Media Release

Dean Thompson posted Monday January 11, 2010.

In hot and dry conditions on Sunday the 10th of January local Speedway fans were treated to some great sedan action with Round two of the 3 Litre Association series the headline act supported by Division 2 Hot Rod’s and Standard Saloons.

The visiting 3 Litres had drivers that had travelled as far away as Warrnambool and Bendigo to put on a fantastic days racing with local drivers Jeff Leahy and Peter Temby amongst the spoils when it came to ‘Ramsdale Wreckers Cup’ feature time.

Six heats were run with Jeff Leahy a Drouin Speedway Club member winning two heats and coming second in his third to head the qualifying point’s sheets. Another Drouin member Peter Temby with a 1st, 5th and a 3rd in heat races qualified in fourth. Other heat winners were Steve Sutherland, Nick Hill from Nar Nar Goon and Dale Morrison from Pakenham.

The feature race field lined up with Leahy, Sutherland, Hill, Temby, Jack McClure, Morrison, Gary Wicks and Scott Mallon the top 8 qualifiers. For 25 laps Leahy from Cranbourne led the field with a healthy margin from Sutherland. Temby reeled in Sutherland at times however couldn’t move forward of him whilst Morrison and McClure had a race long stoush. Hill whilst third pulled infield with overheating concerns with the engine.

Leahy the victor from Sutherland, Temby, Morrison, McClure and Wayne Alberni.

The Men’s Standard Saloons once again treated the crowd to a great feature race with the top four drivers getting away from the field and only finding themselves being split when the caught up to the tail of the field on the last two laps of the final race. Michael Ardley made the most of the slower car’s in front and took the win from Jason Leonard and Leigh Gooding.

Debbie Donaldson was the winner in the Ladies Standard Saloon’s ahead of Tegan Bullard and Anne Gooding and Alexandra Junior Standard driver Matt Nelson won the Junior event ahead of teammate Sean Clegg and local Cameron Dike.

A delighted Trish Dike passed Rob Tatterson during the Division 2 Hot Rod final to win with Peter Angus finishing third.

Drouin Speedway is next racing on January 31st with the 6cyl Standard Saloon ‘Riley Memorial’ and the SDAV Hot Rods the feature events for the day.

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

• Ramsdale Wreckers
• Moe Grain & Farm
• Drysdale Chaff Mills
• Migwell Australia
• Logue’s Auto Wreckers
• West Gippsland Welding Supplies
• Image Signage Solutions

Dean Thompson posted Monday December 14, 2009.

Drouin Speedway provided another day of great racing on Sunday the 13th of December with the visiting Wingless Sprints visiting for round two of their North East Australian Wingless Sprints series providing a great show along with the Men’s Standard Saloon feature that was a ripper.

The visiting Wingless Sprints presented well with a dozen cars on hand to battle for 3 heats each before their 20 lap final. Heat victories in order were to David McKay, Scott Drew, Travis Effern, Scott Drew, David McKay and Paul Drew.

The feature grid lined up with Scott Drew and Paul Drew at the front with McKay and Tim Fisher on the second row then Adam Greenwood, Dan Robson, Effern, Robbie Johnson, Peter Green, Mark Campbell and Grant Attewell.

There were a number of stoppages on a tricky track due to spins and Fisher, Attewell and Campbell were amongst those that got caught out a couple of times.Great drives from rookies Greenwood and Effern put them up into the thick of things with both the Drew’s and Fisher. Effern got passed Robson and Paul Drew shuffled back to the back of the pack.

Scott Drew in his ‘Mark Haby Motors’ # 41 race car took out the win to give him two feature wins from two feature starts in the series with round three moving onto Nyora Speedbowl on December the 27th. McKay was 2nd ahead of Greenwood, Effern, Robson, Paul Drew, Fisher, Attewell and Campbell.

