Motorsport: Blenheim drivers win first teams' saloon title

Driver enjoyment registered high enough to warrant running the New Zealand super saloons teams' event as an annual calendar fixture, organiser Shane Maaka said.

The culmination of the two-day national battle - the individual title was decided on Friday night - saw eight regional teams compete in knock-out rounds at Island Park Speedway on Saturday night.

After the 20-lap final, Blenheim drivers Josh and Bruce Boulton, Brent Emerson and Paddy North claimed the inaugural trophy over Canterbury's Ritchie Taylor, Dennis Bolt, Neil Robinson and Trevor Elliot.

Maaka said it was a good bonding experience, which helped ease historic tensions that might have arisen when it was every driver racing for himself.

"The guys got to go away and race as a team, instead of as individuals."

In Friday's rain-soaked national super saloon grand prix 30-lap final, Napier's Steve Flynn spun early on, wiping out about five potential winners, including Timaru driver Richie Taylor and Nelson's Brent Emerson.

Nelson's Ian Burson, a front-runner from the start, held on for a win over fellow Chev Camaro driver Josh Boulton, of Christchurch.

Defending NZ GP champion Tauranga's Shane McIntyre had to settle for third.

Cromwell-contracted drivers Andy Erskine and Ray Stewart were seventh and ninth respectively.

Although the crowds were well down in numbers due to the cold, rainy weather, Island Park Speedway still broke even for the weekend, Maaka said.