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published 09-04-15


Photo 1 Scott Ayto and Dylan Carnie (19) lead Dallas Kelman and Chay McWilliam (99)
Photo 2 James Douglas and Ricky Pubben (44) lead the way from Craig McMaster and James Douglas (43) and Lionel Green and Shane Breech (73)



Prestigious Sidecar Title On The Line

By Daryl Shuttleworth - Shuttleworth Motorsport Media
Photos Lindsay Withington Photography

One of Southlands most sought after Sidecar titles goes on the line this Saturday at The Russell Cunningham Properties Oreti Park Speedway, when the club hosts the Peter Blick Memorial.

Twenty one sidecars from both Oreti Park and Canterbury have entered the event which once again looks to be spearheaded by current South Island Champions Shaun Kerr and Robin Poole of Invercargill.
The inform pairing have been almost unbeatable at home this season winning the South Island title and the Malcom Officer Memorial as well as the Canterbury Championship away from home, the only clink in their armour being the Southland Championship where they placed second.
Kerr and Poole were also selected for the South Island Sidecar Team which were victorious over the North Island Team over Easter in Christchurch, but had to pull out of the event just days prior.

The pairing will come under plenty of pressure from a number of other teams who have been bridging the gap as the season has gone on, current Southland Champions James Douglas and Ricky Pubben failed to make the final of the Malcom Officer Memorial due to mechanical issues, but will be eager to finish the season on a strong note with just one meeting to go after this weekend.

Kevin McDonald and Karl Hosie placed second at the last meeting held at Oreti Park, the experienced pairing have had a bit of a hit and miss season but will be a front runner for the title, as will Luke Thwaites and Neville Chalmers who just placed third at the New Zealand Short Track Nationals in Christchurch, the pairing also part of the South Island Team.

Erwin Tree had a strong performance in Christchurch last weekend with the swinging duties being handed to Brett Pubben in Nigel Cuckows absence, Cuckow will be back for this weekends action and will be in contention.

Other pairings who have been in form in the last couple of meetings have been Scott Ayto and Dylan Carnie, Aiden Thwaites and Shane Twiss, Dallas Kelman and Chay McWilliam, Stan Ross and Chris Leeden along with Craig McMaster and James Dawson all of who have claimed race wins, and have been unlucky to not make finals.
Jason Kennedy and Myron Anderson along with Bradley and Craig Sharp will also be dark horses, capable on their day of upsetting the competition.

Moore Park in Christchurch will be well represented with Lionel Green and Shane Breech traveling South once again to attempt to upset the Oreti Park party and take the Peter Blick Memorial Trophy North. Green and Breech will be joined by fellow Canterbury teams Jason Riley and Nick Watson, Josh O'Docherty and Brodon Johnston and Wayne Bryce and Damian Burrow.

Oreti Park also welcomes back newly crowned New Zealand Short Track Champions Cormac Buchanan and Hayden Brookland who won titles in Pee Wees and 125cc Solos respectivley.

Support classes in action are A and B grade solos, Pee Wees, 125cc and 200cc solos along with Classic Solos, the event will get underway at the earlier time of 2pm.