Victorian Production Sedan Champion Beau Riley has again hit the road and made the journey worthwhile as he won his career first Far Western Championships yesterday at the Shark Bay Speedway.
Riley was able to defeat a crack field of drivers in what was a great days racing after starting on pole position courtesy of his two wins and a third place in his three heat races.Riley and defending (and six time) Far Westerns Champion Barry Rose would share the front row, with Riley getting the jump as Rose came under immense pressure from Ashley Baker and Hayden Norman.
It was a frantic first few laps as cars fought tooth and nail for every inch of space they could find, the yellows ultimately coming on with four laps complete as Benny Curtin and Hamish Macalpine stopped in turn one.
Macalpine was unable to restart while Curtin was sent to the rear after starting in position four.As the field accelerated to restart, Rose, who was in position two, was unable to take off and headed infield, the field incredibly lucky to avoid him.The restart was called back and a second attempt got underway, this time without Rose, and Riley took off with Baker in hot pursuit.
The two cars fought hard, Baker desperate to find a way through, when all of a sudden it became a four way battle, with Hayden Norman and Rod Musarra making their presence felt.
Numbers suddenly began to drop as Curtin went infield on lap ten, Jayke Malcolm (who was running fifth at the time) on lap twelve and then Musarra, who had just grabbed third from Norman on lap fifteen.
This would leave seven cars for the final five laps, and despite his best efforts, Baker was unable to find a way through, seeing Riley claim the win from Baker and Norman.
Yesterday’s race meeting was also the first round of the 2020 Natrad SSD Four Crowns Series, with Riley officially leading those points on 131, followed by Baker on 115 and Rose on 95, with the next round held this coming weekend at the Pithara Speedway.
Release by DTN Media.
Official Result
SSA Production Sedans Feature Race, 20 laps: 1. V1 Beau Riley, 2. 10 Ashley Baker, 3. 6 Hayden Norman, 4. 68 Leigh Beecroft, 5. 114 Daniel Flavel, 6. 11 Josh Macalpine, 7. 3 Dave Herbert (14). DNF: 12 Rod Musarra (15), 23 Jayke Malcolm (12), 99 Benny Curtin (10), 181 Barry Rose (4), 00 Hamish Macalpine (4). DNS: 13 Jimmy McGiveron, 33 Reece Parton, 61 Jake Blight, 86 Wayne Leviston.
SSA PRODUCTION SEDANS GOING FOUR WIDE IN THE BAY PRIOR TO THE MAIN EVENT