Doing it in the Dirt

Chris and Troy dive into another action‑packed Speedway session, covering a busy weekend of racing across the country. They open with talk of rain interruptions, umbrellas from Speedway Garage, and how Wellington and Wanganui managed to push through their meetings despite rough weather. The growing strength of the Historic Stockcar class gets a nod too—with names like Charlie Harper, Elvis Rawlins, and the legendary Dave Evans helping surge its popularity.

They catch up with Dion Mooney, who talks through his off‑season project—a brand‑new Linton chassis, the fourth he’s built with Rob Linton. Dion reflects on transferring gear across, refining the new build, and putting the car to the test straight away with an ambitious three‑meetings‑in‑three‑days plan. He reviews an impressive opening run at Meeanee, including two race wins and praise for the track surface, before discussing the following night at Palmerston North where he again showed strong pace. Dion also touches on switching to a Hartley‑Nissan engine package, plans leading into major championships, and stepping back from teams racing as younger Wellington drivers come through.

Later, Bruce joins the hosts to recap Palmerston North’s Dash for Cash night, including Asher Rees’ early dominance and the perfectly timed last‑corner move from Daniel Burmester that claimed the money. Bruce also highlights the debut speed of Asher’s brand‑new car, previews the Show Night Cup and fireworks programme, and talks through class line-ups including Super Saloons, Sidecars, and Midgets. He shares club history, classic prize money stories, and updates on facility improvements at Waikaraka Park—from pit relocations to refurbished amenities.

The show finishes with a chat to Sam Hughes, who previews Awapuni Speedway’s season opener. Sam discusses track prep, expected crowd numbers, running orders, new lighting plans, memorial tributes, increased youth competitors, and how the club continues to balance community accessibility with rising costs. He also confirms gold‑card pricing remains in place and outlines long‑term planning for hosting major New Zealand titles.

This program was produced at Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

Chris and Troy bring another vibrant Speedway session as the new season kicks into gear. They recap opening nights around the country, chat weather challenges, and highlight the growing buzz in the historic stockcar scene — including strong support from names like Charlie Harper, Elvis Rawlins, and the legendary Dave Evans, who’s back behind the wheel and proving he can still pedal with the best of them.

They catch up with Bruce, who reflects on opening night at Meeanee, the strong crowd turnout despite cold weather, and standout performances in the Superstocks — including a brand‑new machine for Pete Rees. Bruce also talks about plans for the upcoming Eliminator race, comparisons to American sprint car formats, and ongoing improvements to facilities such as toilets, pits, and structural upgrades at Waikaraka Park.

Later, Sam Hughes from Awapuni Speedway joins the show to preview their season opener. He discusses working closely with neighbouring tracks, preparing for big events, managing weather impacts, and updating fans on club operations and track conditions. With Awapuni’s opening night pushed back a week, Sam outlines what spectators can expect, how the team is refining operations, and the continued growth of the venue as a community hub.

The episode finishes with a look toward the second round of the Lucas Oil Superstock Series at Stratford — a must‑see weekend for fans heading to Taranaki.

This program was produced at Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

Chris and Troy catch up with newly returned UK competitors, including reigning New Zealand Superstock Champion Todd Hemingway, for a full breakdown of their overseas campaigns as the local season edges closer. Todd chats about the long-haul flights, early car issues, practice setbacks, engine swaps, and the chaos of UK open‑wheel racing on tight shale tracks smaller than Rotorua. He reflects on mechanical failures, surviving the first‑lap carnage, the intensity of the World Final, and what it meant to represent 1NZ on the other side of the world.

Todd also speaks candidly about the cost of the trip, the massive variation in car quality overseas, and the likelihood of returning again—plus how much fun it was to see Flynn and Amelia turning laps in borrowed machinery. He shares how he and Kendall capped the journey with a Mediterranean cruise before diving straight back into the workshop to finish his new car for the coming season.

Later, the hosts talk with Darren about preparations for his club’s opening night, including memorial tributes to two much‑loved members, track wall upgrades, new lighting plans, gate processes, and the growing number of youth and returning drivers. They also discuss future hosting of major championships, pit space challenges, event pricing, increased gold‑card attendance, and plans for a special tribute meeting.

This program was produced at Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

Chris and Troy sit down for another lively Speedway session as the new season draws near. They open with talk of October weather chaos, illness interruptions, and excitement building despite the rain. The conversation quickly shifts to the UK tour, where they catch up on how New Zealand drivers fared overseas.

Their guest, Scott, joins them to give a detailed and honest account of his entire UK campaign—from the gruelling long‑haul flights, to early car prep with the Harrisons, to battling technical gremlins across multiple meetings. He describes adapting to F1 stockcars’ lighter but more fragile construction, the unique clay and shale surfaces, and the completely different driving lines required. Scott shares insights from Bradford, Kings Lynn, and World Final qualifying, including his heat results, rim damage, brake failures, restarts, and learning how UK drivers use aggression to gain position.

He also speaks about the intensity of parc fermé rules, how restrictions affected car setup before the World Final, and the disappointment of suffering a diff failure only half a lap into the big race. Scott reflects on the controversial rulings that saw fellow Kiwi Josh penalised, praises Todd for securing a finish, and outlines what it was like helping crew for Ryan Harrison afterwards. He also talks through the decision to sit out the final mud‑soaked meeting at Bradford due to safety and logistics, and discusses his goal to return to England for another shot—feeling he has unfinished business.

