Dean Thompson posted Monday November 9, 2009.
Speedway in West Gippsland roared to life once more as the 09/10 season got itself into full swing with the first National category visit’s for the season as the Formula 500’s and Compact Speedcars hit the track on Sunday the 8th of November.
The Formula 500’s in round one of their statewide KC Sheds & Garages & Tri Steel Stampede Series arrived with a mixture of accomplished veterans and youthful exuberance as defending series champion Dale Sinclair along with seasoned campaigners Ian Smith, Matt Turner and Kevin Freeman took on fresh face from the Junior Sedans Jesse Nicholas and youngster Jeremy Beddison and James Aranyosi.
Six heats produced wins to Tim Hicks, Jeremy Beddison x 2, Kevin Freeman, Steve Horton and Jesse Nicholas who is in his rookie season.
Nicholas who started on pole couldn’t make the most of the position as Chad Sullivan scooted away and Hicks got by in the early going. Smith moved forward also getting past Nicholas whilst Hicks got airborne in turn one at around half distance bringing about a red light stoppage.
At the green Sullivan stormed away to defeat Nicholas, Smith, Beddison, Jye O’Keefe, Dale Sinclair, Turner, Horton, Ash Sinclair and Freeman.
Ben Brighton and Marc Montague took out the heats in Men’s Standards and Montague in his first official senior feature win led all the way finishing ahead of Brighton, Rene Van Der Elst, Jason Leonard, Shane Ardley and Jared Gleeson.
The Compact Speedcars ran three heats with wins to Brad Day, Jason Crawford and Troy Woolley only to not get to run their feature due to a Speedway rule that can see a categories final cancelled if they can’t get the race started after 3 attempts. The guys just couldn’t get through turn one and the Chief Steward invoked the cancellation rule.
Ladies Standard Saloons was won by Debbie Donaldson from Teagan Bullard and Anne Gooding whilst the Junior Standards result was Shaun Clegg, Matt Nelson and Brodie Montague. The final class was the Open Independents and Rob Bickham took the win from Rick McCormack and Wayne Nelson.
Drouin Speedway will be back again on December 12th with a round of the North Eastern Australian Wingless Sprint series and Lightning Sprints along with Standard Saloons and Speedway Go Karts.
Drouin Speedway would like to thank the following for their wonderful support:
- Ramsdale Wreckers
- Moe Grain & Farm
- Drysdale Chaff Mills
- Logue’s Auto Wreckers
- West Gippsland Welding Supplies