Daredevil duos and the future of speedway will hit the dirt on Saturday 8th March at the Robertson Prestige International Speedway, when the AFC Motorcycles New Zealand Sidecar Grand Prix and Manawatu Youth Ministock Championship is decided.
There is nothing quite like exhilarating side-by-side Sidecar racing action, with 25 Sidecar pairings currently registered from around New Zealand making the trek to the Robertson Prestige International Speedway for the AFC Motorcycles New Zealand Sidecar Grand Prix. All the heats and finals are four-lap races, so a good start is essential then the combination between rider and swinger becomes vital. With no brakes, control of the bike is a mixture of throttle control and the body position of the swinger, which changes during each lap to keep the bike balanced and stable.
With a lineup which includes newly crowned 1nza Dylan Moohan & Sean Mason and 2nzp Jamie Moohan & Patrick Larsen, add in local favourites 5p Wingnut & Sam McNaught, 7p Matt Stewart & Nick Dunne, 8p Rob Miller & Jaxon Hannon, 17p Tony Hislop & Aidan Foothead and 89p Wayne & Max Lett all in with the likelihood chance of taking the title honours. Two South Island bikes, 23c Ben Morris & Graham Partridge and 47n Kieran Satherley & Jono Kilburn, also are making the trip north for the title. This night of Sidecar racing is expected to be exhilarating with these crazy riders and swingers all keen to take home the trophy.
The future of speedway, the Youth Ministock class, will also be competing for their Manawatu Championship. Youth Ministocks have fostered many speedway competitors into other classes, and the skill of these young drivers is something to admire. Many New Zealand Champions started their speedway racing career driving in the Ministock class.
Local hard-charging drivers including defending champion 41p Harrison Cheetham, who recently placed on the podium at the Ministocks in Paradise event, will be in with a real chance to complete back-to-back Manawatu Youth Ministock championship wins. But there is some tough competition within the class, with drivers including 14p Jayden Clark who was on the podium at last year's event, 52p Boston Joblin, 294p Charlie Newman, 24p Ashton Dorn, 18p Aiden Waihi and 17p Ella Hislop are all in with a chance of taking home the silverware. Local cars will be given preference to make the 60-car field. Please register your intention to compete, and any available positions for out-of-town cars will be filled by ballot from online registrations. The final field will be posted next week.
Complementing the Saturday night programme will be the metal crunching Stockcars who haven’t been afraid to liven up the action on Saturday nights!
Competitors who wish to compete at the Robertson Prestige International Speedway, Saturday 8th March 2025, New Zealand Sidecar Grand Prix and Manawatu Youth Ministock Champs please register if you are intending to race - www.pnspeedway.co.nz/forms/08-03-2025.
Please note: Out of town contracted cars, before your name will appear on any confirmed drivers lists a clearance from your home track is required if your track is running the class. This is a Speedway New Zealand rule.
Tickets are available to pre-purchase online from www.ticketek.co.nz, (tickets purchased incur an additional service fee) or on race day from Gate 1 (Waldegrave Street), Gate 2 (Cuba Street - Bridge) and Gate 3 (Cook Street) from 4pm.
Admission prices are $30 for an Adult (16 years and over), $10 for Children aged 8-15, and $70 for a Family pass of 2 adults and up to four children. Kids aged 7 and under are FREE.
Click here to view a full list of the terms and conditions of entry (130KB pdf).
