PROFESSOR KNUCKEY TOPS THE CLASS

Renmark Speedway hosted Round 4 of the V6 Sprint Challenge Series, 15 cars nominated including current SA1 Nathan Squires heading the field.  A large crowd witnessed the most spectacular start to a V6 Series Feature Race to date in the 08 Season, with a turn one pile up that saw Nick Hall caught in the middle and unable to continue his perfect run of feature wins, having to sit this one out loosing valuable points in the series chase.

From the restart Mr Consistency, Darryl Knuckey leapt ahead in the 20 lap main event from flag to flag leaving fellow competitors eating his dust. Ben Hall followed close behind in 2nd Place, challenging Darryl for the front position, while “Leethal” Lee Payne pushed hard to 3rd, fighting off a late charge from Graham “BONES” Knuckey who finished 4th.  However as Ben had not complied to the ‘Series Rules’ nomination deadline he had to forfeit the 2nd Place Final Flag position & points from this race.  Therefore the Final results changed to 2nd – Lee Payne, 3rd – Graham Knuckey.

HEATS

Heat 1 - Kelvin Burns SA7 getting the early lead but at the end of lap one both Brendan Quinn SA14 and Lee Payne SA28 would move pass leading onto the main strait, Mark “BROWN DOG” Brown SA25, Daryl Knuckey SA18 and Ben Hall SA71 would provide some great action for the crowd while eventual winner SA14 Brendan Quinn beating home Lee Payne 2nd a hard charging Kelvin Burns SA7 finishing a strong 3rd.

Heat 2 - S1 Nathan Squires starting near the back of the pack in his first heat had his work cut out for him. Things would get worse for the current State Champion when his engine went into melt down only 4 laps in, Nathan taking out the Neil Toye award. Race winner driving a great race at the front SA78 Graham “BONES” Knuckey ahead of Sam Putland SA17 having a good run in his Strathfield Motors entry finishing 2nd  while SA8 Nick Hall picking up points in 3rd.

Heat 3 - The top two point scorers in the series would start off the front row, with both cars banging wheels leading up to the drop of the green, Nick Hall moved to the lead ahead of Daryl “PROFESSOR” Knuckey with Kate Wiese SA9 and Ben Hall SA71 having passed Paul Crouch V6 in the TOYOTA 4AG making a welcome return to the series with the KELLY crew from Mildura pointing the speedster in the right direction. The win would have SA8 Nick Hall 1st with Daryl Knuckey SA18 finishing 2nd ahead of Kate Wiese SA9 with an impressive drive in 3rd.

Heat 4 - Mark Brown SA25 and Colin James SA24 started off the front row for the 4th heat; Lee Payne would spin in turn 3-4 bringing on the caution lights. With a full restart LEETHAL Lee Payne would start at the rear of the field. Brown jumped to the lead while V20 Scott Bobstchinski followed Brown to the front, Lap2 saw SA25 Brown make a mistake going in to turn 1, heading down the back straight V20 Bobstchinski and Brown were wheel to wheel at turn 3, Brown getting the edge moved to the front with V20 Bobstchinski 2nd he would soon be challenged by Graham “BONES” Knuckey SA78 diving up the inside in turn 3 completing the move and passing Brown SA25 to lead the action packed heat race. Final placing were; SA78 Graham Knuckey 1st with Mark Brown SA25 able to beat home interstate rival Scott Bobstchinski V20 with an impressive 3rd place effort.

 A&B DASH

DASH B. Mark Brown SA25 was a clear winner ahead of Sam Putland SA17 2nd driving well, Nick Hall starting from the back row moved forward to finish 3rd  while Colin James SA24 held off Scott Bobstchinski V20 with Chris James SA12 qualified into the dash in only his second race meeting rounding out the field.

DASH A - Brendan Quinn SA14 lead the A Dash from start to finish with another consistent performance earning a front row start for the A Main. Daryl Knuckey SA18 would finish 2nd   holding off the fast Ben Hall SA71 3rd with Lee Payne moved forward to finish ahead of SA9 Kate Wiese and Graham Knuckey SA78.

 A MAIN

The feature race started off in spectacular fashion with four cars making contact on the opening lap in turn 1.  Mark Brown SA25 kept wide by Quinn SA14 at the entry to the first turn allowing Putland SA17 to dive to the bottom.  Unfortunately close contact between Nick Hall SA8, Mark Brown SA25 and Lee Payne SA28  saw Putland SA17 car  collected in this squeeze & ended up driving over the front of Browns car, rolling on to his side and coming to rest with major damage.  To view video footage of this racing action debarkle visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awdYDmVYgF4

The SA hot shot would take no further part in the event, with Nick Hall and Mark Brown unable to continue with considerable damage to there cars costing them both valuable points in ‘Series Chase’, while Lee Payne was able to take up his starting position on the restart. Brendan Quinn would be missing from the front row on the restart; with his car resting on the infield Daryl Knuckey would lead the race at the drop of the green flag. Ben Hall driving the SA71 “BLACK BANDIT” ELLIS Chassis would chase hard, contending with lap traffic not able to make a pass for the lead. Interstate challengers V6 Paul Crouch finished the race adding to his points tally  and V20 Scott Bobstchinski started well however being passed in the later stages of the race  by SA9 Kate Wiese  who would take 4th place  behind SA78 Graham “BONES” Knuckey making a charge to the front in 3rdplace. Lee Payne drove the SA28 Steven Sheet Metal car  to a 2nd place finish at the chequer with Daryl “PROFESSOR” Knuckey  using his JOKER card to full effect driving the SA18  flaming red rocket to victory lane taking his maiden series feature win. As Ben Hall SA71 was a late nomination his results had to be excluded from the Renmark round according to the ‘Series Rules’ nomination deadline.       

GOSSIP

?         Sad News: Our thoughts go out to former V6 competitor Mark Harrington who suffered compressed fractures to two vertebrae in his back competing in a Speedcar event interstate. Mark will return home soon, however his recovery will take some time. We hope all goes well. Stay strong Mark.

?         Heading the Rumour File:  Former two times SA1 Matt Egal almost had a guest drive appearance in a well prepared car but at the late stage the deal fell through. Also Richard Clavell will acquire the services of Michael Buxallen to drive the SA19 RAZOR chassis for the remainder of the season starting at the State title January 10th.

?         Track Whispers: More cars are being prepared with local and interstate cars waiting on parts to finish their race vehicle, so we may see some cars hit the track in the New Year and others a little later.

?         Lost & Found: Mark Henry not seen since late in the 07/08 season, will we see Mark hit the oval tracks this season who knows. Also missing in action was race coordinator not able to make it to Rnd4 at Renmark, look forward to his much needed support in rounds to come.

SPECIAL THANKS TO SERIES SPONSORS

Active Auto, Artmetal Coating, Agars Industrial, Baa Moo Oink Butchers, Barossa BBQ Chickens, Blair Athol Auto Parts, Chris Milton Engines, Cottrell Racing, Fuchs Oils, Ledtronix, Star Fire Pizza, Winning Wings, Zoro Signs.

The next round of the V6 Sprint Series moves to Mildura

On the 25th January 2009 check web site for up to date details