Drouin Speedway on Sunday the 10th of February hosted the Victorian Mini Sprint Championship and the ‘BOC Tyres – Kenda Tires’ Daylight Dash for Junior Sedans and pre event favourite Owen Milton overcame any pre race pressure to take the # 1 number in the Mini Sprints whilst Avalon Speedway Clubs Michael Skene visiting Drouin for the first time in the season won the Junior Sedan blue ribbon feature.
Prior to the Mini Sprint feature event six heat races were held to determine the starting positions in the championship race. Matt Parsons, Owen Milton then Danny Milton, Stuart Ferguson, Wayne Hurford and once more Stuart Ferguson took out the heat race wins.
Owen Milton and Stuart Ferguson then began at the front of the field with Parsons and Hurford on the second row and Luke Ferguson and Danny Milton on row three.
The race was sensational for Milton who never looked in trouble rocketing around the mid track line of the Speedway and despite mechanical glitches during the day Stuart Ferguson was able to have his car motor him home in second place ahead of Parsons, Hurford and New South Wales racer Shane Cooper. The only lady in the division on the day Amy Phillips came home in sixth place.
The Junior Sedans ‘Daylight Dash’ had a healthy field with racers regular to the venue joined by Michael Skene from over the West Gate bridge. Cameron Pearson (Alexandra Speedway Club), Chevy Edwards (Alexandra S.C) and Skene took wins in the three heat races that put Pearson and Skene on the front row of the feature field ahead of Edwards, Jesse McKinnell (Alexandra S.C), Wayne Furmston (Alexandra S.C) and Megan McKinnell (Alexandra S.C) starting in the top six.
In one of the most exciting races so far this season at the venue, the top three of Skene, Pearson and Edwards were all with a car length of each other throughout most of the race. Pearson and Skene held the lead before Skene got the better of the Pearson and led him, Edwards, Furmston and Dean Burton (Alexandra S.C) across the line as the top five.
In Ladies Standard Saloon racing Anne Gooding once again took the feature win ahead of the visiting Karen Haliday and Melissa Kairys after she had won two heats earlier in the day with Haliday winning the other.
In Vintage Super Modifieds it was great to see the various machines of days gone by enjoy some spirited demonstration races. For what it’s worth Mark Banks in his first time out in the old Bob Anderson A Grade Hot Rod that used to run on a regular basis at Nyora Raceway in the 80’s and 90s met the finish line first ahead of Jim Duggan and Graham Briggs.
Junior Standards was competitive throughout the day also with Adrian Lawrence (Rosedale S.C) winning the first two heats before damaging his race car in the third heat. That was won by Josh Thomas (Bairnsdale S.C) who also won the final ahead of Ty Hutton (Rosedale S.C) and Lawrence.
Open Standard Saloons began with heat wins in the first two to Mark Miles (Nyora S.C) before his car was crashed out in a third heat incident that was won by Victor Benson (Drouin S.C). The crash in the third heat involving up to five cars resulted in three not finishing the race. Miles had damage and decided to park his car and not risk further concerns with the Victorian Championship soon to be held. The Car Wayne Nelson (Alexandra S.C) was in was fixed to run again and the car Dale Morrison was in also came back out later in the day.
Unfortunately stewards were required to step into a simmering situation between some competitors of the division and a couple of suspension penalties were issued.
Leigh Gooding (Drouin S.C) won the final from Adam Brill (Rosedale Speedway Club) and Matt McDermott (Rosedale S.C).
Drouin Speedway thanks its supporters:
Wayson Oil’s
Ampworks
Robin Hood Hotel
Monarch Power Sweeping
RMS Line marking
Moe Grain & Farm
B.O.C Tyres
Viking Rentals
Polish N Shine
Brimstone Fire
Victory Lane Racegear
Ramsdale Wreckers
Laser Electrical
Sensations Adult Store
Southern Star Automotive
Pakenham Automatics
Pakenham 4 x 4 Wreckers
Densu Group Promotions
Inaction Photos
Written by DMT Media’s Dean Thompson
on behalf of Drouin Speedway club