Richard Gaskin in 3NZ carries the chequer flag to celebrate another victory. Photo credit www.fhoneman.co.nz
By Chrys Ayley
He describes it is a crazy sport but 2009 is shaping up to be a good season for Richard Gaskin. Gaskin has won the North Island Stockcar champs title for the second time in four seasons and is looking forward to competing in the New Zealand Stockcar Championship at the Upper Hutt Family Speedway on January 23/24. The North Island Stockcar championships at the Meeanee Speedway in Napier, the weekend before last, attracted 115 entrants which were whittled down to 26 for the second day?s racing for the main title. Gaskin beat Brett Lloyd by just one point to take away the title with a score of 71 but he takes this latest victory in his stride. Racing is a family affair and his brother Paul was also competing in the final and was placed 20th. Partner Kelly and their 8-month-old son travel with Gaskin to the competitions and it is the travel all over the country that he finds enjoyable. ?You get to different places every weekend.? ?New Zealand cars are unique and we crash quite heavily,? he says. Vehicle maintenance, he admits, is quite an involved job and he spends at least 10 hours a week on the job. ?It?s quite a crazy sport."
