Media Release

Drouin Speedway on Sunday the 21st of April held the final round of the Victory Lane Racegear Gippsland Challenge for Wingless Sprints and it was to be visiting Australian Champion Brett Milburn from Pearcedale who took the win Bairnsdale quartet Peter Laity, Adam Greenwood, Mark Laity and Gary Bowden to close out the series won by Leongatha’s Dayn Bentvelzen.

With six heats and a final to the Wingless Sprints Luke Cole, Milburn, Peter Laity, Simon Smith, Rob Johnson & Peter Temby all took wins.

The Australian champion Milburn was sensational as he took his second feature win of the four round series when he beat Peter Laity, Greenwood, Mark Laity & Bowden.

Despite finishing in eighth Bentvelzen over the day had done enough in heat races to finish as the Victory Lane Racegear Gippsland Challenge series winner and was delighted to have done so.
“This is awesome. I remember my first feature win at the Drouin and so now to clinch this series win at the same venue is just something I am going to remember for a long time. Thank you to my supporters and my crew Anthony. Thanks to all the series supporters and I look forward to next year as defending champion.” Shared Bentvelzen.

In other racing on the day the visiting Super Modifieds were entertaining with Gary Hamblin crossing the line ahead of Graeme Pitcher and Graeme Briggs in the demonstration final in a division where nobody cares who finishes first but wants to make sure they are the ones that do.

Michael Suckling was first home in Junior Standard Saloons, Josh Stewart first in SSA Junior Sedans and Wayne Milburn from Nar Nar Goon led home Darren Skilton and Jaedn Alberni in the Open Sedan final with Victoria # 2 Leigh Gooding defeating Victor Benson and John Barwise in the Open Standard Saloons.

Drouin Speedway thanks its supporters:
Wayson Oil’s
Ampworks
Robin Hood Hotel
Drysdale Chaff Mills
Kouda Signs
Brimstone Fire
Viking Rentals
Polish N Shine
Victory Lane Race gear
Ramsdale Wreckers
Moe Grain & Farm
Laser Electrical
Sensations Adult Store
Southern Star Automotive
Pakenham Automatics
Pakenham 4 x 4 Wreckers
B.O.C Tyres
Densu Group Promotions
Inaction Photos

Written by DMT Media’s Dean Thompson
on behalf of Drouin Speedway club

On Sunday the 17th of March Drouin Speedway held three great feature events together with club categories and it was three different winners we hadn’t seen at Drouin Speedway before or in recent seasons that took out the major races. Corey Lincoln from Beveridge won the ‘Kouda Signs Classic’ for SSA Junior Sedans, Michael Knight from Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs won the Sports Sedan Rumble and Mark Laity from Bairnsdale won the ‘Drysdale Chaff Mills’ Wingless 500 for Wingless Sprints.

Firstly with the kids Brooke Buckingham from Geelong was voted best presented car for which he won a gift voucher for before motoring on to the first heat race victory ahead of Cameron Pearson and Corey Lincoln. Corey Lincoln then won heat two in front of Hamilton’s Brock Atkins and Eildon’s Chevy Edwards before the heats were wrapped up by Atkins winning the final heat in front of Buckingham and Caleb Lincoln.

The ‘Kouda Signs Classic’ was then won by former Australia # 2 Corey Lincoln who also just happens to be supported by Kouda Signs. Atkins was second then Buckingham making the top three places all new racers to the venue. Edwards was fourth and Pearson finished in fifth.

Atkins won a voucher from ‘Hillview Earthmoving’ for being top qualifier, Shona Bent won the feature race hard charger award supported by ‘Ash Hammond Graphix’ and the Stewards panel ‘GYB Motorsports’ Best & Fairest was awarded to Corey Lincoln.

‘Kouda Signs’ then supported awards for the most consistent to Jack Van Breman, improved driver & future star Caleb Lincoln, encouragement award to Tyler Barton and bad day hard luck award to Seth Bent.

In the Sports Sedan Rumble the plan was to have 12 to 15 Sports Sedans run stand alone. Unfortunately only a hand full showed so they agreed to run with Open Sedans who conform to the Sports Sedan rules in order to keep the feature event on the program.

In heat one of the Sports Sedans Luke Fallon ripped out his front end when he smashed into the concrete in turn one just after he crossed the line for the first lap. Ben Moon had mechanical issues and limped infield and Rod Henskens during the race suffered a flat tyre and had to park the car also. Michael Knight took the win from Allan Poole & Adrian Clarke.