The Men’s Standard Saloon feature was a cracker of a race with Matt Jones and Ben Brighton leading Leigh Gooding in a three way tussle for 15 laps before lapped traffic allowed Gooding to get past Brighton. Gooding tried everything for the last few laps to get alongside, underneath and around Jones however Jones was too good and went onto win with Brighton third. Gooding acknowledged Jones in great sportsmanship pulling alongside the winner when he collected the chequer flag for a victory lap to give the thumbs up.

In Modified Dirt Karts Ben Telindert won from Mark Kokocinski and Brad King. The Outlaw Kart category was won by Dale Gourlay from Les King and Peter Temby back in third. Junior Karts victory went to Jack King from Ebony Hobson and her brother Todd Hobson.

Ladies Standards was taken out by Drouin Speedway treasurer Anne Gooding from Trish Dike and Tegan Bullard. Dike had driven well through the heats and was the one to beat however the big V8 powered car of Gooding blasted past from the second row and roared on home. Junior Standards was won by Alexandra Speedways Matt Nelson with Sabrina Randall and Jay Miles finishing behind.

Drouin Speedway thanks its sponsors:

• Ramsdale Wreckers
• Moe Grain & Farm
• Drysdale Chaff Mills
• Migwell Australia
• Logue’s Auto Wreckers
• West Gippsland Welding Supplies
• Visual Signage Solutions
• Keena Fencing
• AMP Works
• Westy’s Dairy Farm

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

Dean Thompson posted Monday November 2, 2009.

Drouin Speedway roars to life again this Sunday the 8th of November with plenty of action from the open wheel brigade as the Compact Speedcars return and the Victorian Formula 500 Association bring their travelling road show that is the KC Sheds & Garages & Tri Steel Stampede Series to West Gippsland’s favourite family entertainment venue.

The Compact Speedcars are looking forward to returning with Brad Day the winner of the feature last season keen to double up. He will be kept honest though by Jason ‘Hollywood’ Crawford and a field packed of drivers hungry for victory.

Justin McMinn a resident of Darwin will make the long trek down to race his car whilst Troy Wooley and John Unwin are sure to figure at the front. Rookies Connor McLeod, Dean Day and Brandon Griffiths will be keen to be the best performing rookie and just maybe cause an upset at the front.

The Formula 500’s are a welcome guest to the Drouin Speedway with their popular statewide series. Last seasons series champion Dale Sinclair and runner up Mat Turner are amongst the competitors in a field chock full of former talented Junior Sedan drivers and a few experienced veterans.

Jack lee, Chad Sullivan, Tim Hicks, Ian Smith, Jeremy Beddison, Jesse Nicholas, James Aronyosi, Ash Sinclair, Jye O’Keefe, Kevin Freeman, Marcus Heinrich and Steven Horton are all in the entries for the F500’s and all are sure to cause the top two from last season to take notice.

Club Sedan classes on the day as usual include the Standard Saloons for Men, Ladies and Juniors whilst a new edition to Drouin Speedway at the end of last season the Open Independents return for another run.

Competitors need to be in the pits by 10am and racing begins at 11am. Nominations are still being accepted by Bruce on 0439 934 522.

Prices for admission are $40 for a family of 2 adults and two kids between 12-16, $15- for Adult, $10 for Age/Invalid pensioner and kids 12-16yrs old

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

Sue Lindell posted Monday June 29, 2009.

3 course meal, DJ and karaoke

Date: 25th of July 2009

Venue: Pakenham Hall

Address: Corner of John and Henry Streets Pakenham

Time: 6.30pm

Prices

Adults: $29

Children: $19 (14 years and under)

Family: $79 (2 Adults and 2 children 14yrs and under)

For further information please contact the committee.

AGM to be held at Doveton Scout Hall

Magnolia Street, Doveton.

Wednesday the 5th of August 2009 at 8 pm.

Dean Thompson posted Monday June 15, 2009.

