The Super Rods have had a very busy January and the class has produced some very entertaining racing. Our rookies are coming along very well and should all be congratulated and encouraged for their continued improvement.

The Victorian Title will be held on Saturday 13th of February at Portland’s Southern 500 Speedway, it would be great to have the driver’s supporter’s travel to the venue to cheer them on. Along with the time honoured Trevor Podger Memorial on Saturday 20th of February at Simpson Speedway where drivers will compete against the SDAV Hotrod Division.

Avalon Raceway, 2nd January

Heat 1: 1st Darryl Nelson, 2nd Geoff Leigh and 3rd Howard Stansfield

Heat 2: 1st Adrian Rieck, 2nd Geoff Leigh and 3rd Clinten Scott

A pole shuffle provided ample entertainment as two drivers at a time took to the track, It was Nelson who was the last man standing as he charged home ahead of Geoff Leigh.

The grid for the final saw the front row made up of Damien Falkingham, Paul Singleton, followed by Wayne Williams, Jemma Gale, Scott, Stansfield, Nelson, Rieck, Leigh, Amy Duynhoven, Cameron Hardwick, Corey Deglaitis and Shaun Toulmin. Singleton made the best of the start however after a contact with traffic saw Gale spin in the first corner brought the racing to a halt; Rieck was able to narrowly avoid damage; however Duynhoven collided heavily with the wall.

At the restart it was again Singleton to the front, Gale moved her way forward to the lead in the third lap, only to have Leigh seize it in the following lap, Gale continued in second place until lap seven when Nelson was able to account for the youngster. With Leigh and Nelson out in front the battle between Gale and Williams was the one to watch, the continuous pressure from Williams did not unnerve Gale, Scott was also on the charge and was able to pass both Gale and Williams but as they approached lapped cars Gale was best able to manoeuvre through the crowded track to regain third position and continued onto claim her first podium placing. Scott was an unfortunate casualty of the night as he clipped the wall and rolled his car with the chequer in sight. Leigh home first ahead of Nelson and Gale third.

Premier Speedway, 10th January

Heat 1: 1st Dean Greenham (SDAV), 2nd Darryl Nelson and 3rd Matt Clark

Heat 2: 1st John Vogels, 2nd Grant Stansfield and 3rd Geoff Leigh

Heat 3: 1st Matt Clark, 2nd Dean Greenham (SDAV) and third Shaun Toulmin

Heat 4: 1st Geoff Leigh, 2nd John Vogels and 3rd Grant Stansfield

Heat 5: 1st Howard Stansfield, 2nd Paul Delaney and 3rd Wayne Williams

Heat 6: 1st Geoff Leigh, 2nd Clinten Scott and 3rd Grant Stansfield.

The line up for the final saw high point scorer Geoff Leigh out of position one with Grant Stansfield on his outside, behind this came Greenham, Clark, Vogels, Scott, Delaney, Howard Stansfield, Toulmin, Williams, Jemma Gale, Damien Falkingham, Tom Duynhoven, Cameron Hardwick and Paul Singleton. At the start Leigh jumped to the lead followed by Grant Stansfield and Greenham, on the fourth lap Greenham was able to make his way past Grant Stansfield and move up into second position. At this stage Vogels was on a charge on the highline however he clipped the wheel of Clark as he was passing and launched spectacularly rolling along the top of the concrete wall ending his night.

From the restart Leigh once again made the jump from the pack, before a successful move in lap 10 by Greenham saw him elevated to the lead, however the following lap Leigh fought back to once again lead the field. With three laps to go a spin at the rear of the pack saw the field once again bunched for a three lap dash to the flag. Leigh was able to show a clean pair of heels to the marauding pack and went on to win from Greenham, with Clark moving up to third followed by Scott, and in an almost photo finish for fifth place the lap scorers awarded the position to Delaney ahead of Toulmin, followed by Williams, Grant Stansfield who faded in the last few laps, Falkingham, Singleton, Duynhoven and Gale.

