Pascoe Leads After Opening Night

by | Mar 2, 2018 | Latest News

Author : Jason Crowe – SSA Media

Two times National Champion, Matt Pascoe is the over-night leader in the 47th running of the Speedway Sedans Australia, National Super Sedan Title at Valvoline Raceway, Parramatta.

Pascoe won two of his three heat races, to be five points clear of another former winner, Callum Harper, while South Australian Dave Gartner is currently third.

The night didn�t start well for Queenslands Ian Brims, who blew the engine in Hot Laps, ending his Title before it started.

Heat one would see Darren Anning retire after his car had smoke billowing out the back end, and he was soon joined by Mick Nicola who suffered a flat front right tyre. Dave Gartner meanwhile, would drive from the back of the field to claim victory, accounting for Anthony Randall and Lachlan Onley.

The second heat would see several stoppages as drivers got off to a nervous start. Shayne Lau and Jack Childs would get stuck together in turn four, and after a lengthy delay, Lau would head back to the pits. Corey Smith was ultra-impressive coming from the back of the field to take the win, accounting for Andrew White and Ryan Alexander.

A three car crash started heat three, with Steve Latham, Darren Kane and Brad Wicks involved in a crash in turn four on the opening lap, with Latham and Kane unable to continue. Callum Harper was untroubled and quick in defeating West Australias Phil Barton and David MacKenzie from Victoria, who were the best part of half a lap behind.

Matt Pascoe would win heat four after starting from position seven. After a good battle with Steve Jordan, Pascoe opened a handy lead late to defeat Jordan and Wayne Randall who made his way from the back of the field to finish third.

Ryan Alexander had a comfortable win in heat five, but it would be the battle for second which would be one of the night one highlights. Lachlan Onley, Mick Nicola, Ash Bergmeier and Matt Williams used all of the race track, running two and three wide for numerous laps, which was well appreciated by the handy crowd on hand.

Matt Pascoe again won from position seven in heat six, moving to the lead early, and opening a huge lead. The lead was negated by a stoppage when Jack Childs and Shayne Lau made contact in the back straight, with Childs spinning. Lau would be relegated to the rear of the field. Pascoe again opened a gap on the field in the concluding stages to down Gavin Northfield and Dale Christensen.

Heat seven would see Dave Gartner sent to the rear of the field after contact with Kyall Fisher on lap seven. Meanwhile, Callum Harper had made his way to the front after starting from position eight. Steve Jordan and Brad Wicks would finish second and third, while Gartner stormed back through the field to finish fourth.

After winning earlier in the night Corey Smith would spin on the back straight in heat eight, sending the Tasmanian to the rear of the field. Darren Kane cruised to a comfortable win, gaining valuable points after his earlier crash, while Sean Black and Wayne Randall would fill second and third place.

Sean Black would lead all the way in winning heat nine, the first race to go flag to flag. Mick Nicola Jnr closed quickly in the final laps to narrowly fall short, with Wayne Randall again finishing in the top three.

A series of stoppages commenced heat ten, before a brilliant race between Dale Christensen, Dave Gartner and Brad Wicks, with three drivers using multiple racing lines. Matt Williams would join the battle, as Gartner took the win narrowly from Williams and Wicks.

Heat eleven would feature four National Champions in the same race, and at one point the quartet would fill the first four places, as Steve Jordan led early, to then be challenged by Darren Kane and Matt Pascoe. Pascoe would take the lead, as he and Kane put on a classic battle. It would come down to the last lap with Pascoe committed to the bottom, getting stuck behind Jack Childs, as Kane drove around the top to claim maximum points. Callum Harper would finish third.

The final heat of the night would see Lachlan Onley have a good battle with Mick Nicola and Corey Smith early before opening a handy lead in the final stages. Corey Smith would hold on for second, while Gavin Northfield would finish third, in just the second race to go flag to flag for the night.

Pascoe is in the box seat to start on pole in Saturday nights forty lap main event, with the two time National Champion starting on pole position in heat fourteen.

Racing commences at 5.00pm EDST on Saturday.

POINTS NIGHT ONE
1 Q15 Matt Pascoe 100
2 T22 Callum Harper 95
3 S8 Dave Gartner 89
4 N17 Lachlan Onley 87
5 Q26 Sean Black 81
6 Q36 Darren Kane 78
7 Q10 Steve Jordan 73
8 S47 Ryan Alexander 72
9 T16 Corey Smith 72
10 Q6 Wayne Randall 69
11 Q15x Gavin Northfield 68
12 V17 Brad Wicks 56
13 W36 Phil Barton 55
14 V3 Mick Nicola 50
15 V24 David Mackenzie 50
16 Q3 Matt Williams 49
17 V23 Mick Nicola Jnr 49
18 Q22 Dale Christensen 49
19 N23 Andrew White 48
20 V16 Ash Bergmeier 42
21 N57 Paul Kranitis 40
22 V5 Anthony Randall 39
23 Q4 Leigh Williams 39
24 Q32 Kyall Fisher 35
25 Q39 Bob McCosker 34
26 N33 Barry Towers 30
27 N7 Wayne Dick 27
28 Q7 Grant Shaw 24
29 T8 Steve Latham 22
30 Q71 Shayne Lau 21
31 Q24 Jack Childs 18
32 N14 Mark Towers 12
33 N21 Darren Anning 8
34 Q47 Barry Craft 0

Picture courtesy of Angryman Photography

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