Heat two was won by Henskens in front of Wayne Alberni and Allan Poole before Ben Moon took victory in the final heat over Knight and Peter Eastham.

Pole position qualifier Michael Knight then won the ‘Sports Sedan Rumble’ in front of Poole, Henskens, Alberni & Eastham.

The final feature category the Wingless Sprints were running for the ‘Drysdale Chaff Mills’ Wingless 500. Troy Small’s day started on the wrong foot as he eliminated himself from heat one going over the top of track lip and crunching the wall. Adam Greenwood from Bairnsdale won the heat from Laity & Travis Bergmeier.

Mick Fallon rolled over and bounced off the wall in heat two and Ross Jarred hit the same wall and rode his right hand wheels along the top before coming to a stop. Dayn Bentvelzen from Leongatha took the win from Gary Bowden & Pakenham’s Brad Warren. The final heat race was won by Laity followed across the line by fellow Bairnsdalian Bowden & the returning Small from Melbourne.

Feature race victory from start to finish came to Laity over Bowden and former winner Bentvelzen with Bergmeier and Warren completing the top five.

In Standard Saloons Victorian # 2 racer Leigh Gooding from Moe took a win ahead of Victor Benson and Stephen Thomas whilst in the Ladies Anne Gooding beat Karen Halliday with no other finishers.

The next race meeting will be in April with the Vintage Super Modifieds again on the program and the ‘Victory Lane Race gear’ Gippsland Challenge for Wingless Sprints. Check the club website for details.

Drouin Speedway thanks its supporters:
Wayson Oil’s
Ampworks
Robin Hood Hotel
Drysdale Chaff Mills
Kouda Signs
Brimstone Fire
Viking Rentals
Polish N Shine
Victory Lane Race gear
Ramsdale Wreckers
Moe Grain & Farm
Laser Electrical
Sensations Adult Store
Southern Star Automotive
Pakenham Automatics
Pakenham 4 x 4 Wreckers
B.O.C Tyres
Densu Group Promotions
Inaction Photos

Written by DMT Media’s Dean Thompson
on behalf of Drouin Speedway club

Drouin Speedway on Sunday the 10^th 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

Drouin Speedway raced its second meeting since Christmas this past weekend when the annual 6 Cylinder Standard Saloon feature was held with current Victorian Champion Dale Morrison winning a cracker against Matt Nelson to be the inaugural ‘Robin Hood Cup’ winner in the event supported by the ‘Robin Hood Hotel’. On the same race program Jesse McKinnell kept Cameron Pearson at bay who was gunning for a third straight feature win in his division and Owen Milton showed he will be the favourite to win the upcoming Victorian Mini Sprint Championship with a dominate display.

The ‘Robin Hood Cup’ began with a win of son over father in heat win with Matt Nelson beating dad Wayne whilst the Victorian Champ Morrison trailed in third place. Matt Nelson then took out the second heat from Morrison with Nick Chrystie in third. Nelson made it a heat race clean sweep by defeating Morrison again in the last heat with Chrystie once again third.

Matt Nelson and Morrison lined up on the front row together for the twenty lap final with Chrystie and Wayne Nelson right behind. Nelson and Morrison swapped the lead before Nelson held onto it for the majority of the race. As the two worked through lapped traffic Nelson washed towards the wall in turn one and two and Morrison pounced. Morrison took the lead and Morrison came back at him. It was close and never a forgone conclusion with Morrison coming home the victor from Nelson, Wayne Nelson, Chrystie and Joseph Lia.

The SSA Juniors have really taking over in recent meetings as the strongest division appearing at the Drouin venue. The Alexandra Speedway Club members and the Nyora members have really enjoyed coming to the Drouin and experiencing a new venue. Pearson was as mentioned aiming for a third feature win in a row at the venue and started off with a heat win over Jack Van Breman & Jesse McKinnell before he was black flagged in the second heat for a racing incident with McKinnell. McKinnell reinstated at the front took the win from Van Breman and Dean Burton.

Pearson returned to win heat three from McKinnell and Van Breman and the scene was set for a great feature race battle. Jesse McKinnell took the lead early in the final. Van Breman and Pearson were right behind and swapping positions early before a race incident forced Van Breman to the rear of the field in results on the last lap and McKinnell took the win from Pearson, Dean Burton, Megan McKinnell and Shona Bent.

