Towler aims to match old man's streetstock feats
Hawke's Bay streetstock driver Tim Towler admits time is running out in his quest to match or better father Bill's four provincial championship titles.
"But if I could win this weekend that would be a step in the right direction," Towler said as he pondered the 18-car Hawke's Bay championship to be staged at Meeanee on Saturday night.
A veteran of 10 years in the class, Towler, 29, almost won the title for the first time four years ago or to be precise won it and then had it taken away on a technicality.
"Going into the last race I was leading on points. I won the race and did the victory lap with the chequered flag but I then lost the title because another driver protested that my safety net came down during the race. A driver's safety net must be up at all times," Towler recalled.
In his younger days Towler (pictured above, photo John Faulkner) often paid the price for being too hot headed and eager to gain revenge for any attempt by someone to take him out.
"That's how I broke my back during the early days in the class. Dad [who also won the national championship and six East Coast championship titles] told me if someone takes me out don't seek revenge straight away.
"They will be more brassed off if I just pass them later on. These days I'm a bit more level headed and think about things a bit more," the driver of a six cylinder BA Falcon-powered car explained.
While defending champion Darren Melling is racing out of the Bay this weekend Towler, a father of two, pointed out quality is scattered throughout the field. Clubmate and multiple winner of the title, Brent Redington, has also been in top form recently.
Fancied visitors include Rotorua's Mike King, who won the national title at Meeanee last year, and his father Alan King.
"It's my dream to match of better Dad's number of titles and I don't intend to leave the class in a hurry," Towler added.
People who know Towler know he likes a challenge. His best was defying the odds after spending two-and-a-half months in an induced coma after collecting life threatening head, neck, lower spine and facial injuries following a bicycle accident in 2004.
The first demolition derby of the season will be the main support event. At least 20 starters are expected and these drivers will also get a non-contact street race earlier in the night so they are prepared for the derby, the final event on the programme.
A 27-strong ministock class, 25-strong stockcar class, 15-strong superstock class and 10-strong mixed saloon class will complete the support classes.
Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes superstock team members Quinn Ryan and Kairyn O'Brien have had mechanical issues recently and are eager to make sure they have been sorted in the countdown to the most prestigious event on the Speedway New Zealand calendar - the Palmerston North-hosted ENZED Teams Champs on February 6 and 7.
O'Brien has the sixth driver role with the team which also includes former 1NZ Randal Tarrant (pictured above), driver-manager Mike McLachlan, Quintin Butcher, Hayden Hart and another of the Bay's former 1NZs, Magpies rugby prop Jason Long, who has the technical advisor role.