Premier Speedway, 24th January

Heat 1: 1st Shaun Toulmin, 2nd Jason Grayland and 3rd Geoff Leigh

Heat 2: 1st Geoff Leigh, 2nd Howard Stansfield and 3rd Matt Clark

With the highest points-scorers starting from the front it was Leigh and Toulmin making up the first row, followed by Stansfield, Nelson, Grayland, Clark, Wayne Williams, Paul Delaney, Dale Walsh, Jemma Gale, Paul Singleton, Amy Duynhoven and Damien Falkingham making up the field. From the green Toulmin who was able to seize the lead, with Leigh and Stansfield in pursuit, in lap two Stansfield was able to move into second ahead of Leigh, Toulmin continued in the lead until the sixth lap when the car of Singleton spun leaving Williams with nowhere to go and collided with the stricken car bringing the race to a halt, at this time the car of Williams broke into flames however was quickly brought under control by the crash crew.

At the restart Toulmin once again out in front, with Leigh and Nelson hot on his heels, they continued in this way until the twelfth lap when Grayland was able to work his way past Nelson and into third. After many attempts to catch the leader in Toulmin, a persistent Leigh threw everything he could at the youngster however was unable to make his way past. With just two laps remaining the leaders approached lapped traffic, it was Leigh who was able to weave his way past and into the lead and held on to greet the checker first, with Toulmin second, Grayland was able to narrowly secure third as a last ditch move by Gale saw her home in fourth, ahead of Stansfield, Delaney, Nelson, Walsh, Falkingham and Duynhoven.

Laang Speedway, 30th January

Heat 1a: 1st Av17 Geoff Leigh, 2nd L69 Dale Walsh and 3rd W8 Cameron Hardwick

Heat 1b: 1st Rdl73 Shaun Toulmin, 2nd L21 Jason Grayland and 3rd W44 Jemma Gale

Heat 2a: 1st Av17 Geoff Leigh, 2nd L69 Dale Walsh and 3rd W8 Cameron Hardwick

Heat 2b: 1st L21 Jason Grayland, 2nd Rdl73 Shaun Toulmin and 3rd W95 Tom Duynhoven

Heat 3a: 1st L69 Dale Walsh, 2nd Av17 Geoff Leigh and 3rd W47 Matt Clark

Heat 3b: 1st L21 Jason Grayland, 2nd Rdl73 Shaun Toulmin and 3rd W44 Jemma Gale

Final: 1st Av17 Geoff Leigh, 2nd W47 Matt Clark and 3rd L21 Jason Grayland

Dates to Remember:

Saturday 13th February – Victorian Super Rod Title - Portland

Saturday 20th February – Trevor Podger Memorial - Simpson

Saturday 27th February – Racing – Redline Speedway (Ballarat)

Friday 26th February - Committee Meeting, Colac

Drivers are reminded to have their Nominations in to Sarah by 9pm the Monday before Racing.

DRIVERS PROFILES:

Drivers Name: Damien Falkingham

Driver Number: 15

Club Prefix: Warrnambool

Sponsors: Podger’s Auto Wreckers
Geelong Colourworld
Torque-power

Chassis: M & J Chassis

Body Shape: Barina

Engine: 355 Holden

Car Colours: Blue and Silver

Favourite Food: Steak

Favourite Drink: Bourbon

Lives: St Albans Park

Age: 28

Occupation: Engineering Assistant

Star Sign: Scorpio



Drivers Name: Cameron Hardwick

Driver Number: 8

Club Prefix: Warrnambool

Sponsor: Colac 3D
Lucas Oils
Tyrer Engineering
Mannahview Clinic

Chassis: M & J Chassis

Body Shape: Niki

Engine: 307 Ford

Car Colours: Green and Brown

Favourite Food: Parma

Favourite Drink: Coke

Favourite Movie: Transformers

Lives: Warrnambool

Age: 17

Occupation: Student

Star Sign: Libra