David Murcott regrouped after spinning to avoid Tony Moule during Saturday nights preliminary feature to claim an emphatic victory in Sunday nights Kirwan Securities ‘Southern Showdown’ at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway. Hot and at times uncomfortable conditions did little to hamper a strong crowd enjoying the long weekend and the close Sprintcar racing. Chasing Murcott to the line was Wayne Nicholls and a fast finishing Tony Moule.
With the top four finishers from Saturday nights preliminary A-main being Ian Thomsen, Wayne Nicholls, Allan Barlee and David Murcott, they had the luxury of being locked into the top six shootout, the remaining two places were filled after the final four heat races by SRA points leader John Vogels and Timboon’s Daniel Newnham. With the time trials complete it was John Vogels who gained the most ground with quick time and as a consequence he secured pole position. Murcott started from position 2 with Allan Barlee and Wayne Nicholls on the second row. Ian Thomsen and Daniel Newnham filled the third row followed by Travis Mills and Ian Lewis in the eighth position.
Oppressive heat and a blustery change that blew up an unsightly dust storm were only two of the challenges that faced the drivers and fans throughout the night. The third and maybe most telling factor was a quickly drying surface due to the high winds that swept across Avalon Raceway midway through the program which was literally strong enough to blow the numbers of the magnetic board utilized for presenting restart orders to the drivers on the infield!
A multi car pile up on the opening lap of the A-main exiting turn four brought proceedings to a halt with the only omission at the restart due to the carnage being Mount Gambier rookie Glen Sutherland. However also pulling infield and eventually out of the race was Ian Lewis with what appeared to be a loose torque tube.
At the restart it was Vogels who scorched to the lead ahead of Murcott however the former Tasmanian soon applied the pressure to Vogels for the lead and the pair were side-by-side exiting turn 2 early in the race. Vogels inadvertently looped the Total Dairy Service #70 losing multiple positions while Murcott sped away to a handy lead over Nicholls, Barlee, Thomsen, Newnham, Moule and Darren Mollenoyux.
Caution periods for Quentin Tanner, Daniel Newnham while running strongly and the Northern Territories Mark Grovsenor slowed proceeding momentarily. Vogels began to claw his way back through the field as Mollenoyux was tagging along for the ride and they were charging toward the front.
Out in front it was all smooth sailing for Murcott as he sped to the win in the Mainline Dynolog Dynamometers #91 ahead of Nicholls who had his best weekend of the season. Tony Moule quickly closed to finish third. Following the leading trio home in the ‘Southern Showdown’ was Allan Barlee, John Vogels, Ian Thomsen, Travis Mills, Mike Van Bremen, Phil Johnson and Domain Ramsay rounding out the top 10.
Heat race wins on the night went to Simon Amato after he was reinstated due to accidentally believing he was given the black flag in the dying laps, David Magilton, Mike Van Bremen in a huge drive coming from behind to clinch the win over Jeff Judd and finally Quentin Tanner.
Troy Sheills won the C-main comfortably while Mike Van Bremen secured the B-main and transferred to the A-main along with Quentin Tanner, Mark Grovsenor and Domain Ramsay.
Junior Sedans enjoyed a huge car count for their round of the Autobarn Series with a great feature highlighted by the battle between current South Australia #1 Brad Warren and local ace Andy Hibbert. Eventually Warren gained the ascendancy over Hibbert with Warren setting a new 15-lap race record for his efforts. Heat wins also went to Hibbert and Warren as they won both their respective heats. Such was the high car count, a B-main for the Junior Sedans was required and Warrnambool’s Luke Veal won from Grant Stan field. Ashlee Harris suffered a rollover during the B-main in the car that she shares with her cousin Kayla but fortunately she was uninjured although understandably shaken.
Street Stock heat wins went to Troy Neilson as he won both qualifiers before scoring a convincing win the feature. Brad McClure and Richard Spies could only watch on from second and third in the final as Neilson had his way with the field.

Next Meeting – Saturday April 1st – Sprintcars 360CI Brodix Qualifier, Modified Production Sedans, Junior Quarter Midgets.

For more information phone Jeff Drew 0418160985.