Thursday, 31 December 2009
Daniel Kirby
Rockhampton’s Ben McLeod has won an exciting and nail biting 20 Lap A-Main in Round 3 of the Oval Express Formula 500 series at Western Speedway, Hamilton last night (Dec 30).
In what was a 2 horse race Mick Pronger finished a close second with Tim Rankin and Chad Sullivan rounding out the podium.
Pronger and McLeod shared the front row after win’s in the A and B Dashes respectively. Rankin and Series leader Simon Craven shared the second row with Round 2 Hard Charger award winner Jye O’Keeffe sharing the third row with Round 2 runner up Chad Sullivan.
The drag race into turn 1 was awesome to watch with both front row occupants not giving an inch. Both drivers raced side by side for the first circulation before McLeod was able to edge in front and hold onto the lead for the first 10 laps before the red lights come on for Greg Wickham who flipped the Swift Racing Products V10 in turn 2.
The restart proved difficult for McLeod with Pronger passing him in turn 2 and running away with the lead for 5 laps before a thrilling side by side battle ensued in turns 3 and 4 saw McLeod able to use the high side to good effect and make the race winning move. The top 2 remained the same for the final laps with McLeod again using the high side to good use pulling away from rest of the field.
Meanwhile misfortune struck for Craven when with 3 laps remaining a fuel leak forced the V20 infield handing Rankin third and promoting Sullivan to forth. Round 1 winner Liam Williams finished 5th with Jye O’Keeffe in 6th. “The General” Jack Lee charged from position 14 to finish 7th earning him the AG Racing Wings Hard Charger award. He was followed by Charlie Brown, Gary Hart and Steven Horton to round out the top 10. Aussie champ Brock Hallett qualified through the B-Main and while battling a virus was able to finish in 11th. He was followed by James Arranyosi, Steven Gay, Jason Priolo, Jock Baker and Jamie Korte.
Brad Warwick had an indifferent night with a win in his opening night and while out in front and looking set to take out his second heat of the night, lost his Left hand front wheel when it vacated the Gibbons Holden WA91 in turn 3. He finished infield with Team Mate, American Austin Farley, Craven and Wickham joining him.
The A Dash was easily taken out by Pronger with Rankin and Jye O’Keeffe rounding out the top 3. McLeod took out the B-Dash with Craven and Sullivan completing the top 3.
The B-Main was won by Hallett with Warwick, Australian 3 Steven Gay and Jason Priolo transferring to the back of the A-Main. In a massive 22 car field, Jesse Nicholas almost stole the final transfer spot from Priolo before the yellows come on insight of the chequered flag. The race was declared with Priolo finishing 4th.
Pronger changed from his trusty RG500cc 2 Stroke Power Plant to the more preferred Yamaha R6 600cc 4 Stroke before the meeting and it immediately worked with a heat race victory. Other Heat race victories went to Wickham, Warwick, Rankin, Jeremy Beddison, James Arranyosi, Tim Hicks, O’Keeffe and Austin Farley.
Attention now turns to the High Banks of Sungold Stadium, Warrnambool on New Years Night for Round 4. Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcar’s is also on the card with the Formula 500’s starting racing from 5pm.
Lap Times can be found at www.mylaps.com with series points being found at www.formula500.com.au/standings.asp
Contingency Awards
AG Racing Wings Hard Charger Award- Jack Lee (Passed 7 Cars in A-Main)
Swift Racing Products Shock Dyno Voucher- Steven Gay
Upright Wings Front Wing- Jess Moulden
Spruce Enterprises Rod End Pack- Jeremy Beddison
The Victorian Formula 500 Association would like to thank all of the Tracks and Sponsors for their valued support for this season.
Oval Express Formula 500 Series Sponsors
Oval Express Magazine
Max Dumesny Motorsport
Hoosier Tyre Australia
Impact Racing
Swift Racing Products
AG Racing Wings
Maxam Printing
Phil Jordison Photography
RTS Chassis
Spruce Enterprises
Empire Graphics
Lethal Race Wings
Upright Enterprises
2009/2010 Oval Express Series Dates
Round 4- Sungold Stadium, Warrnambool 1st January 2010
Round 5- Laang Speedway, Laang 2nd January 2010
Round 6- Laang Speedway, Laang 3rd January 2010
We hope to see you at Sungold Stadium on New Years Night from 5pm. The Victorian Formula 500 Association would also like to wish Corey McCullagh and Kevin Freeman a speedy recovery after both being involved in separate accidents throughout the series.
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