The Mini Sprintcars are one of two feature events at the upcoming February 10th race meeting and it was Owen Milton taking two heat wins and Matt Parsons one before Milton blasted away in the final to win from Wayne Hurford and Parsons.
In Ladies Standard Saloon racing the club point score looked as if it could be heading Anne Gooding’s way at the end of the season. She won all three heats and then the final against Tegan Bullard and Sonia Nelson.

Anne’s husband Leigh then won a declared final in the V8 Standards just as a really close battle was occurring with Russell Hill. An incident back in the pack whilst the two leaders were closed resulted in a declared result with Gooding, Hill and then Victor the Benson securing the three placings.

In VSC Open Sedans a small field entertained with the returning Rick McCormack throwing a cat amongst the pigeons by getting in amongst the leaders straight away. Matt Nelson won two heats and his father Wayne the other before Matt clinched the final win from McCormack and Sonia Nelson.

Adrian Lawrence and Michael Suckling were great in the Junior Standards and whilst Lawrence was first across the line they were before winners in the eyes of the fans.

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

Drouin Speedway Club hosted the Victorian Championship for the VSC Open Sedan’s on January the 6th and it was local resident Ray Gould who took a commanding victory never headed in the final race of the day to finally after 45 years of trying, win a Victorian State Championship.

A delighted crowd saluted the new Champion with many of hits mates also long time racers in the crowd to watch him salute the flagman for the win. In fact some of his good mates prepared the best dry day track at the venue for a long long time and it was a credit to them as it allowed passing on the outside lanes and two lanes through the turns.
With sixteen other drivers to beat, Gould would win against veterans and youngsters, V8’s and Sixers and even a Ute!

The six qualifying heats were won by Wayne Nelson, Ray Gould, Darren Nelson, Wayne Alberni, Sonia Nelson and Nathan Fawns. Fawns qualified highest points and claimed pole position for the championship with Gould alongside and Alan McKinnon with Wayne Alberni and Darren Nelson directly behind them with Tim McPherson.

At the drop of the green flag to begin the championship, Gould took the lead and was over the distance of the race never headed. He stretched out a large lead in his Cortina over the Falcon of Fawns before a yellow light period brought him back to the pack.

Gould finished just ahead of Fawns, then McKinnon in the Ute, Wayne Alberni and Matt Nelson who was elevated into fifth place after starting at the rear of the field in mums race car to defend his championship, at the expense of his uncle Darren Nelson who was excluded from fourth position by stewards due to a passing manoeuvre they deemed illegal.

Gould spoke to the announcer after the race to share his delight. “I’ve been chasing this for 45 years to win a Victorian. My best mates, my family and a great bunch of competitors are here to share it with me. It is a moment to cherish. I thank all my supporters of course and Drouin Speedway Club and the Victorian Speedway Council for putting a fantastic championship.”

In other events on the day Dean West and Shannon Meakins won heats for the SDAV Rods before local Maryknoll resident West went on to win the final convincingly ahead of Kali Hovey and Meakins when West was so far in front he was almost on the tail of second, third and fourth place having their own battle for position.

In Speedway Sedan’s Australia Juniors Alexandra and Nyora visitors joined Drouin local Rochelle Hill to do battle. Cameron Pearson and Chevy Edwards both from the Alexandra club won heats before clashing in the final race as they both tried to pass a slower racer. They both moved to the outside and clipped each other and sent the car of Edwards flying into the concrete wall. Pearson went on to win from Seth Bent and Tyler Barton.

Vintage Super Modifieds provided spirited demonstrations and for what its worth in a field that is in it for the social fun, Glen Barnett led Jeff Long and Graeme Briggs to the finish line. Anne Gooding won the ladies in front of Trish Dike and Karen Halliday and then watched as her husband thrashed the Open Standards field and then being blacked flagged out of the results for celebrating in a manner deemed potentially dangerous. This reporter has never seen this rule enforced before, however it exists according to conversation with stewards after the event.

Victor ‘The Inflictor’ Benson was handed the win after the demise of Leigh Gooding and David Rose and Joseph Lia filled the placings. Victorian Speedway Council Juniors also had a run and Steven Danks had the race his to lose as he closed up behind Adrian Lawrence to lap him. A touch into the Lawrence car as Danks tried to find a way past, resulted in Lawrence losing a little car control and Danks being put back one position to finish second behind Lawrence.

