Two-time New Zealand Sprint Car champion Jonathan Allard has sent an early warning to his rivals with a commanding victory at Baypark Speedway’s season-opening meeting on Saturday night.

The Auckland-based driver, originally from Chico, California, claimed the first 20-lap Sprint Car feature race of the 2026-27 season, reigniting expectations ahead of the New Zealand Sprint Car Championship, which will be contested at Baypark in March.

Allard, who won national Sprint Car titles at Baypark in 2011 and 2016, held off former New Zealand champion Dean Brindle in a thrilling contest. Brindle mounted a pair of mid-race challenges, but Allard maintained control to cross the line 0.893 seconds clear.

“Daltons give me the best equipment. Carl Campbell puts the car together with me during the week and I’ve got my mentor, Peter Murphy, here with me tonight,” Allard said in a Baypark Speedway statement.

“If I do my job, we can be in a position to win.”

Allard also praised the Baypark track surface, saying the wide racing line created excellent racing conditions.

Former national champion Brindle’s strong return to competition after a season away added further intrigue to the Sprint Car contest, while Jamie Larsen impressed in his new car.

Auckland’s Zackary Sokol battled back to fourth after a slow start from the outside of the front row.

Te Awamutu’s Mitch Fabish has claimed back-to-back opening night feature race wins at Baypark Speedway. Photo / Stuart Whitaker, The Write Angle

In the Midget class, Te Awamutu driver Mitch Fabish successfully defended his season-opening title from last year with an outstanding performance in a new Terminator chassis.

Fabish topped qualifying after winning his first heat and charging from ninth to third in the second, before converting a front-row start into victory in the 20-lap feature.

“I got a good start and was able to get a good gap,” Fabish said.

“I had an unbelievable car, and it was probably the best overall night I’ve ever had with two wins and third.”

Hamilton’s Daniel Thomas finished second, 2.271 seconds behind Fabish, with Brock Maskovich holding off Ben Morrison to secure third place.

The Super Stock class produced one of the closest contests of the night, with former New Zealand champion Todd Hemingway of Tauranga claiming overall honours by a single point from Stefan Roigard.

Former NZ champion Todd Hemingway posted a win, a second and a fourth to win the opening night of Super Stock competition at Baypark Speedway. Photo / Stuart Whitaker, The Write Angle

Scott Tennant completed the podium, with all three drivers securing race wins during the evening.

Baypark competitor Matt Coombe emerged on top in the Stock Car division after recording two race wins and a fourth placing, finishing narrowly ahead of Bryce Carter and Les Hepworth.

In the Youth Mini Stocks, Gisborne visitor Arie Cuthbert edged Kihikihi driver Reece Fraser by two points to claim the opening-night honours.

Baypark Speedway returns on November 7 for its annual Bay Fireworks Night, featuring the third running of the Bill Buckley Midget Car Classic as the headline attraction.