Sunday the 14th of June was the final race meeting for points at Drouin Speedway for the 08/09 season and the star of the show was Paul ‘The Wingman’ Farrell as he and his Cortina with Sprintcar wing took a clean sweep of all three heats and the feature in the Open Independents that were the guest category on the program. All track categories also had a run with Victoria 2 in Junior Standards Marc Montague also providing an outstanding display of racing.

The Open Independents having their first ever race meeting at Drouin started with a bang in heat one when a collision between Mark Alberni and John Watson resulted in Alberni’s VN Commodore being put out for the day with front end suspension and panard bar damage. Watson rejoined later in the day after some front end repairs. Farrell out front took the win from Daniel Argoon and Alexandra visitor Wayne Nelson with Cary Skewes, Justin Alberni, Jaedn Alberni, Michael Ardley and Ross Wise rounding out the field.

Farrell won heat two after starting on the second row and circulated a second a lap quicker than the first heat recording a 19.47 lap time. Nelson finished second from Argoon, Wise, Ardley, Justin Alberni, Jaedn Alberni and Watson.

The final heat resulted with a win to Farrell who came from 8th recording a 19.14 lap time along the way to win from Argoon, Ardley, Skewes, Jaedn Alberni, Justin Alberni, Wise and Nelson who was sent rear after a spin early in the race.

Come feature time the result remained the same as the heats with Farrell winning easily whilst Argoon, Skewes and Jaedn Alberni had a terrific tussle for the minor placings with all three taking a turn in 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions at various stages of the race. When a red flag intervened in the race proceedings when the track gate opened after a car hit it, Argoon was judged to finish second ahead of Skewes, Jaedn Alberni, Justin Alberni, Wise and Tim Cole.

In club categories Jason Andreatta and Warrick Taylor put on some great racing amongst a handful of Mini Sprintcars that made the show. Andreatta taking the feature win from Taylor and Kellie Banks whilst Taylor took out the fastest lap of the day of 16.82.

In ASCF Juniors Donald Young from Nyora took out his first win ahead of Bryce Reeves and Annalee Harrison. Mitch Whiting was leading well until engine gremlins set in and he pulled infield and Young held out Reeves all race long to be a deserved winner once Whiting pulled out.

In Division 2 Hot Rods some match racing between Scott Laidlaw and Greg Leahy entertained the crowd with Laidlaw dominant in the Bryan Galley built VZ Commodore.

In Standard Saloons Leigh Gooding was the best V8 Standard and overall feature winner whilst the best 6 cylinder car was Andrew Dike ahead of Rene Van Der Elst and Lachlan LeBrun. Ladies Standard Saloons was won by Anne Gooding from Tegan Bullard and Veronica Dike and Marc Montague won all heats and the final in the Junior Standard Saloons in his last event for the category ahead of Matt Nelson and Cindy-Lee Drewery.

Dean Thompson posted Monday May 18, 2009.

Sunday May 17th at Drouin was an enthralling day of racing with the headline acts the Nos Sprints and the Compact Speedcars putting on a fantastic show to compliment the regular class categories.

The NOS Sprints arrived with 9 staters fresh from their final State series round the night prior at Alexandra. Current State champion Jeff Judd was on hand along with Mark Walsh, Grant Attewell, Troy Small, Gary Bowden, Paul and Scott Drew, Dan Dubois, and Dan Robson.

The first of two heats started with Bowden and Robson at the front of the field and Gippsland driver Bowden held strong for the locals as he recorded an all the way win in front of Walsh, Judd, Attewell, Scott Drew, Paul Drew, Dubois and Robson.

Heat two also dished up a front row all the way winner as Paul Drew took the spoils ahead of Dubois, Walsh, Scott Drew, Judd, Bowden, Robson and Small.

The Nos feature was a cracker with Walsh and Paul Drew on the front row. The start of the race began with 3 cars being taken out. Judd, Dubois and Scott Drew all out of the race. Walsh at the re-start took the lead and set about laying out some scorching laps. First there was 17.55, then 17 seconds, then 16.90 before ending the final lap with a 16.65 and the victory.

