Lightning Sprints SA

SA1 Nick (Hurricane) Hall defending his last Season Series Championship put together a sensational drive at Round 1 of the SA Lightning Sprints Challenge Series hosted by Renmark Speedway to take an early lead in this Seasons Challenge Series Points. You could say it looked like his racing tactics where ‘Eat My Dust’.

Heat 1
Brendan Quinn, who started off the front row of Heat 1, turned in a peerless performance leaving the remaining field behind to race amongst each other. Scott Bobstchinski started off front row but moved high allowing Lee Payne and Nick Hall to take over from the inside as they headed down the back straight. Bobstchinski then had his hands full as Sam Putland and both the Knuckeys challenged for his position. Quinn S14 won the race from flag to flag with S1 Hall in 2nd followed by Leethal Lee Payne in 3rd.

Heat 2
Kate Wiese took the lead heading into turn 1 while Mark Johnson ran it wide to letting Sam Putland, Darryl Knuckey and Graham Knuckey through, chasing the green machine until the yellows came on. Kate leading the restart with cars swapping for position late in the race and went on to win Heat 2 ahead of a hard charging Nick Hall 2nd and Sam Putland in for 3rd.

DASH
The Dash was a swift exciting race with Nick Hall winning with a late move on Kate Wiese to fill the front row pole positions for the Feature Race with Lee Payne taking 3rd and Brendan Quinn 4th.

FEATURE
In the 20 lap Main Event, Nick Hall signalled his intentions that there would be more of ‘Eat My Dust’ by jumping to an early lead with Lee Payne in hot pursuit of Hall into 2nd position, followed by Kate Wiese who was under assault from Graham (Bones) Knuckey. Bones passed Kate and then at the next corner he moved under Leethal Lee with a massive surge to the front. From here Graham pushed to close the gap on Hall. Kate Wiese unfortunately left enough gap allowing Brendan Quinn and Sam Putland to pass her which also left the door open for Darryl Knuckey to make the pass for position 7 at this stage of the race. The action was non stop however Lee appeared to be losing his Leethal tactics driving like a Blow Fly hit with Baygon, dropping back with Sam Putland zipping past into 3rd then Darryl (Professor) Knuckey making his way into 4th. It was Kate Wiese next to tackle the 28 car of Lee Payne as he continued to fall back in the later stages of the race. In the closing laps Kate secured 6th place. Graham Knuckey tried everything on Hall for the lead spot, but all efforts were unsuccessful. First across the line was Nick Hall closely followed by Graham Knuckey, however he was put back 2 places by the Steward & Brendan Quinn was officially declared 2nd place with Sam Putland 3rd Graham Knuckey 4th .

GOSSIP
WAR PAINT WOW – As I walking through the pits (did anyone see me? – mug shot below) there were some great looking cars. What a fantastic standard of cars I saw lined up in the pits ready for this seasons racing. Some huge efforts have been made to show that this season we are a truly fine class of racing vehicle.

Racing Entertainment PLUS – Challenge Series Round 1 was highly entertaining and exciting to watch. This Challenge Series has drawn out a very competitive and intense level of competition that has lifted the driving standard in general. Although there are, still some track & pit manners to be learned by some!

Well race fans I’m hooked. Until next week that’s it for Trak Yak

CAM GRIND
Avid Reporter for Trak Yak

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