The mysterious story of Stinga

Sellars and Stinga have been left battered but not bruised.

Kathy Sellars didn't win the SunLive Baypark Demolition Derby, but would do it again – and Stinga puttered out on the track, but is in 'perfect condition” today.

The SunMedia staff member says she had an 'epic night” as SunMedia's demolition driver at Baypark Family Speedway on January 6. 'Without a doubt, as I'd like to be one of the first cars next time!”

Kathy's 2001 Suzuki Aerio dubbed ‘Stinga' stopped and started before eventually puttering out after claiming the battery died early on in the derby.

'I was still trying to get the car going – it kept dying with seconds of starting. Honestly, I would finally get it started and get a few seconds of moving and it died again…and that was all I did.”

Why? It's an unsolved mystery because Baypark Family Speedway promoter Bernie Gillon says the car is perfectly fine now.

'I was driving it around before the race and Kathy drove it on to the track. It's still running and perfectly good for the next derby.”

Bernie says 21 drivers entered the demolition derby on Saturday night, all vying for the $2000 prize for the last man standing or wrecking the most havoc for $1000.

This year Bernie called it a draw between Mike Lowe and Craig McPherson, following an entertaining end to the derby between three cars.

'Last year we boxed the last two drivers in on one lane,” says Bernie. 'This year, when we got down to three cars we let them use the whole track and let the stock cars chase them for about five minutes. It was hilarious, the crowd loved it.

'In the end there was two left, so we declared a draw and gave them $1500 each.”

Bernie says a crowd of more than 4000 people enjoyed what he called 'a great night of racing all round”.

The only disappointment was the strong winds, which interfered with the freestyle motocross riders.

'The strong winds stopped the freestyle motocross guys from performing some of their tricks, but they did do some big flips which entertained the crowds.”

The top 10 shootout between the saloon and sprint cars was also 'very well received”.

Bernie encourages those who dare to sign up for the next demolition derby on April 15.

For more information, email: bernie@flamecrusher.co.nz Or visit: www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz

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