Images: Vanessa Adcock Photography
Few prizes in South Island Six Shooter racing carry the weight or prestige of the Scott Gordon Memorial at Aotea Electric Riverside Speedway. More than just a trophy, it stands as a tribute to a man whose passion and persistence were instrumental in establishing the Six Shooter grade in the deep south, a legacy that continues to shape the class today.
Last season’s running of the Scott Gordon Memorial never got the chance to take centre stage, with repeated rainouts eventually forcing the meeting onto the shelf. This year, however, the calendar turns with unfinished business still lingering in the pits.
This year’s event made for a blockbuster meet at the Southern venue, with the South Island Saloon Championship also featuring.
The meeting usually caps off at 21 entrants and features a 21-lap final to honour the number Scott ran on his Sprintcar, but the cost of travel and some drivers having other events meant a field of thirteen cars would line up for the evening.
The format was three 10-lap heats and a 21-lap winner takes all final.
Heat 1 belonged to rookie Kadin Cracknell of Riverside, who delivered a brilliant drive to take the lead from Central Motor Speedway’s Ben Smart on Lap 3 and never looked back.
Cracknell pulled away to win by over three seconds, with Smart second and Riverside’s Daniel McIntosh third.
Christchurch’s Kirk Hawkins hit the wall in Turn 3 on the first lap of Heat 2. He managed to continue, surprisingly, after what looked to be a fairly solid impact.
Christchurch’s Steve Duff Jnr started from the front of the pack and remained there for the entire 10 laps to bank a heat win. Riverside’s Jason Jenner finally banked a solid result in second after being hampered by mechanical dramas all season, while Harrison Brown of Riverside claimed third.
The final heat got off to a frightening start for Central Motor Speedway’s Blair Smith, who attacked Turn 1 at speed on Lap 1 before the greasy surface bit back, launching him into the wall.
Although the car carried significant rear damage, it proved mostly cosmetic, allowing Smith to re-grid for a full restart. Ben Smart would also be caught out in the same corner but carried on.
Cromwell’s George Hedley had been consistent all day and snuck into the race lead just as Smart’s car would stop on track on Lap 5.
As the race went green, Hedley again got down to business and drove off to a commanding win over Smith, with McIntosh banking another good result in third.
With the heats done, Hedley and Duff were together on the front row, with McIntosh and Cracknell on Row 2.
Duff bolted as the green flag dropped for the feature, but the battles behind him were intense right throughout the pack.
Lap upon lap, Duff edged further away from his nearest threat, which had emerged as Hedley.
The battle between Cracknell and McIntosh was intense.
McIntosh defended well, holding his rival off for as long as he could; however, on Lap 18, Cracknell backed himself and took a dive, firing his way onto the podium.
Duff was simply too good, enjoying a Saturday-night cruise in the sunshine to claim the Scott Gordon Memorial by more than five seconds. Cracknell closed the gap to Hedley late in the race but not enough to deny him second place, with rookie Cracknell finishing a strong third.
The second running of the Stacey Perreau Production Memorial got underway with Steven ‘Socks’ Nicholas stamping his authority on Heat 1, cruising to a straight-length victory over clubmate Gavin Hurring, with Riverside’s Blake Hamilton third.
Hamilton turned the tables in heat two, winning a race dominated by Honda Preludes. All five Preludes filled the top five positions, finishing either side-by-side or line astern in a brilliant contest.
Hamilton won the heat with Cromwell’s Aven Erskine second and Hurring third.
A 12-lap feature decided the Memorial and again it was another good, clean and fast race with no cautions.
Hamilton was forced to fight hard at the front with Gavin Hurring, who had shown strong speed throughout the day. Hurring chased him all the way to the flag but couldn’t deny Hamilton the win, with Steven Nicholas finishing third.
Stockcars also contested the Best Pairs Championship, which was claimed by Adam Naber and Jesse Hamilton.
The Youth Saloons delivered a surprise of their own, with Lachie Robertson crowned Southland Youth Saloon Champion, a title none of the drivers even knew they were competing for, revealed only at prize giving. Hunter Kergozou finished second, while third equal went to Dylan Rawcliffe and Holly Murdoch.
Credit must also go to Dillon Hamilton, who claimed his first-ever podium finish in a heat race by securing second place in the final Youth Saloon race. A brilliant result in his first season of racing.