Drouin Speedway thanks its supporters:
Wayson Oil’s
Ampworks
Robin Hood Hotel
Brimstone Fire
Polish N Shine
Victory Lane Racegear
Ramsdale Wreckers
Moe Grain & Farm
Laser Electrical
Sensations Adult Store
Southern Star Automotive
Pakenham Automatics
Pakenham 4 x 4 Wreckers
B.O.C Tyres
Densu Group Promotions
Inaction Photos

Written by DMT Media’s Dean Thompson
on behalf of Drouin Speedway club

Drouin Speedway on December the 9th had a packed day of racing for fans with seven categories on the program including the Standard Saloons competing for the prestigious ‘Moe Grain & Farm’ Eliminator Cup with some of the top drivers in the area competing in the event supported by two of Gippsland’s long time racer Leigh & Anne Gooding.

Sprintcars & Vintage Super Modifieds were on the program to give fans a bit of the past and the now in Sprintcar racing and a big field of Open Sedans were on hand getting laps in before their state championship at the same venue in January.

It was a day full of drama which all began when Colin Cull in the opening round for the Eliminator Cup clipped a infield tyre and rolled down part of the back straight, Cull was the only driver to make the mistake of running under the pole line for the rest of the day and he went looking for the photographers to organise purchase of the sequence of shots for his man shed’s wall.

In six heat results prior to determining the start field Ben Randall, Chris Stewart, Chris Stewart again, Leigh Gooding, then Stewart and Gooding both once more took the heat wins and put themselves on the front row with Stewart on pole for the feature race start.

With three segments to the final and running clockwise first Gooding took the lead early and Stewart settled in to get the car across the line safely in the first segment. Other drivers were not so fortunate as the infield had a number of cars boiling the kettle so to speak.

In segment two more of the same for Gooding and Stewart as they led the field comfortably to finish the eight lap segment at the front.

In the third segment it all mattered and it was here that Stewart made is move whilst Gooding tried to hold his position at the front however was rounded up and left to play the cop in cops and robbers. Rosedale’s Chris Stewart went on to take the win from Gooding, Matt Nelson, Alexandra’s Nick Chrystie and Ash England from Wonthaggi.

A delighted winner spoke to the track announcer afterwards. “I am stoked to win. Money wise it’s the highest paying feature in the state for our division. Prestige wise its right up there behind the state championship as two long time Standard Saloon competitors Leigh & Anne support this event. I am stoked to win ahead of Leigh and thank them and Drouin Speedway for putting the event on every season.”

Keeping with Standards, Tegan Bullard won the ladies ahead of Charlene Dike and Darlene Parkinson whilst Adrian Lawrence took the win in the Junior Standards from Michael Suckling.

In Vintage Super Modifieds Howard Colwell led home Jim Duggan & Bob Noonan as the forerunners to Sprintcars entertained with their tear drop wings and on the same program a group of local Sprintcar owners who just want to get their cars on track and racing at venues close to them that other competitors are not to keen to do, put on some entertaining drives with Darren Painter first across the line in all three heats and Wayne Hurford first in the final hit out ahead of Painter and Warrick Taylor.

Junior SSA Sedans were also part of the program and with a cancellation of the previous nights racing at Alexandra a few extra cars made the trip to Drouin for the day. The Junior Sedans with their 1200cc engines and the power to weight ratio they have get around the venue pretty quick with times quicker than even the V8 Sedans.

In heat one action between leader Donald Young and second placed Chevy Edwards heated up as they both rounded up lapped traffic. Connection between the two had Edwards up against the wall and not long later as Edwards tried to run underneath Young out of turn two it left Young hard up against the wall and out of the game.

Medical attention was required for Young and he was transported off to hospital by ambulance where news since is that he is sore but not broken which the speedway world are pleased to hear. Both Young and Edwards were disqualified from race results by the steward for the incidents mentioned and this left Cameron Pearson to go on and win the heat.

Edwards came back and won the second heat and then the third heat races. In the final a false start in which the steward pinged Edwards for being the cause seen Edwards sent to the back for the restart. Wit Edwards stuck behind developing drivers at the back, it allowed Pearson and Van Breman to get away and Edwards was never able to catch up. Pearson led all the way to win from Van Breman and the fast and entertaining Edwards.

The last division on the program was the Open Sedans. With a big field of cars they all ran three out of four programmed heat races. Many cars were at Drouin to scout the venue before the state championship in January.

