BIG V8 WEEKEND AT RUAPUNA

This weekend the Xpress Printing House Ruapuna Speedway hosts one of the highlights of its season when the Sprintcar Summer Slam kicks off on Friday night (January 29) with the 2nd Annual 'Salute to Goodie' and then on Saturday (January 30) its the 8th Annual Gold Cup. 

Among the twenty four strong entry list is a big contingent of drivers from up north including three former Gold Cup winners in Ricky Logan (USA), Allan Wakeling (Auckland) and Colin Entwhistle (Bay park), along with current national
champion Dean Brindle (Auckland), former national champion Jamie McDonald (Auckland) and crowd pleaser Skinny Colson (Bay Park).

Last season Colson won the New Zealand Sprintcar Grand Prix and he is rated by many as a favourite for the forthcoming New Zealand Championships being held at Cromwell.

Making a return to Ruapuna is Nelson Hartley from Palmerston North who raced here at the Christmas Classic while Ashburton's Kerry Barlett who bases his racing campaign out of Bay Park will make his first South Island appearance for the summer.

Making their Ruapuna debuts will be Aucklanders Daniel Eggleton and Jeremy Halpin and Wellingtons Martin Halcrow, a former Super Saloon driver who has now shifted across to Sprintcar racing.

The local boys have all been showing good form this year, with  Jamie Duff hitting good form at the right time last week when he took out the feature, heading home Nelson's Rookie driver Greg Teece who has been super impressive in the Freeman Motor Sports car.

Danny Mayson returns to the seat of his car this weekend after sitting out recent events but its not likely to take him long to get on the pace, while other front running locals Ray Baughan and Matt Honeywell are sure to be prominent.

Also sure to shine is 'Scotti Savage' who had originally decided to sit this season out but a last minute change of mind sees him back in front running form, while Steve Mora has shown on numerous occasions how fast he is when he gets his nose into fresh air. The same applies to Greg Clemence in his 'Retro' chassied 358 Chev powered machine. Clemence finished third in the Gold Cup several years ago and can be very tough to get by when he has got 'wind in the sails'.

Heading the list of entrants from down the line are Cromwell's Jason Scott and Corey 'Half' Price- both of these guys are regulars here at Ruapuna who know their way around Ruapuna like they do their home track.