A healthy and enthusiastic crowd settled in to enjoy the first speedway event of the season at Wahgunyah recreational reserve where the annual Colin Young Memorial round for the Goulburn Ovens Sedans Association headlined the evening along with all club classes. On Innovation Steel, Frames and Truss race night winners on the night were Robert Williams in the Memorial, Kenneth Mankey in Sports Sedans, Jacob Gordon in Top Stars Juniors, Clay Paull in New Stars Juniors, Jacob Head in Standard Saloons, Corey McDonald in Unlimited Sedans, and Nick Hill in Production Sedans.
In the Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association competition, Brandan Lovell made quick work of hitting the front in the first heat taking the lead on lap two of eight, he defeated Robert Williams in his new race car in a close battle, Williams set the nights fastest one lap time for the night of the class of 24.235. Williams then won heat two leading all the way in heat two. Victorian champion Nathan Shortis was back in third spot. Ryan Chant took the lead on lap two in heat three and finished with Stuart Balins stuck to his back bumper almost as they crossed the line. Luke Collis went green to chequered in the final heat of the night to hold out Lovell for the final victory before the feature race.
Fifteen laps awaited the race drivers in the first-round final of the Colin Young Memorial with the second and final round this year at Rushworth Speedway. Williams, Lovell, Chant, Collis, Shane Barkley and Balins slotted into the six top starting positions. Williams assumed race control from the start. Lovell followed in second with Collis and Barkley in tow. Lovell, Collis and Barkley swapped places between them, at lap ten Barkley moved to second. At the chequers, Williams picked up his first win by a massive near ten seconds. Just a master class behind the wheel. Barkley followed then Collis, Lovell, and Balins.
Wodonga businessman Corey McDonald won two of the three heats races in the Unlimited Sedans with clubmate Peter Cox the other. McDonald’s first heat single lap time of 21.432 would prove to be the fastest for the class during the night before McDonald won the final from Cox and Brody McCarten.
Kenneth Mankey also won two of three heat races in the Sports Sedans with Marcus Griffith the other. Mankey’s best one lap time was 24.339 in the second heat race. Mankey won the final from Griffith, Matt Magor, Sarah Meakins, and Trevor Evans from Yarrawonga.
In Junior Sedan competition Jacob Gordon and Lucas Williams competed as Top Star Juniors whilst eight others competed as New Star Juniors. In the New Stars Clay Paull would consistently set fast laps through the evening with 26.910 in heat three being his fastest, whilst Jacob Gordon in the final set a 26.888 overall fastest lap for Top Stars.
Paull won two of the three heats for New Stars with Amelia Henskens the other. Gordon won all three heat race classifications for Top Stars. Gordon led the race overall until lap six which is where Paull hit the front for the last six laps. Paull ahead at the finish by almost a second. Second in the New Star category was Ollie Roycroft, then Amelia Henskens, Laci Mitchell, and Lucas Magor. Gordon beat Williams in the Top Stars.
Production Sedans had a small field of entrants. Nick Hill won two of the three heat races with Brayden Creek the other. Hill’s best one lap time was 24.958 and was fastest for the class for the meeting. Hill was able to win the final by over seven second from rookie Jack Loughman.
Visiting Ballarat man Jacob Head won two of three qualifier sin the Standard Saloon class with Micheal Fleming-Robertson the other. In the feature event Head recorded a fast time of 26.015 on his way to defeating Brendon Eames, Harley Mathews and Russell Stone.
Wahgunyah Speedway will return on 27th of December for its annual festive season show with Production Sedans, Ladies Sports Sedans, and Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association featuring in major events.
Corowa – Rutherglen Speedway Club thanks the following supporters for assisting our not for profit sporting club provide entertainment.
Willett Transport Corowa
Hourigans Quality Meats
Max Maclean
Club Corowa
Maverick Marine
Q.A Kitchens
Quantum Printing
Crowies Paints
Blue Shed Self Storage
Wahgunyah Liquor and Grocery
Abacus Energy
Upton Engineering
Hi Tec Oils Albury
Federation Steel
Edge FM
Rod Stones Automotive Rutherglen
Ducks Race Shop
Brocks Welding
Stevo’s Painting
Corowa Furnishing and Floors.
Aricks Corowa
Hume Bank Albury
Border Bearings
Rapid Hydraulics and Performance Wodonga
Written by
Dean Thompson
Dean Thompson Media
For Corowa – Rutherglen Speedway Club