Author : Jason Crowe – SSA Media
Reigning joint VMPA Tritech Lubricants Series champion Kye Walters drove his way to a stellar series start on Saturday night at Hamiltons Western Speedway.
The Torquay based driver lead from the drop of the green flag in a cleanly contested final, only ever being challenged by Hamiltons own Brock Atkins.
Atkins, with one heat win and Walters, with two, were standout drivers for the night.
Andrew Blackwell in his VF Commodore, Bannockburns Matt Gerlach, Milduras Neil Watson, last years joint series winner Nick Cockrill, Russell Felsovary piloting his BA Falcon and Zac Swanson in his return to the Modifieds class also all recorded heat wins.
Jake Drewett, of Mildura, provided race fans with plenty of entertainment after a spectacular crash in the opening round of heats. A control arm broke in his EA Falcon in turns 3 and 4 which saw Drewett hang on for one wild ride as his car went over numerous times before coming to rest on its wheels and catching alight.
Thankfully Drewett walked away relatively unscathed, but with one very sad looking race car.
Drewett suspected damage had been sustained earlier in the heat and knew he was in trouble coming down the back straight.
“It just felt a bit funny in the right hand front,” Drewett said, before adding the car just “bit in” and he had no option but to go along for the ride.
“It’s hard luck. I’m disappointed for all the boys who helped out.”
Speedway Sedans tech officials have deemed Drewett’s car a write-off, so it’ll be a complete rebuild once the car makes its return to Mildura.
There was plenty of action also in the Blackwells Race Engines Pole Shuffle which kicked off with a bang, literally, as the first two cars out, Matt Gerlach and Zac Swanson came together. Both cars were heavily damaged and unfortunately Swanson was not able to turn his car around in time to take part in the main event.
Andrew Blackwell also succumbed to driveshaft failure which would result in him failing to move forward in the shootout, however his team were able to rectify the issue before the final.
Showing why he is again considered the one to catch, Walters took out the pole shuffle.
In the final Walters opened up a commanding lead before lap traffic came into play. This allowed Atkins to wheel him in and the two youngsters had a great battle before the first yellow on lap 22.
This was due to Graham West in his LJ Torana coming to a halt in turn two after hearing a noise which he thought was an engine issue, but turned out to be a problem with a tyre.
Four laps later the lights were yellow again for Rachel Pratt who pulled up on the main straight after coming together with Watson who was trying to get off the track.
This allowed Atkins to call infield to get his car checked over with officials being able to identify a broken left rear shock.
He powered on with an ill handling Falcon but managed to hold on to second behind a dominant display from Walters.
Blackwell finished in third in his return to the series in front of Felsovary and Cockerill respectively.
Speaking after his win, a jubilant Walters said it was really good to pick up the first round win.
“The car was really good all night,” Walters said.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the title defence.
“I am super pumped for the rest of the year now.”
Walters will be once again one to watch when the VMPA Tritech Lubricants series heads to Milduras Maxi Moves Timmis Speedway on Saturday 6 January 2018 for round two.
“Mildura will be a tough round” Waters predicted.
“All the local girls and guys are super fast.”
Walters will unveil his new car at Mildura, which says will be a “challenge in itself”.
“The Timmis Speedway is always ultra fast” Walters said.
“It will be good having the (Murray) Magic the week before to get some feedback and some research and development done on the car.
“I can not wait to head up there.”
The VMPA would like to thank their sponsors:
Tritech Lubricants
Blackwell Race Engines
Atkins Autoworks
Bass Highway Waste
DNMedia
Elite Shock Services
Higgs Contracting
Highline Racewear
Hush Designs
Pakenham Plumbing Services
Pickos Photos
True Design Homes
*Courtesy of DNMedia
Kye Walters in full flight. Photo courtesy of Inaction Photos