Saturday, 2 January 2010
Gavin White
Former local Ben McLeod charged home late in the 20 lap Oval Express Formula 500 Series final to take the victory in round 4 of the series at Warrnambool’s Sungold Stadium on January 1, 2010. The round also doubled as the Jack Willsher Cup following the washout of the event in November and McLeod managed to smash Jack’s 1973 race record by over two and a half minutes!
A huge crowd was on hand to witness the Oval Express Series round while running alongside World Series Sprintcars was the perfect chance to showcase the future stars of the industry. Starting on the front row alongside polesitter and lady racer Jessica Moulden, McLeod missed the start while Queensland veteran Mick Pronger jumped to an early lead with Moulden, McLeod, impressive rookie Jye O’Keefe and American Austin Farley in hot pursuit.
With Pronger’s impressive speed out in front Moulden was the first to reel in the cagey Queenslander however she attempted numerous inside passing moves with Pronger negating each of them. As laps wore down it was left to O’Keefe and McLeod to make their moves as they sailed around the leading duo late in the race.
The four way battle for the lead was a fitting way to end what was a fantastic display of close and exciting racing provided by the ‘pocket rockets’ as the best drivers from across the country had assembled for the event.
McLeod’s victory was one of his finest moments while O’Keefe’s performance to run second belies his youth and inexperience. Pronger clung to third while Moulden remained behind the veteran in fourth. Chad Sullivan’s consistency throughout the series was again rewarded with a fifth place finish ahead of Greg Wickham, Queensland Junior Sedan supremo Charlie Brown, former series winner Matt Brown, James Aranyosi and Steven Horton in tenth. Leigh Van Ginneken, Liam Williams, Robert Muscat, Jock Baker, current Australian champ Brock Hallett and Dale Sinclair were all trailing.
McLeod’s new race record for the 20-lap distance now stands at 4:41.42 seconds lowered the old mark that stood at 7:12.50 seconds since 1973. Jack Willsher and his wife Alice were on hand to witness the new record being set.
Earlier in the night Jess Moulden and McLeod won their respective Dash events while Hallett transferred from the B-main along with teammate Jock Baker, Robert Muscat and Angello Karoussis.
Heat winners were Greg Wickham, Leigh Van Ginneken, Jess Moulden, West Australian Brad Warwick, Matt Brown and finally Chad Sullivan.
A reminder that the Race Info Line 9513 5555 contains all the information for upcoming events.
For more details phone General Manager David Mills 0408 529 625
Website – www.premierspeedway.com.au
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