Local man, John Tuffley competing at last years South Island Solo Championship
at Oreti Park Speedway

Impressive field for South Island Championships

Some of New Zealand’s hottest speedway talent will line up to contest the South Island Solo Championships at Oreti Park this Saturday.

Moore Park rider Dale Finch, of Christchurch, rates as a definite title contender and is no stranger to success at the Sandy Point circuit, claiming the national U-21 crown there in December.

Oreti Park’s own Grant Tregoning, a three-time NZ U-21 champion who has proved particularly dominant in previous outings, and fellow Cantabrian Andy Aldridge rank among Finch’s toughest rivals. The pair both raced professionally in the UK last year and boast considerable experience.

“None of these riders like the feel of dust in their faces flung up from a bike in front so expect some extremely competitive racing,” Oreti Park Speedway president Fraser Gillespie said.

“It’s an impressive field.”
 
Southland riders John Tuffley and Paul Hayes will undoubtedly keep the young guns honest and certainly have the potential to snatch a podium spot. The experienced duo was in dynamic form competing in the support class of the inaugural Sidecar GP trans-Tasman Test Series earlier this month.
 
Talented youngsters Jeremy Godfrey, Daniel Shuttleworth and Matt Heenan will relish the opportunity to perform in the senior ranks.

“On the day it all comes down to track conditions and who can adapt the quickest to the elements of the good old Southland weather,” Gillespie said.
 
Following Saturday’s fixture, the club’s focus will switch to hosting the New Zealand Sidecar Championships on February 12-13. With 25 teams already confirmed and plenty more predicted, adrenalin-pumping action is a foregone conclusion.