Paul Drew placed second with Bowden in third ahead of Attewell and Robson.

Ten Compact Speedcars arrived for their final race meeting of the season for them with Australia # 1 and 2 in the field. Herb Hecker and Brad Day began heat one at the front and it was Hecker who led all the way to win from day, Danny Stainer, Pete Robotham, Ian Jones, Jason Crawford, John Unwin, Chris Serle and Robin Crawford with a 17.53 lap time the best time recorded.

Heat two began with Day and Jason Crawford at the front and the current Australian Champion starting at the back of the pack came through the field during the eight laps and stormed home to victory with Robotham on his tail. Day held third from Serle, Jason Crawford, Hecker, Unwin and Robin Crawford.

The feature race over fifteen laps for the Compact Speedcars began with Hecker and Day at the front of the field and for Hecker his good work came undone quickly when he spun in front of the field out of turn four and was sent rear of the field. Day led all 15 laps with a best lap time of 17.34 seconds to defeat Robotham, Stainer, Jason Crawford, Hecker, Jones and Unwin in the first feature race for compacts in some years at Drouin Speedway.

The support classes on the day all held two heats each car and a feature race with the Ascf Sedan feature being won by Ben Tilendert ahead of Phil Pottage whilst no other drivers officially finished. The best V8 Standard Saloon on the day was Leigh Gooding and although he took overall Standard Saloon honours on the day the 6 cylinder Standard Saloon point’s victory went to Rene Van Der Elst ahead of Ben Phayer and Sam McGill.

Ladies Standard Saloons was won by new Victoria 5 Anne Gooding from Charlene Dike and Tegan Bullard. Junior Standard Saloons victory was taken by Brian Scandrett ahead of Cindy-Lee Drewrey and Travis Evans.

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

• Ramsdale Wreckers
• Moe Grain & Farm
• Victory Lane Racegear
• Drysdale Chaff Mills
• Logue’s Auto Wreckers
• West Gippsland Welding Supplies
• J & J Printing

Dean Thompson posted Tuesday May 12, 2009.

This Sunday 17th of May the Princes Highway from both directions leads you to Drouin Speedway for a big day of family Speedway action with Compact Speedcars and NOS Sprints the headline classes.

The Compact Speedcars haven’t been at Drouin for many years and are looking very much forward to getting out and about on West Gippslands premier sports entertainment venue. Australian and Victorian Champion Danny Stainer will be up against some stiff competition with Peter Robotham, Jason Crawford and Troy Wolley.

Stainer has been on a roll with an amazing few years of form up and down the east coast of Australia winning almost all events he enters however the Victorian Compact Speedcar club has plenty of new and exciting competitors coming through the ranks to challenge him.

NOS Sprints make their first ever appearance at Drouin Speedway with new Victorian Champion Jeff Judd the headline driver in the nominations. Dan Dubois and Dan Robson are hard chargers whilst Gary Bowden and Troy Small are sure to keep the pressure on as all drivers get their first chance on Drouin in the fastest growing open wheel speedway category.

ASCF Sedans will provide fantastic racing with a mixture of Modified Productions and 3 Litre Sedans in the field. Nick Hill, Kenny Griffey, Darren Pottage, Jeff Leahy and Dale Morrison are amongst the challengers.

Each of the three main categories will have good fields and will be supported by Standard Saloons men’s, ladies, juniors and Division 2 Hot Rods.

Competitors need to be in the pits by 10am and racing begins at 11am. Nominations are still being accepted by Mat on 0419321722.

