Houghton crowned Stock Car GP champion after wild finals
Local driver Charlie Boon, 66e, after winning the last heat in the championship race. Photo: Rebecca Connor Maling.
Eastern States Speedway delivered two nights of frantic racing as it hosted the Bridgestone Blenheim New Zealand Stock Car Grand Prix, held just a week after the national championship in Christchurch.
All eyes were on new 2NZ Harley Robb, the former South Island Champion running strong with his new RRR race car. Former Eastern States driver 3NZ Riley Eathorne was also tipped for success after his strong result the previous week.
Friday was qualifying night, with 24 drivers to progress directly and another six to join them through a repechage on finals night. Four local drivers made it through on points, with Troy Cleveland, Wade Sweeting, Jack Rarity and Charlie Boon all finishing in the top six of their groups. Melissa Gifford fought hard in the repechage, finishing fifth to secure her spot in the championship field.
The first finals heat opened with a major pile up that took several contenders out. Eathorne claimed the win, while Sweeting and Cleveland were forced to withdraw, ending their night. Heat two saw Robb take the flag, while regular visitor Roydon Winstanley stayed well in the points heading into the decider.
The final heat lived up to its reputation for drama. Another heavy pile up left Robb half a lap down and Eathorne stranded on the infield. Robb launched a determined chase through the field, spinning Winstanley and ending his title hopes. Local fans roared as Boon won the heat, but the overall honours went to 20-year-old Christchurch driver Tyler Houghton, racing the borrowed sister car to Robb. It was an impressive effort after his car briefly caught fire at the end of heat one due to a split power steering hose.
Former North Island Champion Rotorua driver Callum Flavell finished second, with Robb third. Rarity was the best placed local in seventh, followed by Boon in tenth and Gifford in sixteenth.
The club now looks ahead to a huge few years, with the New Zealand Super Stocks in 2028 and the New Zealand Stock Car Championship set for 2029, two of the biggest events in the sport.