THE final night at Sonic Speedway for 2022 was undoubtedly fired up with carnage, close racing – and more carnage!
Heaps of entertainment was provided to the large crowd.
Maurice “Oggie” Ahearn dominated the heats of the Street Stocks Mallee Masters with two wins and a second in his three heats, although Shane Roycroft (a win and a second) and Jason Duell (two third placings) were pushing him all the way.
After some very close racing, with a few cars even touching each other or hitting the wall, Ahearn greeted the chequered flag first ahead of Roycroft and Duell.
Hayden and Lockhlan Glare’s trip to Queensland (where they both made the finals), along with altercations with the wall, took a toll on their cars.
Unfortunately, it meant Lockhlan’s car couldn’t front for the final.
Hayden got up to fifth before losing a panel, which sent him to the rear of the field, but thanks to some clever driving, he managed to finish fifth just behind Stefan Clark.
The Sports Sedans looked like being a two-car battle between Scott Bull, who won the first two heats, and Jai Nicolaison, winning the next two heats.
However, the girls were determined not to let the boys have it their own way, with Kasey Ferguson recording a second and two third placings and Katie Meyer a third and second.
After touching the wall, each other and mechanical problems, only half the original starters fronted for the final, including Bull.
Nicolaison got out in front and managed to stay out of trouble to win the final, with the consistent Ferguson finishing second ahead of Dennis Reed and Paul Blake.
It was more like a demolition derby in the Production Sedans, with many drivers contacting each other and the wall – one driver was disqualified after a pile-up on turn four – so much so that only six cars could start the final.
Jacob Mills avoided most of the trouble after the first heat to win the next heat and, with a second place in the following, appeared to be the man to beat.
Paul Salau had a second before a major bingle put him, and first-heat winner Trevor Mills, out for the night.
Jacob managed to avoid the carnage to win the final ahead of Scott Hawkins, Toby Carmichael, Dean Hughes and Katelyn Eltze.
Compact Speedcars returned to the track and had a relatively clean night of close racing, with only a couple of cars unable to start in the final.
Michael Conway (third, second, first), Tania Hallet (first, sixth, second), Trevor Perry (second, fifth, third) and Daniel James (fifth, first, fourth) dominated their heats, leaving the podium up for grabs.
After a fast, close final, Conway triumphed ahead of Salau and Hallet.
Local Lachlan Bull started well with two wins and a second in juniors.
Connor Claridge also had a win, and Levi Blake achieved two thirds and a second, while Anthony Hudson recorded a second and third.
In the final, Claridge edged out Lachlan ahead of Mia Lamb and Blake ahead of Ty Claridge and Emily Hooten.
The Standard Saloons performed well, with seven cars starting in the first heat, with six of them finishing the final.
After a poor start in heat one, Trevor Evans won his next two heats, while Aaron Meakins had a win and two seconds.
Josh Campbell and Trevor Crilly finally got their cars running properly.
Lachie Chivers had three heat placings, while Aaron Chivers and Lizzi Huckel were getting quicker with each heat.
In an open final, it was Evans who added another trophy to his cabinet ahead of both Chivers and Campbell.
Overall, it was a very entertaining night with plenty of action.
Well done to all drivers and good luck to everyone who is straightening panels or fixing mechanical problems.
Our crash crew on the infield are taking a well-earned rest before our next meeting on Saturday, February 4, featuring the 2023 Super Sedan Title, Open Ladies and support classes.
