Local speedway teen George Crawford powers into premier super saloon class

Paengaroa's George Crawford has made a significant step up in his speedway racing career, moving from the youth ministock class into the super saloon class, one of New Zealand's premier dirt track racing divisions. The 17-year-old, who has been competing on dirt track ovals since age 10, recently aged out of the 12-16 year olds' youth ministock class and has transitioned to the high-powered super saloon category.

Crawford's decision to step up came after being inspired during a trip to Perth Motorplex in Australia earlier this year, where he was part of a team of young Kiwi drivers competing against Australian counterparts. Watching Australian Late Model Championship driver Kye Blight impressed him, prompting the career change.

During winter, Crawford's family purchased a CB2 super saloon car previously raced by former New Zealand champion Steve Cowling. In his debut season, Crawford has shown promise, finishing fifth in his first-ever super saloon feature race in Napier and second in the feature race at Baypark Family Speedway's opening night in October.

Originally published in Te Puke News by Sun Media.