Wilson tops Solos
SPEEDWAY by Tony Briggs
Saturday night was a super night of entertainment at Collie Speedway with the Solos and Sidecars having some sensational racing.
The racetrack received some special attention during the week allowing the Solos and Sidecars the freedom to run anywhere in safety, which resulted in spectacular racing.
Guy Wilson was again the best of the Solos as he went close to breaking the one-minute barrier for a three-lap event. The handicap racing was the most outstanding of all, with shoulder to shoulder racing through the turns.
Wilson threaded himself through the field with ease to win each event but was eventually closely pursued by Lee Blackman.
Sidecars had an excellent night, with the Paul Potter outfit stealing the show. Potter and passenger were having their first night on Collie Speedway and showed from the beginning that they were champions in the making.
Local competitors Rick Birch/Dale Voke and Pusky Cresenzi/Troy Ransome also drove well.
Like the Solos, the Sidecars were setting some very fast times at only about one second per lap away from the record. The racing was not without its spills however the three riders to come to grief all were able to remount their machines and continue racing.
Sedans were again in good form with several fantastic races. The Production Sedans welcomed back Shane Rowden for his first event for the season.
Rowden was off the pace a little and did not figure as prominently as last season.
Darren Wright looked the driver to beat however Michael Cain again showed courage to take out a heat while Rob Townsend held of several different challengers in the final to win the event after leading for the entire 12 laps.
Street Sedans continue to prove to be a top division with all the races being hotly contested.
Barry Hunter has emerged as the hot favourite in this division while Jeff Genev has made a lot of headway with the XF Falcon.
Damien Millman again raced strongly having his share of the rewards while Warren Gardiner is still struggling to regain his early season form.
The Ladies proved to be full of entertainment as "Miss Kitty" stole the march on the "Countess of Clay" to not only win, but to also break the track record for the ladies’ in both events.
"Miss Mertle" was showing considerable improvement keeping in touch with the front runners. The ladies are set to be challenged in the near future with another starter coming into the picture. Look out for the flash Cortina on December 5.
Junior Sedans were down on numbers with only four starters. Dean Crowe and David Townsend were the two to watch on the night while Lance O’Dea showed he has got what it requires to be a top driver.
Formula 500’s fronted in big numbers, but machinery problems reduced the field as the night progressed. Aaron Griffiths showed that he would be the one to stop as he powered his way from the back of the field passing with ease lap after lap.
Jeff Muir was again in top form and is gradually gathering the all-important seasonal points that could result in him winning the Showcase Jewellers Citizen Watch award at the end of the season.
Paul Briggs raced at Claremont Speedway on Friday night and, following a race incident, was forced to retire in the final with a badly bent racecar. Briggs has spent several hours reshaping the car and is expecting to be ready for racing again within a few days.
Frank Does copped the wrath of the stewards for causing the incident that resulted in three other cars also being severely damaged. It is believed that Does was suspended for one race meeting for causing the incident that had Brigg's Sigma battered front and back.
Modified Sedans are on the list of starters for the December 5 meeting however that will depend on the number of nominations received.
December 5 will be night number two for the Limited Sprintcars with a field of more than 12 cars expected. Formula 500's will take another rest from the Collie track with their next meeting being on December 19.
The Collie Racing Drivers Association is seeking information on spectacular crashes at Collie Speedway, also any photographs of interest.
Peter Blanc, the barman at the speedway, is gathering information to show in the new bar at the speedway. Anyone with information that can help is asked to pass it on to Peter at the next race meeting.
Updated November 28 1998
[email protected]
Collie Speedway