In heat one a number of cars failed to finish due to damage or mechanical concerns including Tim McPherson, Matt Nelson the state champion, Wayne Nelson, Wayne Alberni and Steve Fawns. Les Feltham went on to win from Ray Gould and Aaron Price.

Jaedn Alberni took the in from Feltham in the second with his dad in third place, Wayne Alberni and the Nathan Fawns and Tim McPherson. In the third heat it was a Feltham win again from Darren Nelson and Wayne Alberni, Nathan Fawns and Jaedn Alberni before the final heat settled starting positions for the final with Nathan Fawns holding out Darren Nelson and Ben McCoy with only one other finisher.

The final race began with Feltham on pole and Nathan Fawns alongside. The first start was aborted as both drivers tangled at the start finish line as they greeted the green. The chief steward deemed both drivers at fault and sent them both to the rear of the field much to the disgust of both who blamed each other for the bad start and argued a warning a complete restart was in order.

With the two top drivers of the day stuck behind traffic it left an open path for Darren Nelson who has a habit of winning at Drouin in Open Sedans, to fire his V8 powered machine on forward. Matt Nelson moved up in places and had a good battle with Jaedn Alberni.

Official results were Darren Nelson, Matt Nelson & Jaedn Alberni.

Drouin Speedway returns after Christmas on January the 6th with the SDAV Hot Rods on the program, the Victorian championship for Open Sedans. The Sprintcars if six cars nominate and all club divisions including SSA Sedans, VSC Juniors, Standard Saloons & Ladies dependent on nominations.

Drouin Speedway thanks its supporters:
Wayson Oil’s
Ampworks
Robin Hood Hotel
Brimstone Fire
Polish N Shine
Victory Lane Racegear
Ramsdale Wreckers
Moe Grain & Farm
Laser Electrical
Sensations Adult Store
Southern Star Automotive
Pakenham Automatics
Pakenham 4 x 4 Wreckers
B.O.C Tyres
Densu Group Promotions
Inaction Photos

Written by DMT Media’s Dean Thompson
on behalf of Drouin Speedway club

Drouin Speedway on November the 11th had a small but enthusiastic field of racers roll up to compete for the thrills and spills that Speedway racing provides whilst the Ladies had the extra incentive of possibly being crowned Gippsland Zone Champion.

Kellie McDermott who last season won the women’s title for the third year in a row added the Gippsland zone championship after she was able to defeat Charlene Dike, Kellie Garlick, Tegan Bullard and Anne Gooding to claim the prize.

Earlier in three heats Anne Gooding had a win over Bullard and Garlick then Garlick had a win over McDermott and Bullard before McDermott took the result in the last heat from Garlick and Bullard.

For the fifteen lap final with six starters McDermott quickly established her favouritism shooting to the front. Some patient driving by Dike elevated her into third then second position. McDermott brought her fathers Commodore to the finish line in front to be declared the zone champion.

After the race McDermott spoke. “In difficult conditions with the heat I thought the track was really good especially the way it was prepared for our final and congratulate the volunteers for their work. Well done to the other competitors for the results they have achieved. I look forward to racing them all again soon.”

In VSC Open Sedans Matt Nelson who the previous night had raced at Ballarat in the Modified division won two of the three heats with Les Feltham winning the other ahead of Nelson. The six cylinder Commodore of Nelson held off the 308ci powered Feltham race car in the final with Wayne Nelson completing the top three.

The only other division with enough cars to make a race meeting was the Men’s Standards or Open Standards where both men and women can compete. Matt Nelson was also competing in this category in another race car and managed to win against Leigh Gooding and Wayne Nelson in heat one. A modern miracle happened when for the first time since man stepped on the moon, John Watson won a heat race at full pace against good competition. Wayne Tooze filled second and Joseph Lia third.

Finally Ben Randall made it a third different winner from three heats when he won ahead of Gooding and Matt Nelson.
Off the front row Gooding was going to be tough to defeat and it proved that way with Gooding and Matt nelson exchanging racing pleasantries as they headed through the turns. Gooding at the end of twelve laps took the win over Randall, Watson, Wayne Nelson and Travis Evans.

On December the ninth Drouin Speedway will hold its annual ‘Eliminator Cup’ for all Standard Saloons, a race where in the final every 8 laps four cars at the rear of the field are eliminated until the last twelve lap dash with the final eight to ten drivers remaining.

