2 title by two points from Stratford's Carol Podjursky. Rotorua's Dion Henderson and Huntly's James Marshall won the Best Pairs title from Hawke's Bay's Brandon Symes and Aucklander Dillon Williamson.


Hawke's Bay's Mike McLachlan and Aucklander Matt Stone were third.