Words & Images: Colin Smith
A battle of competing chassis builders, multi-time champions, multi-car teams, young talent – plus some inter-island rivalry for added flavour – is taking shape ahead of the Bin Hire Co. New Zealand Super Saloon Car title being raced this weekend at Napier’s Meeanee Speedway.
It’s the sixth occasion the Hawke’s Bay venue has hosted the New Zealand title and will see defending champion Mark Osborne (Christchurch) face a quality field of 39 challengers as he seeks to win an unprecedented fifth New Zealand Super Saloon Car title.
The Christchurch racer, who is also the builder of the Stealth Chassis line, clinched his fourth crown in a thrilling final at Baypark Speedway last season when he edged out 2023 and 2024 champion Chris Cowling (Tauranga).
Another success would propel Osborne past fellow four-time champions Tony Cardwell and Blondie Chamberlain as the most successful driver in the 56-year history of the speedway class, which has evolved from 1970s production sedans into US-influenced late-model style race cars of the current era.
The 2026 title is being raced over two nights with the now familar 15-heat qualifying format that promises close competition to decide starting positions in the 25-lap final.
Former champions in the 40-strong field include Tauranga brothers Chris and Steve Cowling – also leading the ranks of the CB2 chassis drivers – along with Baypark’s Brent Emerson, Blenheim’s Shane McIntyre and home track favourite Steve Flynn (Napier).
The Meeanee track has the strongest representation with 11 entries, the strength of its Super Saloon ranks being boosted over the past couple of seasons as top drivers Jason Long and Thomas Stanaway have switched from the Super Stock ranks.
Steve and Grant Flynn, Regan O’Brien, Kevin Martin, Kairyn O’Brien, Grahame Strong, Dan Montaperto are among the Hawke’s Bay challengers and Meeanee is also home track for two recent and talented graduates from the Youth Mini Stock ranks – George Crawford and Jeremy Browne.
There are eight South Island registered drivers entered with Osborne and his son Ashton providing a strong two-car challenge while Mark Sangster, Malcolm Ngatai, and Jakob Flynn also represent Canterbury’s Woodford Glen track.
Blenheim’s Eastern States Raceway has Hypermac chassis builder Shane McIntyre along with Sam Martin while Ricky Boulton is the sole Dunedin entry and Greig Johnston makes the trip from Cromwell’s Central Motor Speedway.
There are seven Baypark entries with the Cowling brothers and Emerson joined by Damian Orr, Trent Amrein, Karl Garnett and Steve Walling while the Auckland line-up comprises Craig Cardwell, Ben Harding, Bodie Abrahamson and Garry Edwards.
Stratford Speedway is well represented with a four-car challenge comprising Joe Ingram, Blake Hooper and Richard and Dan Dreaver.
Palmerston North chances are Brendan Sharland and Peter Bengston while Kikikihi Speedway has Shaun Wade and Craig Partington carrying its hopes.
The most recent form guide to the title is offered by the North Island Championship raced at Wellington’s Te Marua Speedway earlier this month where Chris Cowling won the title for the fifth time and the podium finishers were Wellington’s Matt Eckersley and Hawke’s Bay racer Thomas Stanaway.
The 2026 South Island title had been scheduled for Cromwell in late-January but was postponed due to bad weather. That leaves Auckland racer Craig Cardwell as the reigning South Island Champ.