Header Image: BM Photography
The dust has settled following a chaotic New Zealand Streetstock Championship at Nelson’s Top of the South Speedway, and the field is rearing to go again this weekend for the New Zealand Streetstock Grand Prix at Blenheim’s Eastern States Speedway.
Weather conditions in the region have, however, made for a change, with Friday’s activities cancelled, meaning the entire Grand Prix will run on Saturday.
The massive day of 36 races also comes with a new start time of 4.00 pm, two hours earlier than originally scheduled.
An impressive 43 cars have entered the event, the majority having survived the carnage in Nelson, with the newly crowned 1NZ, 2NZ, and 3NZ all included in the lineup.
Entries are split across three groups for the Grand Prix, appropriately named after the world-famous wine region in which the event is held.
Notably, all three podium finishers from the 2024/25 Grand Prix at Meeanee will be absent this weekend.
Freshly crowned 1NZ Paul Leslie (Christchurch), who last weekend became just the fifth driver to claim a second national title in the grade, headlines the Pinot Noir Group. Leslie will face stiff opposition from the likes of 2022/23 2NZ Mike Jones and 2023/24 1NZ Allan Finch.
Adding a local flavour to the group are Blenheim drivers Daemyn Ireland, Badges Clark, and Justin Howard-Hodson, all determined to see one of their own rise to the top.
Leslie is backed by three Christchurch clubmates, Corey Schumacher, Jones, and Daniel Baldwin, while Nelson is also strongly represented through Jesse Rule, Perry Soper, and Matt Watson.
The group is rounded out by Finch (Dunedin), Stuart Reid (Invercargill), and North Island competitors Jared Ingoe (Gisborne) and Blair Ladd (Whanganui).
Two-time 2NZ Matt Petersen will look to go one better than his runner-up finish in the 2019/20 Grand Prix at Wellington as he headlines the Merlot Group.
Petersen leads a 13-strong group that includes New Zealand Championship finalists Buddy and Cody Finch (both Dunedin), along with 9N Ryan Musgrove, who was fortunate to escape a massive hit from Scott Palmer in Nelson, which saw Palmer’s car come to rest on the catch fencing.
Petersen is part of a five-strong Christchurch contingent, joined by Gary Watson, Daniel McNally, Norton Gowans, and Mason Bland.
Local representation comes from Daniel Honey, Jason Fox, and Anthony Gane, while Nelson drivers Richard Bateman, Dwayne Kennett, and Musgrove also feature. Tyson Thomas and Ethan Kergozou (both Invercargill) complete the group.
Jono Garthley leads the Sauvignon Group, joined by 2024/25 2NZ Benji Smaill, who returns to his familiar 59D after an early exit from the New Zealand Championship.
Former 2NZ Cody McCarrison is also included, alongside 2009/10 South Island Champion Shane Chapman and Streetstock icon Simon Bland – a former 1NZ (2008/09), 2NZ (2005/06), South Island Champion (2010/11), and three-time Grand Prix winner (2007/08, 2009/10, and 2022/23).
The group features three Blenheim drivers (Anthony Clark, Jared Blanchet, and Lyndon Smith), four from Christchurch (Petersen, Cody Pedley, Jorden O’Connell-Inns, and Ben Turner), and four from Nelson (McCarrison, Malita Evans, Taylor Lynch, and Chapman).
Completing the 14-car group are Smaill (Dunedin) and North Island competitors Simon Bland (Whanganui) and Duncan Pierce (Gisborne).
Smaill, Leslie, and Bland are the only previous New Zealand Grand Prix winners entered in this year’s field.
Supporting classes across the two nights include the Production 2K Cup, Youth Ministocks, Stockcars, and Historic Stockcars.
Gates open at 4.00pm on both days, with racing getting underway at 6.00pm.
Tickets are available at the gate, with no live stream available for the event.