Star line-up for Queen of the Clay

Aotearoa Ladies Champion Brittany Carpenter heads a star line-up for the DH Builders Queen of the Clay Stock Car meeting on Saturday.

Having grown up in Nelson, Brittany now resides in Palmerston North with her partner, current North Island Super Stock champion, Ethan Rees.

Her return to racing this season, with her two young boys in tow and a new race car in the shed, has produced plenty of podium results, including winning the Aotearoa Ladies championship in Rotorua in January, and 2nd place in the King of the Mountain meeting in Stratford.

The Cowgirls Stock Car team member will make a return to teams racing later in the season, but Brittany will be a top favourite to win the inaugural Queen of the Clay title.

Shinnae McNally is another driver to watch closely, claiming 3rd place at the Aotearoa ladies title. She has a very quick car and has plenty of support from partner Dylan Robb who runs Robb Racecars and Repairs. Shinnae has grown up around speedway, a podium place firmly in her sights.

A couple of No. 58’s feature: Elsie Vlaanderen 58c has moved up from Youth Ministocks and is footing it in huge fields at Woodford Glen. 58b Loren Gallop just completed the Rees South Island Tour, and the Napier driver will be better for the experience. Another Napier driver is Lauren Swift, a regular traveller down south.

She is a seasoned driver these days, with a top 10 finish at Aotearoa under her belt.

One of the most experienced drivers entered would be Melissa Gifford. Based in Blenheim but contracted to Christchurch, she races anywhere and everywhere most weekends with their ‘Monster’ bus. Her partner Gavin Marshall recently returned to racing as well, the 964c machine knows the track well.

The local drivers will not be outdone. Zoe Hughes will lead the charge with regular driver Morgan Robinson, and Kylie Hall will make the step up from Street Stocks in her brother’s car, while Tylar Pickering will jump into the Kerry Walker car.

Kelly Hewitt will also be one to watch in the very quick 16n car recently run at the Stampede by Ben Taylor.

There will be a few dark horses with Napier’s Courtney Hatton, Palmerston North’s Riki-Lee Kauri, Christchurch’s Laura Weir and Brook Mcpherson all having top level experience at major meetings. You can’t underestimate any of the drivers entered, especially if bumpers start to be used.

The meeting also features the last round of the club T.Q. title, Sam Satherley Side-Car Memorial and a Boys v Girls Youth Ministock race. The meeting starts at the earlier time of 5pm, with pre-sales online here or at the kiosk at Richmond Mall.