By David Daly
JACOB Pitcher has the VIC 1 adorning his car after claiming the Victorian State Title for Super Rods at Sonic Speedway last weekend.
Large fields kept the big crowd entertained over two nights, with 23 entries for the Super Roads competing over six heats.
Among the key drivers were Jason Kavanagh, Stan Marco Snr., Bob Wilson, Pitcher, Troy Gleeson, Dane Court, Michael Coad, Shaun Walsh, Clinton Scott and the previous VIC 1 holder Neville Gange.
Nineteen cars then took to the start line for the final, with Pitcher managing to outlast the field across the 25 laps, with Neville Gange finishing in second and Clinton Scott third.
Six heats narrowed down the Sports Sedans, with drivers to watch in the final being Jack Brennan, Zac Swanson, Jason Berger, Tristan McGraw, Scott Angus, Jay Sanders and Marcus Reddecliffe. But the final was eventually won by Marcus Reddecliffe, with Tristan McGraw and Jack Brennan filling the placings.
Juniors took to the field with 10 up-and-coming drivers in the speedway fraternity, with Jacob Tinworth, Harry Cecil and Anthony Hanson the ones to beat all night in the heats. It was good to see Rebecca Johnstone and Blake Adams racing against these faster cars and both are gaining plenty of experience, which will hold them in good stead for next season. The final saw Anthony Hanson take the chequered flag, followed closely by Harry Cecil and Jacob Tinworth in third.
Standard Saloons had a very large field with many visiting drivers up against the locals. Trevor Evans set the standard and was pushed all night by Daniel Stewart, Shane Steward and VIC 2 Rhys Lansdown, but was too good for the rest of the field and took out the final.
Sunday night saw everyone back at the track for night two, which saw the Super Rods racing for points again as well as the Pioneer Cup for our local class VSC Formula 500’s.
The Standards had all the same drivers appear for the second night, with Trevor Evans on the money only to have a major clutch problem and miss the final, with Daniel Stewart leading Rhys Lansdown and Shane Stewart to the chequered flag.
The Sport Sedans had a few extra drivers appear on Sunday, with very close racing ensuing. Lachlan Fitzpatrick came home first, with Tristan McGraw second and Marcus Reddecliffe third – while the best local driver Zoey Salau could do on the night was fourth, after her dad Paul’s third place finish the night prior.
The Juniors had the same field for the second night running, however with a different top three – with Harry Cecil finishing first, Jacob Tinworth second and Owen Cecil rounding out the podium.
The Super Rods took to the field with a few less cars than the night before, only to have Stan Marco Snr roll his car in the same spot as Saturday night and was unable to continue. Troy Gleeson was first home, with Dane Court in second and new VIC 1 Jacob Pitcher third.
The final event was the Pioneer Cup, which had started with seven Formulas in the first heat. The final saw Jess Bedggood return after getting her car repaired and take out the Pioneer Cup, followed by Nathan Caddy I second, with Tom Nietvelt third.
The season has now come to a close, with racing set to recommence on Saturday, November 19.
