Last weekend’s 2019 Australian Wingless Sprint Championship at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway saw Chris Halesworth reach new heights in his speedway career, going up against the best the country has to offer and making himself noticed with some impressive performances.
In what was only his second ever Australian Championship attempt, Halesworth showed incredible composure as he attempted to prove himself throughout the massive weekend – and prove himself he certainly did.
Piloting the brand-new Vic # 67 Technique Bricklaying / Max Fry Smash Repairs supported Maxim that he debuted over the Christmas-New Year period, the 26-year-old racer well and truly found his feet aboard the machine in what was only its fourth appearance, displaying great consistency.
Winning his first heat race on the opening night of competition and powering forward from position 12 to finish third in the other, Halesworth qualified a pleasing third for preliminary feature race one, eventually crossing the finish line in fifth place and recording the fastest lap time of the race.
While this wasn’t enough to earn him a direct qualification into the Australian Championship-deciding feature race, Halesworth was quick to rectify that in Saturday night’s final heat race, with his third-place result guaranteeing him an inclusion in the Mid-Pack Scramble, where a fifth-place finish would see him start from position 15 for the Australian Championship-deciding feature race.
Opting for a conservative setup in order to suit the changing track conditions, Halesworth made good progress throughout the first half of the 40-lap distance, making his way up to ninth place where he enjoyed some close battles between Daniel Storer, Jarman Dalitz and outgoing Australian Champion Joel Chadwick, briefly experiencing eighth place before ultimately crossing the finish line just outside of the top 10 in 11th.
“I’m really proud of our efforts throughout the Australian Championship, and it definitely wasn’t an easy task, so to not only qualify for the feature race but come home with a competitive result is a real achievement,” commented the Geelong, Victoria-based racer, who was pleased to make amends after experiencing a heartbreaking mechanical issue during last season’s Australian Championship at Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway while running in the final feature-race transfer spot in the B main.
“There are a lot of people who helped to make the Australian Championship result a possibility, and my biggest supporter is without a doubt my dad (Ray), who gives me so much support and encouragement, and I simply wouldn’t be able to do it without him.”
With his next major event being the South Australian Title at Murray Bridge Speedway on March 22 and 23, the rest of the season for Halesworth will consist of selected local race meetings.
Throughout the 2018-19 season, Halesworth is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
Technique Bricklaying
Max Fry Smash Repairs
Andrew’s Automotive
A+ Powder Coating
BMAX Contracting
KartWorx Warrnambool
KH Training
Indy Race Parts Australia
Halesworth would like to give special thanks to his dad (Ray), Mark Smith and Domain Ramsay.
To find out more about Halesworth and his team, LIKE them on Facebook or FOLLOW them on Instagram by searching Chris Halesworth Motorsport.
Photo: 44 Photography