Scott closes with thanks to everyone who supported his trip, shares thoughts on the upcoming NZ season, and hints at future plans to give fans more racing—and perhaps encourage UK drivers to head to Aotearoa.

This program was produced at Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

Chris and Troy kick off the show with updates on shifting spring weather, illness delays, and the latest results from Kiwi drivers racing in the UK—highlighting Jack’s recent win and the challenges New Zealand drivers face learning open‑wheel European machinery.

They speak with Sonia Hickey from Rotorua’s Paradise Valley Speedway, who details major pre‑season work including reshaping the Turn 2 wall, addressing safety concerns for ministocks, managing weather disruptions, and navigating the crowded Easter racing calendar. Sonia also outlines upcoming events such as the TQs, club nights, the Stockcar Teams Stampede, raffles, memorial nights, and changes to how the club handles promotional activities and fan engagement.

Later, Lewis joins the hosts to recount his UK racing trip—rushing to Bradford, adjusting to a tarmac‑converted shale car, heat results, qualifying, long‑distance finals, yellow‑flag restarts, and the physical challenge of 20–25 lap races. He describes the contrasting track conditions, aggressive Dutch competitors, technical rules around scrutineering and parc fermé, and the sheer pace of top UK drivers like Tom Harris. Lewis also reflects on the World Final weekend, the Masters meeting, racing in heavy rain, and future opportunities to try tarmac racing in Europe.

This program was produced at Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

Chris and Troy return with another lively Speedway conversation, covering everything from New Zealand’s unpredictable spring weather to updates on Kiwi drivers competing in the UK. They discuss recent race results, including strong performances from overseas competitors, and share insights into how teams are preparing for the upcoming season amid frequent rain disruptions.

The episode features a long-form chat with veteran driver Peter, who reflects on decades in Speedway—from his early days in consuls and flat‑chassis machines to building and racing his own tank. He talks about memorable rivalries, repairs on the road, team racing highlights, and how the sport has changed over the years. Peter also shares candid thoughts about travel costs, sponsorship challenges, future racing plans, and his admiration for long‑serving drivers.

Later, the hosts speak with Stree from Eastern States Speedway, who provides updates on their upcoming season, including practice schedules, the growth of the historic classes, high‑profile championship events, collaborations with neighbouring tracks, and expectations for major meetings such as the Streetstock GP. He also reflects on the club’s long history, volunteer commitment, and the importance of community support for keeping regional Speedway strong.

This program was produced at Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

Chris and Troy deliver an action‑packed Speedway conversation featuring UK race updates, home‑track news, and interviews with drivers and promoters across Aotearoa. They start with the latest results from Kiwi competitors racing overseas—including heat wins, DNFs, and the challenges of adapting to open‑wheel cars on UK shale. With discussion on tyre failures, rolling starts, and the intensity of the European grids, listeners get a clear picture of how well New Zealand drivers are settling in ahead of the upcoming world events.

The hosts also speak with Kim from Stratford, who shares important updates about venue planning, weather‑affected seasons, calendar coordination with neighbouring tracks, and major meetings coming up—including national titles, women’s events, derby innovations, and multi‑class specialty nights. Her insight highlights the huge volunteer effort and community support needed to keep regional speedway thriving.

Later, Michael Patey joins the conversation, offering a compelling account of his journey from junior solo bikes to stockcars and superstocks. He talks honestly about hard-earned achievements, funding challenges, the theft of his racing gear, rebuilding from scratch, and his deep connection to the sport through family and mentors.

This program was produced at and first aired on MPR, Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

Chris and Troy dive into a packed hour of stockcar and superstock talk, catching up on the latest Kiwi action in the UK and checking in with drivers and promoters back home. They review recent performances abroad, including Scott Tennant, Jack, Josh, and other New Zealand competitors preparing for the BriSCA F1 World Final. With candid updates on flat tyres, grid positions, car setups, overseas race formats, and the harsh learning curve of UK shale racing, listeners get an insider’s view of the excitement and the challenges ahead.

The hosts also chat with Wayne Russ, President of Nelson Speedway, about upcoming meetings, the Queen of the Clay event, Streetstock series, derby innovations, and how the club collaborates with neighbouring tracks to grow the sport. Alongside tributes, laughs, technical insights, and plenty of Kiwi banter, this episode celebrates the community spirit and passion that drive Speedway in Aotearoa.

This program was produced at Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

Chris and Troy catch up with Kiwi superstock standouts Todd and Jack ahead of their trip to the UK BriSCA F1 World Final. They talk fundraising wins, travel logistics, and the cars they’ll race (seat fits, spares, and getting a “once‑over” at Frankie Wainman’s). The kōrero dives into the on‑track learning curve—rolling starts, protecting rear tyres without wheelgates, staying clear of wire ropes and infield tyres, and adapting to shale ovals at King’s Lynn, Mildenhall (World Masters), and Bradford. The lads share goals (from soaking up the experience to chasing a result), crew line‑ups, family support, and shout‑outs to sponsors and auction backers that helped make the trip possible.

This program was produced at Manawatū People’s Radio, with support from New Zealand On Air.

An hour of award-winning speedway news and views with Chris and Troy, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.