Despite the ominous rain clouds setting in over Alice Springs’ Arunga Park Speedway last Saturday night, a great crowd of spectators and drivers turned out for the President’s Cup event, which featured a variety of open wheel, sedan and bike classes.
Making the decision to continue the night’s program amid intermittent rain showers, the President’s Cup saw a number of drivers emerge victorious in their respective classes following some great racing, in particular from the large Junior Sedan field.
In the 410 Sprintcars, it was the Cole brothers Lenny and Shane who were battling it out for the feature-race win, with the former coming out on top, while the latter was forced to retire from the race with mechanical issues.
Rod Calvert was the best in the Wingless Sprints feature race, retaining his first place starting position to claim the victory ahead of Richard Hawkins and Wayne Tregea, while the Street Stocks feature race was won by Rod Berry, followed by Tennant Creek’s Colin Fry, who did well did claim the runner-up spot from fourth place, and Sam Brumfield. Oscar Taylor and Daniel Molloy rounded out the top-five finishers.
The solid line-up of 19 All Star and Rising Star Junior Sedan drivers produced some exciting racing, with Shane Greening leading the 10-lap All Star feature race from start to finish to take top honours. Behind Greening, an action-packed race ensued with plenty of overtaking shaking up the results.
A last-lap charge from Lachlan Spilsbury saw him power forward from fourth place to take over second, while Lang Hayes managed to retain his third-place starting position. Second-place starter Jack Yates was the victim of last-lap traffic, slipping back to fourth, ahead of Jet Thompson and final finisher Mitchell Sanders. Allysha Tregea was the race’s only casualty, retiring to the infield five laps in.
Putting in a stellar drive during the Rising Star feature race, Logan Foley managed to regain his composure after slipping back to fifth in the early stages, making his way back up to second before launching an attack on race leader Ben Tasker on the final lap to clinch the win.
After leading the majority of the feature race, Ben Tasker was forced to settle for second place, while Ethan Maritz rounded out the podium. Home in fourth was Leah Driver, followed by Will Totani, Reece Cole and Macey Hayes.
Although they didn’t contest feature races on the night, the Speedcars, Formula 500s and Bombers kept the crowd entertained with some spirited racing action.
Unfortunately for Arunga Park Speedway President Garth Thompson, who was celebrating his 40th birthday, his night was brought to a premature end after blowing his engine in his opening heat race, leaving father and son duo Twig and Cameron Robertson to battle it out in the Speedcars.
Coming out on top of both of the Formula 500 heat races was Jarrod Woolcock, followed by Jamie Fry, while an early DNF ended Sharali Mahomet’s campaign.
Simon Nicol was the winner in the Bombers’ only heat race for the night, with Jason Barker crossing the finish line in second.
Arunga Park Speedway would like to thank each of their hardworking volunteers who helped to make this meeting a possibility, along with the Alice Springs Fire Department.
The track’s next meeting will be the Christmas Show, which will incorporate the Territory Wrecking and Complete Fencing Demolition Derby and burnouts on the Saturday night of December 8. Gates will open to the public at 5pm, with racing to commence at 7pm.
To find out more, contact Arunga Park Speedway president Garth Thompson on 0417 838 996, visit www.arungapark.com or FOLLOW them on both Facebook and Instagram by searching Arunga Park Speedway.