Prices for admission are $40 for a family of 2 adults and two kids between 12-16, $15- for Adult, $10 for Age/Invalid pensioner and kids 12-16yrs old

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

• Ramsdale Wreckers
• Moe Grain & Farm
• Victory Lane Racegear
• Drysdale Chaff Mills
• Logue’s Auto Wreckers
• West Gippsland Welding Supplies
• J & J Printing

Dean Thompson posted Monday April 6, 2009.

Speedway racing occurs on each and every Saturday through the summer and autumn months on many different race tracks. There is the Leeton Speedway in New South Wales 900 metre long speedway with what feels like 5 turns instead of four, there is the up hill and down hill Simpson Speedway and Sunday the 19th of April there once more there will be the Drouin Speedway with Dog Leg in place for the Standard Saloons Moe Grain & Farm ‘Dog Leg Rumble’.

Leigh and Anne Gooding of Moe Grain and Farm are proud to support Standard Saloon racing at Drouin Speedway as some of Gippslands finest drivers are expected to hit the track and see if they can take away first place prize money in this unique event.

Last years winner Leigh Gooding himself will be trying to win again however is expecting stiff competition from locals Bruce Bullard possibly in a brand new VT and Russell Hill in his XF powered by a 351ci engine. It is hoped some of the top drivers around the state make the trek to Drouin with $1000- plus trophies and sashes up for grabs on race day. The race is open to 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder machines who will turn through a front straight dog leg before coming back out on the track to go through turn one.

On the same program scheduled is Ladies and Junior Standard Saloons, Mini Sprint cars, ASCF Sedans, Division 2 Hot Rods and Speedway Dirt Karts.

Competitors need to be in the pits by 10am and racing begins at 11am. Nominations are still being accepted by Mat on 0419321722.

Prices for admission are $40 for a family of 2 adults and two kids between 12-16, $15- for Adult, $10 for Age/Invalid pensioner and kids 12-16yrs old

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

• Ramsdale Wreckers
• Moe Grain & Farm
• Victory Lane Racegear
• Drysdale Chaff Mills
• Logue’s Auto Wreckers
• West Gippsland Welding Supplies
• J & J Printing

Dean Thompson posted Wednesday March 11, 2009.

This Sunday March 15th local drivers come together with drivers from as far as Simpson in Western Victoria to hold a race meeting with the aim of raising funds through participation and crowd attendance that can contribute to repairing what has been damaged or replacing those things that are now lost as a result of the Black Saturday Bushfires.

Drouin Speedway received substantial damage to its property as the fires burnt through some of the spectator viewing area and the competitor pit enclosure aswell as damaging wiring essential to the facilities, some fencing and pipes.

ASCF Sedans will be on show with confirmed nominations including Bryan Galley, Ken Alberni, Dale Morrison and a Nissan Skyline 3 Litre Sedan from Laang Speedway. The question though is who will be driving the Nissan Skyline. Race fans will have to attend the weekend to find out.

Also on the program the Mini Sprintcars will hold their delayed ‘Christmas Cup’ which was abandoned at an earlier rain affected race date with Ryan McKenna and former Speedcar ace Paul Farrell having a crack at winning the Christmas Cup. ASCF Junior Sedans including Australia # 2 and Warragul resident Ty Galley and friend and fellow top of the ladder race driver Mitch Whiting along with little legend Ash Hammond. New drivers such as Luke Galley, Brooke Whiting and Donald Young will also be amongst the entries.

The Standard Saloons for Mens. Ladies and Juniors along with the Speedway Karts will also fill the program for any family looking for something to entertain them on Sunday.

Competitors need to be in the pits by 10am and racing begins at 11am. Nominations are still being accepted by Mat on 0419321722.

Prices for admission are $40 for a family of 2 adults and two kids between 12-16, $15- for Adult, $10 for Age/Invalid pensioner and kids 12-16yrs old.

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

• Ramsdale Wreckers
• Moe Grain & Farm
• Victory Lane Racegear
• Drysdale Chaff Mills
• Logue’s Auto Wreckers
• West Gippsland Welding Supplies
• J & J Printing