Information Courtesy of Daniel Powell
Last Saturday night’s action at Leeton’s Brobenah Raceway resulted in the two major events on the program – Long Track Classic for Super Sedans and the SSA Production Sedans on the card.
In what was the first time in nearly two years since speedway competition took place at the 940-metre Brobenah Raceway track, a large crowd gathered to witness a spectacular night of action.The De Paoli Transport supported Long Track Classic resulted in Victorian visitor Jamie Collins coming out on top in impressive fashion.
After qualifying on pole position for the feature race, Collins, who was visiting the Brobenah Raceway track for the first time, paced the field for the entire 20-lap distance and picked up what was the biggest win of his career in Super Sedans.
Collins scored the $5,000 to win event by defeating Steve Jordan (Qld), current Victorian Champion Mick Nicola Jnr (Vic), current Tasmanian Champion Callum Harper (Tas) and Paul Kranitis (NSW) to the chequered flag.
The Long Track Classic was marred by a spectacular crash during the third heat race, when three-time National Champion Mick Nicola Snr spun off the track in turn one. As a result of spinning off the track, he flipped over multiple times and then heavily collided with the pit wall. After the massive collision, Nicola Snr’s car burst into flames.
Thankfully, the fire was extinguished quickly by the track crew, and, after a lengthy delay, Nicola Snr was removed from his heavily damaged race car. Nicola Snr was in good spirits, despite suffering burns to his legs and arms, as he was transported to the ambulance, where he was transported to a Sydney hospital.
Nicola Snr remains in a stable condition and this morning reached out to the Leeton Motor Sports Club to thank them for all of their efforts on the night and that he will be ok, and he is now hopeful of being transported to a Melbourne-based hospital in the coming days.
Veteran Stephen Laidlaw (Vic) emerged the winner of the NH3 Refrigeration supported Graham Bourke Memorial for Production Sedans in impressive fashion. After qualifying on pole position for the feature race, Laidlaw scored an impressive victory by leading the entire 15-lap distance.
Following Laidlaw to the chequered flag was Johnny Ralph in what was a career-best drive, while third place on the podium was filled by ACT-based racer Liam Heaton. Just outside the podium finishers was Craig McAlister in fourth and current ACT Champion Wes Barnes in fifth.
The top-10 finishers were completed by Scott Hawkins, Wayne Bourke, Brett Norman, Sean Alessi and Queenslander Jim Cowley.
Official Results
2021 LONG TRACK CLASSIC FOR SSA SUPER SEDANS A MAIN, TWENTY LAPS- 1. V34 Jamie Collins, 2. Q7 Steve Jordan, 3. V1 Mick Nicola Jr, 4. T1 Callum Harper, N57 Paul Kranitis, 6. N56 Kurt Kranitis (19), DNF N65 Paul Tindal (13), DNS V0 Lucas Roberts, V3 Mick Nicola Sr
SSA PRODUCTION SEDAN A MAIN, FIFTEEN LAPS- 1. BD30 Stephen Laidliaw, 2. M49 Johnny Ralph, 3. N89 Liam Heaton, 4. ACT32 Craig McAlister, 5. ACT1 Wes Barnes, 6. L5 Scott Hawkins, 7. L27 Wayne Bourke, 8. WSC45 Brett Norman, 9. ACT37 Sean Alessi, 10. SC61 Jim Cowley, 11. WSC16 Alex Cheney, DNF L56 Justin Hawkins (12), L33 Toby Whyte (7)