Selwyn Times: November 01, 2016

16
Tuesday November 1 2016
Big season expected at
Ruapuna Speedway
THIS SUMMER promises to be
one of the very best for Ruapuna
Speedway competitors and
enthusiasts, club president Allan
Daly says.
The 56th summer of speedway
at Ruapuna gets underway on Saturday
with the King of the Clay.
The centrepiece event of the
season is likely to be the 47th New
Zealand Sprintcar Championship
in January.
“We anticipate close on 40 entries
for this event,” Mr Daly said.
“With the championship allocations
being what they are, we
may not see this championship
in Christchurch for another six
years.”
Although the crowd-pleasing
V8 sprintcars feature prominently
in the 13-meeting race calendar,
Mr Daly said there would be
something for everyone.
“We are wrapped to be hosting
this summer’s South Island
Sidecar Championship,” he said.
“We have the South Island
Midget Car Championship and
the New Zealand Midget Grand
Prix, while the TQs, modified
sprints and six shooters will
all have plenty to race for this
summer.”
Ruapuna will also host two
rounds of the Hydraulink Sprintcar
War of the Wings series, as
well as the annual Gold Cup and
Salute to Goodie events.
TEARING IT UP: Rolleston Speedway racer Glen Durie puts his
Stanton Mopar-engined car through its paces at a recent Ruapuna
Speedway practice.
PHOTO: TJ PALMER ​
“We are thrilled with the influx
of competitors in all classes, but
I think it’s fair to say that the
sprintcars really are thriving,” Mr
Daly said.
“We have had two top saloon
car drivers in Martin Harcourt
and Jackson Lovelady move
across into the sprintcars, as
has former national modified
champion Luke Keegan. Trevor
Wishart has shifted back across
from Australia and has looked
sharp in practices and, with
17 registered Christchurch
sprintcars, it’s a big increase.”
The midget car class has also
had a couple of high profile ‘arrivals’
with former TQ standouts
Scott Bailey and Jeremy Webb
moving up.
Once again, a strong contingent
of Selwyn drivers will be regular
competitors and Mr Daly said
that many of the front runners
came from the district.
“I’m picking that the likes of
midget car racers, Glenn Everett
(Lincoln), Dave Kerr (Leeston),
Tom Lumsden (Southbridge) and
Glen Durie (Rolleston) will be
among the front-runners. While
in the big V8 sprintcars, you have
Shaun Ashton (Leeston), Lindsay
Gilbert (Southbridge), Jackson
Lovelady (Darfield) and Jason
Smith from Rolleston, who are
all right at the pointy end of the
field.”
Mr Daly was also upbeat about
the club’s future, with a stadium
redevelopment programme in
place that will see improvements to
the track over the next five years.
ON TOP: Southbridge’s
Nathan McKenzie (far right),
won the boys’ 12 and under
class at the recent Ashburton
Trust Junior Open tennis
tournament. Nathan, who was
the second seed, beat third
seed Duncan McCall (right)
2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final.
Nathan’s Killinchy club
doubles partner, Ben Smith,
of Irwell, finished third. Ben,
the eighth seed, beat first
seed Liam Barrett 7-6, 6-4
in the quarter-final before
coming close to upsetting
Duncan in the semi-final,
losing 3-6, 6-1, 7-5.
ON THE DOMAIN
MARCH 4 2017 LINCOLN
LINCOLN’S FINEST SUBDIVISION
Live in Lincoln
nine bands. one day. www.selwynsounds.co.nz
SPORTS
SELWYN TIMES
TITLE: Lincoln golfers Mitch Holland (left), Robson Harker,
Taylor Holland, Cameron Harker, Tom Miller and Jack
Knewstubb won the Canterbury junior inter-club foursome
championship recently. The Lincoln team dominated the
competition, finishing on 319 points ahead of Kaiapoi on 300
and Russley on 299.
Monday 7th noveMber
The Laboratory are proud to present Woolston
Brass with their Music Director Tyme Marsters to
provide an entertaining evening of all things brass.
Bring your dancing shoes, children and grandads!
This is sure to be an enjoyable evening for all ages.
Woolston Brass have put together a foot-tapping
programme especially for Lincoln and are likely
to raise the roof with their awesome sound. The
night will feature the talented Woolston Brass
performing brass band pieces to jazzy and popular
charts, and everything in between. Soloists include
Anthony Smith (Principal Cornet) and Bryce
Fairweather (Principal Euphonium) and vocalists
Abbie Marsters and Caroline Blackmore.
Since its formation in 1891 as The Woolston Band,
this now iconic performing arts organisation has
maintained a playing strength of around thirty
musicians, with members drawn from all walks
of life and age groups being brought together by
a creative talent for making music. The band has
always remained true to the ideal expressed in its
Maori motto, Tohea kia kaha (Persevere, so there
is Strength) and now also hosts a learners group
and two training bands as part of The Woolston
Brass Academy. Woolston Brass’ 125 year history
records an abundance of championship success,
overseas expeditions and colourful characters,
many of whom have represented Woolston in
National and Youth Bands of New Zealand.
Woolston Brass is current Brass Band Champions
of Canterbury and the National Street March, and
gained second place this year at the National Brass
Band Championships held in Napier. Night Out
at The Laboratory will showcase Woolston Brass’
talent and versatility of all genres. One of New
Zealand’s premier brass bands and this event is
not to be missed!
The Laboratory is opening especially on a Monday
(when normally closed) so the whole venue will
be given over to the show. Doors open at 5.30pm
and the show starts at 7pm. The bar will be open
with a delicious menu available on the night but
seats are limited, so do book a table by calling
325 3006 if you have purchased a ticket and want
to ensure you get a great seat to dine while you
enjoy the show.
Tickets are $15 ($5 for under 18s) and available
over the bar or online from eventfinda.co.nz