Press Release by WA Modified Sedans.
Luke Fraser has tonight claimed his fifth round of the 2022/2023 Batchelor Industries WA Modified Sedan Series in very cool conditions at Pithara Speedway.
With the support of KCM Transport, this was the first time that Modified Sedans have raced at Pithara Speedway for a round of the WA Modified Sedan Series and the racing did not disappoint.
The opening heat of the night saw some top class racing between Branden Fraser and Jamie Higgs, with the duo swapping positions for the lead numerous times. Fraser would end up getting the upper hand from Higgs and Carnarvon’s Glenn Harper who would finish third.
Heat two would see Luke Fraser make the most of a pole position start, before the racing would be stopped with Allan Mortimer losing a right front wheel.
Luke Fraser would not be headed from the restart, as Michael Ricetti settled into second ahead of Jason Batchelor.
The third heat of the night would be a race between two Bunbury racers, Allan Mortimer and Adam Houston.
Houston would pester at the back bumper of Allan Mortimer for multiple laps before eventually finding a way past in turn one.
Mortimer would look to dart back underneath but to no avail. Houston would score the heat win over Allan Mortimer and Luke Fraser.
The fourth heat would see a former state champion Shane Brittain score the win as he held off another former state champion Branden Fraser, who quickly worked his way through the field.
Sam McAuley would finish third ahead of rookie driver Jarrad Fisher.
Six cars would face the starter in heat five, though it was Luke Fraser who would not be headed, defeating Shane Brittain and Sam McAuley.
Branden Fraser would finish a gallant fourth after challenging McAuley for the duration of the race.
The final qualifying heat of the night would be a race of attrition with a couple of stoppages for cars who suffered front right suspension failures including Mitch Killeen and Jarrad Fisher.
Shark Bay’s Michael Ricetti would claim the win after the race was declared with Allan Mortimer second and Glenn Harper third.
The shootout would see a duel between Luke Fraser and Branden Fraser for pole position, though despite every effort Branden would have to settle for second, as Luke Fraser claimed his fourth shootout win of the year and yet another pole position start for the twenty lap feature.
With Luke and Branden Fraser off the front row for the twenty lap final, the brothers resumed hostilities quickly, racing side by side for the first handful of laps.
Shane Brittain and Allan Mortimer soon started to battle for third and fourth, as Mortimer soon got past Brittain for third.
Sam McAuley, who started the final from position seven quickly worked his way into the three way battle for third along with Mortimer and Brittain. Shane Brittain soon ran wide, which elevated Sam McAuley to fourth.
The yellow lights would soon come on as Glenn Harper suffered steering damage which ended his night, leaving him on the infield alongside Adam Houston. Mitch Killeen would soon join the duo on the infield with mechanical woes ending his series debut.
Luke Fraser would lead away from the restart and soon started to open the lead between himself and brother, Branden.
Jason Batchelor was the driver to watch, as he started to charge through the field, passing Jamie Higgs and Kim Jolly. Shane Brittain’s race would soon be over, as he suffered front left suspension damage.
Luke Fraser would not be headed and claimed his fifth win of the series, defeating Branden Fraser, Allan Mortimer, Sam McAuley and Michael Ricetti who rounded out the top five. Jason Batchelor, Jamie Higgs and Kim Jolly would round out the finishers.
The WA Modified Drivers Association would like to thank Kim and Caroline Malcolm from KCM Transport for their support of this round of the series, along with Phil and Jo from Pithara Speedway for supporting our division.
Attention will now turn to the WA Modified Drivers Association AGM and Trophy Night on Saturday, June 17th 2023 with more details to be released shortly.
2022/2023 Batchelor Industries WA Modified Sedan Series sponsors:
Batchelor Industries
RPM Race Products
Totally Independent Tyre Service and Mechanical
Southern Stump and Mulching Services
Civil Hirings
Stevens Ceilings
Kachana Beef
KCM Transport
Speedway Sedans Western Australia
Speedway Sedans Australia Turn 2 Funding
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