Twelve racers made it to the pit enclosure for the first round of the brand-new Division 2 Hot Rod series put together by the racers for the racers, something that had been missing for a couple of seasons, enthusiasm was strong amongst those that had made the trip to round one with six rounds in Gippsland and one outside in the area over in Darlington on the way to Mortlake.
Current Victorian champion Beau Stuchbery (Stuchbery Cabinets) and the title runner up Josh Thomas were in the field, plus former champion Jordan Haley, and regular hot shots of the field such as Keven Stoopman, Trent Wilson, and Troy Wilson.
Also in the field were the Stuchbery Racing team led by Kate Stuchbery (Caring 4U Support Services), her number one driver already mentioned Beau, plus Kyson Liversidge, Peter Davies, and Troy Cormack. Whilst Trent Wilson Racing had Chris Greaves (Riviera Trailers) and Shannon Overton also lining up.
Keven Stoopman from Sale and a former Bathurst circuit class winner in the six-hour event completed victory in heat first race of the series in which he looked very strong. Results in heat race number one, Stoopman, Chris Greaves, Josh Thomas (Rosedale Panels), Troy Cormack, Peter Davies, and Kyson Liversidge (Caring 4U Support Services).
Victorian Champion Beau Stuchbery and Trent Wilson then had a terrific battle in heat two where after the finish broth drivers were spoken to by the Steward. Beau Stuchbery the winner, Trent Wilson, Troy Wilson (MJH Automotive), Kate Stuchbery, and Shannon Overton, whilst Jordan Haley’s car sat idle with its electrical gremlins.
Stoopman then outgunned Troy Wilson (no relation to Trent) in heat three with Victorian title runner up Josh Thomas in third, and Overton (Visual Signage Solutions) the final place, with Liversidge and Haley non-finishers infield. Haley who again had electrical issues.
Trent Wilson and Beau Stuchbery reversed their first-round results in the fourth heat of the night, and Wilson greeted the chequered flag first. Wilson over Beau Stuchbery, Greaves, Cormack Kate Stuchbery and Davies (Ducks Race Shop), all starters finishing.
Into the final round of racing former Victorian title champion Jordan Haley (Molinari Race Engines) who had been suffering mechanical and tyre issues to this point, was awarded the win after Thomas was dished a two-spot penalty for a race restart infringement. By way of the penalty to Thomas who crossed the finish line first, Haley took the points with Liversidge, Thomas and Davies with Cormack a non-starter. Greaves unable to finish with rubber from a shredding left rear on Haley’s car hitting his kill switch turning off his car during the race.
Trent Wilson then went up against Stoopman (Triple One Auto) for the first time of the evening in the final heat and Wilson had to use all his race craft to head off Stoopman and Troy Wilson for the final qualifying points on offer. Wrapping up the placings, Trent Wilson, Stoopman who had not put spanner to car all night hummed along in second, then came Troy Wilson, and Kate Stuchbery.
In the feature event a great start to the race by Stoopman and Wilson with turn two proving pivotal in who took control of the race. Bairnsdale’s turn two will either see a car close and tight to the pole line or out wide with space for an inside pass for those behind depending on how the racers get through turn one. Wilson used turn two to his advantage and took off down the back straight with Stoopman in tow. Troy Wison, Chris Greaves, Beau Stuchbery and Jordan Haley were amongst the pack close behind.
Spots between Troy Wilson, Stuchbery, Haley and Greaves swapped on occasions, whilst Trent Wilson and Stoopman controlled the race. Eventually Stuchbery closed in on the Stoopman/Wilson battle and Haley made his way forward from the Troy Wilson/Greaves battle he was in.
In trying circumstances with what was found to be a waterlogged timing loop the next morning, track officials completed the night using manual lap scoring, with one volunteer official and pen and paper and the white flag was held out twice. During the second holding of the white flag Stuchbery started to slow down on what had become the chequered flag lap.
Whilst the occurrence was unfortunate, drivers are always encouraged to race through until the green lights are turned amber and you have crossed the finish line. Trent Wilson (Henery Automotive Truck & Marine) finished with the win, Stoopman second, Haley third, Troy Wilson fourth, and then Stuchbery in fifth. Rounding out the rest of the finishers Greaves, Overton, and Cormack (Pete Cormack Automotive) and Kate Stuchbery with a flat tyre and mechanical coughs and splutters.
After the race victory, Wilson thanked all the competitors for helping each other through the night and the lead up, his crew and supporters, the Bairnsdale officials and volunteers, and the series supporters.
Division 2 Hot Rods thank
Trent Wilson Racing Fabrications and Suspension
Visual Signage Solutions
Dean Thompson Media
Michael Eade Photography & Magnets
Written by
Dean Thompson
Dean Thompson Media
For Division 2 Hot Rod Series