The season’s single race meeting at Leeton’s Brobenah Raceway is never one to disappoint, and last Saturday night was no different, with Andrew White and Jacob Mills claiming top honours in the Super Sedan Long Track Classic, presented by De Paoli Transport, and Graham Bourke Memorial for Production Sedans respectively.
With two blue-ribbon events and two support classes on the program, action-packed is the perfect way to describe the night at the 940-metre track, which also saw Mark Gordon join White and Mills on the winner’s list, doubling up with two feature-race victories in both VSC Open Sedans and GOSA Sedans.
Guaranteed to go to a new champion with last season’s champion Callum Harper not in attendance, the De Paoli Transport Long Track Classic saw White continue what has been a solid run of form recently, picking up podium results in both the NSW Title and the Super Sedan Rumble at Goulburn Speedway.
Qualifying in pole position for the 20-lap feature race by virtue of two heat-race wins, White was sure to make the most of his position at the drop of the green flag, immediately taking over the lead and, despite later pressure from second-placed Peter Nicola, leading from start to finish to clinch the win.
Lining up on the inside of the second row, Nicola was quick to pip front-row starter Neil Whitnish on the opening lap, but that didn’t stop Whitnish from responding during the second of half of the distance, reclaiming second place on lap 13 only to lose it again on the final lap when Nicola executed a late-race pass for second place.
Wayne Aylett and Wayne Dick rounded out the remaining feature-race finishers, while one of the favourites to win the De Paoli Transport Long Track Classic in Lucas Roberts was unable to start the feature race due to sustaining a broken steering rack in his second heat race, which ultimately brought his night to a premature end.
Racing a Production Sedan around the massive Leeton track for the first time since winning the 2011 National Title at the venue at the age of 17, having also placed second during last season’s NSW Street Stock Title at the track, Mills delivered a dominant performance to win the Graham Bourke Memorial, crossing the finish line over three seconds clear of his nearest rival.
However, while it was Mills who emerged victorious, it was Raymond Ussher who started the 12-lap feature race from the best possible position, after banking the most points during his heat races. Unfortunately for Ussher, he was unable to hold on to his spot, losing out to Mills in the opening laps before slipping backwards through the field.
Coming home in the runner-up spot, Stephen Laidlaw was followed by local racer Wayne Bourke, who was hoping to take top honours in his father’s memorial race but was forced to settle for third place.
Remaining finishers included last season’s Graham Bourke Memorial winner and another Leeton local Justin Hawkins, Danny Harrison, Brett Norman, Justin Granger, Glen Corcoran, Raymond Ussher and Rodney Anderson.
In the VSC Open Sedans, it was Mark Gordon who clinched what would later become the first of two feature-race wins, with Joel Copeland and Frank Gordon coming home in second and third place respectively. Mal Bassitt and Daniel Copeland completed the feature-race finishers.
Once again asserting his dominance, this time in GOSA Sedans, Mark Gordon made it a pair of victories, while Jamie Atkin and Dave Walton joined him on the podium. The best of the rest were Justin Granger and Stuart Balins, while Frank Gordon and Mal Bassitt were unlucky to experience DNFs. Peter Schmetzer was unfortunately unable to start the feature race.
Brobenah Raceway would like to thank De Paoli Transport for their valued support of the Long Track Classic. Located in Leeton, De Paoli Transport is a family-owned business with over 23 years of experience in the transport industry. Priding themselves on their exceptional customer service, they specialise in general cartage throughout New South Wales and interstate. Find out more by visiting their website at www.depaoli.com.au
or calling them on 0269 535 099.
The track would also like to thank all of the volunteers and committee members who helped to make this race meeting a great success. They’re looking forward to making next season’s outing even bigger and better.
For further information about Brobenah Raceway, you can FOLLOW them on Facebook by searching Leeton Motor Sports Club or contacting club president Ron Watts on 0408 837 261.
