Carlson wins another NSW title
SHANE Carlson and Chris Corbett were the two form drivers throughout last Saturday night’s NSW RSA Street Stockers Title at Hessions Auto Parts Grafton Speedway, but in the end, it was Carlson who emerged triumphant to claim his second NSW Title victory.
When it comes to RSA Street Stockers, there isn’t a major event trophy that Carlson hasn’t got his name on. On Saturday night, although the Raymond Terrace, NSW-based racer had a bit of luck on his side, the veteran of 30 plus years of racing added another NSW Title to his trophy cabinet.
After dominating the heat-race action, Chris Corbett started the NSW Title deciding feature race from pole position. From the start, the current Queensland SSA Street Stock Title holder powered to the lead and built up a handy buffer over his rivals. However, he had his run brought to a premature end during the middle stages of the feature race when he was forced to retire due to engine woes.
With Corbett out of the running and on the infield, Carlson inherited the lead, and he was able to make the most of his fortune and went on to score a solid victory ahead of Casino’s Brock Armstrong in second and local Brenden Hayes in third. Kyle Armstrong finished just off the podium in fourth ahead of fifth-place finisher Greg Dickinson.
Defending NSW Champion Chris Marino endured a tough run during the qualifying heat races, which saw him innocently involved in a heavy crash, and consequently started from towards the back of the feature-race field. With nothing to lose and all to gain, the Sydneysider fought his way through the field and greeted the chequered flag in sixth.
The top-10 finishers were completed by Nelson Mooney, Robert Grill, Trent Morgan and Tayler Lofthouse.
Apart from Corbett, other NSW Title hard-luck stories were Dale Corbett (steering rack damage), Jakob Lesha (crash) and Shaun Davoodi (crash).
In the Late Model action, Queenslander Carter Armstrong scored his second feature-race victory at Grafton Speedway this season. On this occasion, he managed to defeat both Chris Carlish and Allan Schultz to the chequered flag in the feature race.
The support class feature-races went the way of Tony Blanch (AMCA Nationals), Jeremy Wade (RSA Four Cylinder Sedans), Tyler Burnham (Junior Sedans – Top Stars) and Aida Miller (Junior Sedans – New Stars).
The next race meeting at Grafton Speedway is going to be held on the Saturday night of March 25, which will be headlined by the V8 Dirt Modifieds. The support action is going to include RSA Street Stockers, Production Sedans, RSA Four Cylinder Sedans, SSA Street Stocks, Stock Cars and Junior Sedans
Grafton Speedway would like to thank Hessions Auto Parts for their 2022-23 season support. Based in Grafton, along with their nearby Coffs Harbour location, Hessions Auto Parts stock a wide range of parts and accessories at competitive prices. To find out more about Hessions Auto Parts, contact them on 0266 423 085 (Grafton) and 0256 456 361 (Coffs Harbour) or visit their website at hessionsautoparts.com.au.
For more information, contact Grafton Speedway promoter Mick Corbett on 0427 310 009. You can also visit their website at graftonspeedway.com.au or LIKE them on Facebook by searching Grafton Speedway.
Photo: Butcher Photography