Drouin Speedway thanks its supporters:
Wayson Oil’s
Robin Hood Hotel
Brimstone Fire
Polish N Shine
Victory Lane Racegear
Ramsdale Wreckers
Moe Grain & Farm
Laser Electrical
Sensations Adult Store
Southern Star Automotive
Pakenham Automatics
Pakenham 4 x 4 Wreckers
B.O.C Tyres
Densu Group Promotions
Inaction Photos

Written by DMT Media’s Dean Thompson
on behalf of Drouin Speedway Club

In poor weather where it rained all day, Drouin Speedway ended its season with a club day supported well by club members in Standard Saloons and Open Sedans with the Vintage Super Modifieds the visiting attraction.

As persistent rain showers and then drizzle continued through the day some drivers elected not to compete whilst others competed when they thought the track was in reasonable condition, however the volunteers at the venue soldiered on in the rain and the race meeting was able to run two rounds of heats and finals with Mark Miles winning in the Standard Saloons whilst Darren Nelson won the Open Sedans in categories well supported on the day by competitors.

Due to the weather Miles won a shortened feature over ten laps lapping all competitors upto second place Matt Nelson. Visiting driver from Colac John Barwise took third place. Earlier in heats Nick Chrystie in his second ever race meeting, Miles, Matt Nelson & Barwise won the four qualifiers.

Darren Nelson was a strong qualifier the previous weekend at Alexandra Speedway and continued good form to win both heats at Drouin and then win the final from Daniel Angus and Matt Nelson doing double duty as usual

In other categories Lachie Reeves won the Junior SSA 1200s from Donald Young and Kye Walters whilst Travis Evans had his first ever feature win when he beat Ryan Thomson and Tyson Cull in Junior Standard Saloons. Anne Gooding won the Ladies Standards from Tegan Bullard and Sonia Nelson and the Vintage Super Modifieds demonstration races were entertaining with the old V8 powered open wheelers bringing fans back to the past of today’s Sprintcars.
Drouin Speedway would like to thank the following for their wonderful support:

Ramsdale Wreckers
Moe Grain & Farm
Victory Lane Race gear
Keena Fencing
Wayson Waste Oil Collection
Active Graphics
Drysdale Chaff Mills
Migwell Australia
Robin Hood Hotel
Glen Comrie Caravan Park
Inaction Photos
Kincrome
Brimstone Fire Protection

Written by
Dean Thompson
Drouin Media Representative

The Wingless Sprints and the Open Sedan categories both had important feature events at Drouin Speedway on Sunday April 15th and it was Warrnambool’s Brad Warren who won the Pakenham business ‘Victory Lane Racegear’ Gippsland Challenge series final round which doubled also as the ‘Drysdale Chaff Mills Wingless 500’ and Victorian champion Matt Nelson won the ‘Mully’s Transport’ Open Sedan feature in a great day of racing.

Brad Warren who was second in series points coming into the final round after racing at Rosedale, Bairnsdale the weekend prior and Nyora the night before took victory in heat one from Adrian Densley & Luke Cole before Justin Barton won the next heat over Dayn Bentvelzen & Adam Greenwood to finish the first round of heats. Barton was clocked with a 17.09 second lap time making him the fastest captured time in the first round.

Moving into round two Troy Small won from Leongatha’s Bentvelzen and Greenwood in the third heat and Dave McKay won over Peter Laity and Mark Laity both from Bairnsdale.

The final round of heats seen the series leader punted into the back straight wall putting him over onto his lid and out of the race meeting with a destroyed race car until Ross Jarred from Mirboo North vacated his opportunity to run in the final and let Dubois start in it from the rear of the field. Wayne Milburn Jnr won the final heat from Cole and Warren.

Come feature time Warren blasted away early and led from start to finish with Greenwood and Bentvelzen swapping places in the second and third positions a couple times over the journey with Milburn Jnr and Cole having a great tussle back in fourth and fifth.

Warren took out the Gippsland Challenge series from Dubois and Bentvelzen.

In the Open Sedan feature Darren Nelson led a family triffecta in heat one with Matt Nelson and Wayne Nelson finishing second and third in heat one before Rick McCormick won the second heat from Les Feltham and Matt Nelson in heat two. McCormick then won the final heat from Matt Nelson and Scott Angus.

