Battle of the Stocks -Woodford Glen, Christchurch

The team travelled down to Christchurch with high hopes of bringing home a heap of silverware, unfortunately things didn't quite go to plan. Scott was paired with 114n Daryl Peterson while Simon was with 14c Aaron Rowlands. The 52p Hotter Engineering Superstock suffered flat RF tyres in heats 1 and 2, before pulling off in heat 3 with an overheating engine. Simon in the 72p Fletcher Easysteel car was a little bit better off, ending night one with three consistant finishes to be sitting 3rd on both the best pairs and individual standings.

Night two was a lot better for both Joblin Motorsport drivers. Simon started the night in the best possible fashion by winning the Top 10 Shootout, while Scott came through from the rear to win the opening heat. The 52p car however suffered yet another flat RF in heat 2 while 72p scraped through for a top 5 finish. Heading into the final heat, Simon was sitting 3rd in the best pairs and narrowly leading the individual standings from 14n Dale Ewers. It wasn't to be Simon's night, as the 72p car suffered from an ignition issue and ran the first half of the race with no power. Scott didn't fear any better after he took a big hit to the rear of the car, eventually retiring to the infield. Although it wasn't quite the result the team were looking for, Simon did manage to sneak home 3rd in the Best Pairs with the help of his partner 14c Aaron Rowlands.


Placemakers Series - Round 2, Stratford

Both drivers where looking to avenge the run of disappointing results when they travelled just up the road to Stratford International Speedway for Round 2 of the Placemakers Series. The people running the show at Stratford had an absolute brain-explosion when the decided to put the feature class of the night out in the first race. As you can imagine, the track was extremely wet and at times dangerous. Both Joblin Motorsport cars started heat 1 near the rear of the field. After struggling away off the start, the 52p car completed 1 lap before sliding into the turn 1 wall. Instead of bouncing off, the front bumper dug into what looked to be a massive hole in the wall. The car stopped dead before being collected by the following racers. The shear force of the impact snapped all four shocks, split the fuel tank, and left the front of the chassis in an extremely sorry state, ending Scott's night after just 1 lap.

Simon managed to keep it clean for the remainder of the night, and ended up being tied for 1st place with local 82s Paul Johnson. The run-off was over after the 1st corner. The 72p car started from the outside, and after a bit of cat and mouse off the start line, pushed 82s Johnson the the infield, before clearing out to take the Round win.


Easter Extravaganza - Paradise Valley, Rotorua

It was decided early in the week that Scott and the 52p car would take a week off racing, as there was substantial damage done to the car at Stratford. However there would still be two cars travelling to Rotorua. 32p Graeme Barr unfortunately injured his hip, and offered the youngest of the Joblin boys, Adam, the opportunity to race the car at the Easter Extravaganza. After a few anxious moments early on in the night, Adam somehow managed to keep his nose clean and finish his first three races in a Superstock. Simon had an up and down night, suffering a flat RF in heat 1, before grabbing a couple of top 10 finishes.

Adam continued to come to grips with the unforgiving nature of Superstock racing on night 2, again keeping out of trouble and finishing all three heats. With the help of his partner 58p Peter Bengston, the duo came home 3rd in the best pairs competition. Simon had issues all night with deflating rear tyres, which in turn ruined any chance of him grabbing a podium spot in the individual standings. As always, Rotorua Speedway put on a great weekend of racing. It was a fitting way to send off local Superstock hero 515r Stan Hickey.



Placemakers Series - Round 3, Wellington

The Joblin Motorsport team welcomed the return of 52p Scott Joblin after a busy week in the workshop fixing the damage sustained at Stratford. Adam was again campaigning the 32p Superstock of Graeme Barr. Scott started the 1st heat well and looked to be in good shape for a top finish. His run was to be short lived however when he pulled to the infield in a cloud of smoke and fire. The big Ford V8 powerplant, which had been so reliable during the 2nd half of the season, let go in a big way, ending Scotts season right there and then. Both Simon and Adam had strong finishes in heats one and two. Heading into the final heat, Simon was tied for 1st with 58p Peter Bengston, while Adam sat in 5th. Adam's chances of a top 5 finish were dashed on the first lap after he was spun in turn 3, suffering a flat LR tyre. Simon was also in the thick of things, being spun early on by 3nz Murray Long. Both cars finished the race, with the 72p Superstock rounding out the podium in 3rd place. Adam finished the night in 7th place in the 32p car.


Placemakers Series - Round 4, Napier

Both the 32p and 72p Superstocks travelled across the North Island to compete in Round 4 of the Placemakers Series at Meeanee Speedway in Napier. It wasn't a great start to the night for both cars. Simon was again suffering from ignition issues and lacked power in the first half of the race, while Adam was struggling with the wet conditions. The 72p Fletcher Easysteel car finished in 12th while the 32p GT Engineering Superstock slipped back to 15th from grid 7. Heat 2 was a lot better for both cars, with Simon coming home 5th, and Adam moving up the field from grid 18 to finish 9th. The track started to rut up during the final heat, which caused havoc for some drivers and their RR tyres. The 32p car got stuck behind 96p Chad Ace, who spun on the opening corner, loosing half a lap to the field. Adam was able to put in some good lap times, clawing his way back up to 11th from the back. Simon however had a great battle with fellow Palmerston North car 57p Dave Tarrant, before narrowly finishing 4th behind 58p Peter Bengston.