23/05/2026
What a season it has been with Huntly and Meremere Speedway.
The season started with the car heading to the James family, who did some amazing work on the ministock — a new gearbox, new graphics, and plenty of other new features added to the car. A huge thank you as well to the awesome sponsors who came on board this season: Darren Bird, who owns the ministock, Sheetmetal Fabrication Services – Mat Patmore, Mag & Turbo, and our anonymous sponsor. We honestly couldn’t have done it without you guys.
Starting at Huntly, it’s definitely been a season and a half with plenty of ups and downs — probably more downs than ups with the amount of damage we had throughout the season and even before it started. Practice ended with a broken diff and more damage, and at one point we thought the season was over before it even began. Huge thanks to Gary Lowndes for finding us another diff and keeping us going.
Massive credit also goes to Marcus Tidd, who spent countless Mondays fixing the car for at least six weeks straight. Between replacing 8 shock inserts, 4 new rims, bent arm rods and plenty more, the car definitely kept us busy. The positive out of it all was that I still got to race every meeting, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
It’s been a rough season not only at the track but also in my personal life, and racing became my lifeline on many occasions. A huge thank you to Red and Helen for always having my back through both the good and rough times. Not once did they put me down — they always encouraged me to do better and reminded me why I race. Thank you both, and I’m looking forward to next season with you guys behind me again.
A special thank you as well to Gary Lowndes for all the drone footage you captured throughout the season. You definitely caught some interesting moments on camera, and it’s always awesome being able to sit back and watch it all afterwards. Thank you also for supporting me in all areas of my life — it means more than you know.
Another massive thank you to Darren. You’ve always pushed me to do better and keep the right attitude even when I wanted to give up. Darren, you’re not only my mate and my friend, but also the dad I never had. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I’m beyond grateful for everything you’ve done for me.
Now onto Meremere…
What can I say about this place? Nothing but good vibes and amazing people who have become family. Jason, Darryl, Mr Fahey, my brother from another mother Brody, and my speedway mum Paula — thank you all for helping me throughout my racing journey at Meremere.
Brody, thank you for always standing up for me. Paula, thank you for cheering me on every week, checking I was okay, and always having my back. I honestly couldn’t ask for a better speedway family.
This season I managed to pick up a few wins in the ministocks and even got the chance to drive another car in the juniors, coming away with a trophy there too. Can’t complain about that! The two-day nationals were a blast, and getting another trophy in the ministocks topped it off.
Overall, this season has been one hell of a ride, but none of it would have happened without the most important person always standing beside me — Mum.
Thank you Mum for the early mornings, late nights, missing your darts events, and always getting me to the track no matter what. I love you and appreciate everything you do for me. I’ll cook dinner most nights to pay you back 👍
Lastly, thank you to all my friends, family, supporters, and everyone who came out to watch and support me throughout the season. I truly wouldn’t be here without you all.
Here’s to next season 🏁