The final began with McCormick and Matt Nelson at the front of the field and with Darren Nelson close the top three had a great battle. McCormick pulled out whilst he was having a good run when his car started to steam. Matt Nelson went on to win from Darren Nelson, Scott Angus, Daniel Angus and Ben McCoy.

In support racing for the day Debbie Donaldson won the Ladies Standard Saloon final over Anne Gooding and Kellie Garlick. Leigh Gooding won a sensational Standard Saloon three way battle when he come off turn four and up the outside to pass Wayne Nelson for first on the final lap with Dale Morrison in third place and in Junior Sedans Ryan Thomson won from Dylan Pendlebury and Josh Thomas.

Drouin Speedway is next on again on May the 6th with a 3 Litre Sedan race feature and all club classes.

Drouin Speedway would like to thank the following for their wonderful support:

Ramsdale Wreckers
Moe Grain & Farm
Victory Lane Race gear
Keena Fencing
Wayson Waste Oil Collection
Active Graphics
Drysdale Chaff Mills
Migwell Australia
Robin Hood Hotel
Glen Comrie Caravan Park
Inaction Photos
Kincrome
Brimstone Fire Protection

Written by
Dean Thompson
Drouin Media Representative

Drouin Speedway on Sunday the 18th of March was the place to be for motorsport fans in Gippsland as they got to see two Victorian Championships decided with Morwell’s Daryl Logue winning the Division 2 Hot Rod championship whilst Jason May from Melbourne took the win in SDAV Hot Rod championship in a great days racing.

The Division 2 racers started the day with their feature race held over from a previous rain out at the venue. Logue was the top qualifier after the qualifying heats on the last race date where Scott Laidlaw, Stephen Severs, John Dike Jnr, Toby Callanan, Logue and Andrew Galley won races.

As the second race on the program the drivers got the best possible track conditions before the sun really started to affect the venue later in the day. Logue jumped to the lead early initially with Laidlaw in tow. The thirty lap race went on with defending champion Logue taking the win from Galley, Gordon Angus, Laidlaw and Jeff Smith.

Logue who is in the process of stepping into a national division to go racing was now a back to back state champion in the division and delighted with the result. “Thanks to all my crew, family and supporters for their encouragement and assistance always. This is a great division and whilst I am stepping up into Modified Productions it will be great to have a run in the class every now and then in the future. Congratulations to the other place getters here and thank you to Drouin for the work and effort you put in today for our title.”

Following the Division 2 Hot Rods the main event on the scheduled days racing was the Victorian SDAV Hot Rod championship and a new champion was crowned when Jason May took out the winning almost leading every second of the race accept for a couple of slide jobs between he and outgoing champion Jason Kavanagh who finished second in front of Eddie Ivermee, Allen Luckett and Kali Hovey who completed the top five.

Heat races for the SDAV Rods were won by Russ Hovey, Luckett and May with May qualifying pole position with Ivermee alongside and Kavanagh & Luckett behind. After the win May was still overwhelmed with the result but thankful for his support. “Without my family, crew and Mega Auto Parts this wouldn’t be possible so thank you to them all who made this happen with me. Thank you to Jason Kavanagh for his kind words as outgoing champion, he is somebody I admire and aspire to achieve the accomplishments he has. Thank you to all in our club for all their encouragement and camaraderie and I look forward to representing the club as the # 1 driver with the same distinction as others have before me.”

In support racing for the day Anne Gooding won the Ladies Standard Saloon final from Debbie Donaldson and Sonia Nelson whilst Ryan Thomson finished in front of Brian Scandrett and Travis Evans in the Junior Standard Saloons. Leigh Gooding made it a husband and wife double when he won the Open Standard Saloon feature ahead of Terry Bullard and Wayne Tooze whilst Les Feltham won the Open Sedan final from Sonia Nelson and Brad Lunn. The final feature result was the race meetings scheduled Division 2 Hot Rod races with Laidlaw winning from Rob Tatterson and Jimmy Low.

Drouin Speedway fires up next on the 15th of April so be sure to pencil that date into your calendar.

Drouin Speedway would like to thank the following for their wonderful support:

Ramsdale Wreckers
Moe Grain & Farm
Victory Lane Race gear
Keena Fencing
Wayson Waste Oil Collection
Active Graphics
Drysdale Chaff Mills
Migwell Australia
Robin Hood Hotel
Glen Comrie Caravan Park
Inaction Photos
Kincrome
Brimstone Fire Protection

Written by
Dean Thompson
Drouin Media Representative