Ministock racers go well in Rotorua

A group of 19 youth Ministocks racers from Stratford competed in the Tubby Norris memorial Ministocks held in Rotorua.

The competition, which ran on February 15 and 16, attracted 166 racers from all over New Zealand. Ministock racing is a starting point for many young drivers aged 12 to 16. Although it is a non-contact class, some contact is allowed. It is mainly for younger drivers to learn how to handle their cars, and learn race tactics and rules, before moving up to the bigger classes.

Bayley Betts and Blair Uhlenberg made it a Stratford one-two overall in the Waiariki Polytechnic Plate, which is for ages 13 to 16. Bayley also came first in the Best Pairs, while Blair came third.

In the Stich'n'Print bowl, which is for the same age group, the top Stratford placer was Joshua Evershed, in seventh place, while Conrad Hall was the closest Stratford driver to him, in 12th place. He finished his first race in ninth; but unfortunately did not finish his second race. He then came back to finish fifth in his last race after starting from pole position.

In the Tubby Norris Memorial, for drivers aged 12, Bradley Podjursky led the Stratford racers, coming in fifth, and claiming his first win in qualifying. Brad Uhlenberg was next, coming in at eighth. Bradley Korff won the best pairs, while Bradley Podjursky came second.

In the second night consolation races, made up of drivers who failed to make it into the major competitions, Carol Podjursky made her mark by winning her first race, coming seventh in her second, and winning the third, making her the only Stratford driver to win two races over the weekend.