Nelson Tigers set to roar back to life

Six years after fading away, the Nelson Tigers are being relaunched with an injection of youth.

In fact, at 19, you could probably get away with calling the Superstocks team captain Blake Hearne a motorsport cub.

But it is that young enthusiasm which has former Tigers star Shane Harwood right behind reviving his old team.

“These young guys are interested in representing the Nelson province.  It is a pride thing for them, so we, three or four of us, are just in the background doing what we can to help them out,” says Shane, taking a break from getting his own Superstock ready to race.

Whether it is with admin, advice or just rounding up the five of them in the pits for an interview.

“Shane is definitely a guy you look up to.  He’s a GOAT (Greatest of All Time)  in local speedway circles,” declares Blake.

Not just Nelson actually, as Shane was part of the Nelson Tigers when they won the 2010 Superstocks Team Championships in Palmerston North.

If you haven’t seen the victory celebration scenes, check them out on the internet.
The Tigers also triumphed in Auckland in 2014.

It is a tough act to follow for Blake, Callum Russ, Matt Inwood, Ben Taylor and Alex Hill. Blake has been around speedway since he was five years old and remembers all the hype the Tigers generated.  What the Trinder Engineering apprentice forgot to mention, is that he is following in his father Justin’s path.  Dad was also a team captain, leading the Tasman Thunder.

“He gave up racing so me and my brother could come through the ranks, starting with mini stocks,” says the Richmond driver who has kept his father’s No. 83 on his car. While competing in Palmerston North is still seen as the ultimate test, Blake acknowledges the rookies aren’t ready for that brutal level of crash and bash yet.

Their immediate mission is hosting a Christchurch development team on 16 November.

“They probably expect to come up here and knock us over but we will give it our best shot to try to beat them,” warns the team captain, who can’t wait to get their racing stripes on the Superstocks.

Having former individual national champion Shane Harwood in their corner will certainly help the cause.

“The Nelson Tigers Team was really good and will be again.  It just takes time,” insists Shane.