In what was the final hit-out for the SSA Production Sedans at Speedway Wangaratta prior to the National Title, local driver Felicity Roycroft has taken victory in a feature race that had just about everything.
The final was a thriller from the outset, with Rhys Collins getting the jump at the start while Marty Bassett quickly applied pressure. Bassett’s charge was short-lived however, as he was forced to retire early down the back straight with mechanical issues.
Michael Sayers then moved into contention, taking up the fight with Collins at the front, while Jack Bear and Matthew Ismail were locked in a tight battle just behind them. Meanwhile, Roycroft was making her presence felt, working the high line and charging through the field.
The race took a dramatic turn when Collins spun on the back straight, bringing out the caution with nine laps remaining and ending his night. Under yellow, Sayers also headed infield with a flat tyre, handing the lead to Bear.
On the restart, Bear got away cleanly, but was immediately under pressure. A three-wide battle into turn two saw Scott Hawkins briefly take the lead before another caution was called, this time for a front-end failure to Andrew Cunningham with just four laps to run.
During that stoppage, officials were alerted to a dislodged ballast weight that had come off the lead car of Hawkins and struck Roycroft on the back straight. The incident led to a post-race disqualification for Hawkins despite crossing the line in first, ultimately reshaping the final results.
When it was all said and done, Roycroft was declared the winner, capping off an impressive drive through the field. Bear was credited with second place, while Marcus Maclean completed the podium. Ismail and Tay Barnard rounded out the top five.
Feature, 20 laps: 1. WG65 Felicity Roycroft, 2. CR19 Jack Bear, 3. CR7 Marcus Maclean, 4. AX40 Matthew Ismail, 5. WG69 Tay Barnard, 6. NG11 Nathan O’Brien. DNF: WSC21 Andrew Cunningham (16), WSC2 Brock Cunningham (16), WNG69 Tom Barnard (12), WG27 Rhys Collins (11), WNG10 Michael Sayers (11), WNG84 Nick Hill (6), L6 Marty Bassett (2). DQ: WSC5 Scott Hawkins. DNS: WSC17 Rodney Anderson. BGO13 Jaidyn Dredge, WG21 Andrew Robi, WNG9 Wayne O’Keefe, DS18 Brendan Miller, WNG16 Brendan Brewer, COR10 Trevor Mills, WG71 Martin Heiner. Total Time: No Time. Winning Margin: 2.121. Fastest Lap: 18.652 L6 Marty Bassett.
Pic Courtesy Speedway Wangaratta.