Mt Gambier’s Borderline Speedway worked through some inclement weather to get the season opener in the books Saturday night (Nov 23rd) and in the headline Distinct ICT Sprintcar Series it was the lanky Tasmanian leadfoot, Tim Hutchins that took home the win from Rusty Hickman and Grant Stansfield who was pumped with the teams result on their first race for the season.
With a huge race program scheduled and the threat of some less than ideal weather after some heatwave conditions – typical isn’t it – the club held off making a decision whether to race or not until the morning of the event.
With the forecast saying no rain until early the following morning the decision was made to race with an early start just in case. A mid afternoon shower had many worried and so after some consultation with teams and drivers the decision was made to push on.
With concerns over the weather a couple of drivers decided not to take the risk including series leader and championship favourite Jamie Veal.
A few locals however helped boost the Sprintcar numbers including the return of Bordertown’s Dylan Jenkin and Sott Enderl.
Tasmanian Tate Frost would have reckoned highly in the prerace expectations as would have series race winners Glen Sutherland, Jordyn Charge, in the Downing Brothers #97, and former series champs Daniel Pestka and Rusty Hickman.
Six of the seven B-Main contenders made it to the A-Main with Josh Buckingham being the unlucky one after an issue.
In the main event there were a few stoppages throughout but some good racing with Hickman from pole getting the best start from a wheel standing Hutchins.
Rusty led the first ten laps before Hutchins took over with Hickman then being pushed back further by Frost until Tate’s demise just after mid distance.
The consistent Stansfield was now on the podium with all sorts of positional changes occurring behind on the restart.
Having a meritorious drive was young Todd Moule who went from 4th in the B-Main to 4th in the A-Main.
5th was Pestka followed by Sutherland, Ashley Cook, Jenkin, Terry Rankin and Dane Court from the B-Main completing the top ten. Jordan Rae and Scott Enderl were the only other finishers on the lead lap with the only other finisher being Andy Hughes 1 lap down. Seven of the 20 car field failed to finish.
In the Owen Built Homes/Owen Portable Homes Stampede Series it was Tim Rankin taking the win from Vic Champ Dale Sinclair and Jack Bell in 3rd.
Former Junior racer Chevette Muir won the 12 car B-Main ahead of Harrison Pfitzner, Alex Ryan, Brady Cudia and other transferees.
Sinclair surged to the lead at the start jumping both Rankin and pole sitter Nathan O’Shea but by lucky lap 13 Rankin was in the lead from Sinclair and a couple of laps later Bell was in the podium position.
Just like the bigger Sprintcars there were issues galore and passes going on with Indy Rae eventually taking fourth ahead of O’Shea, Jordan Mansell, Max Owen, Caleb Langdon, Liam Russell, Bradly Malone, Muir, Jake Hose, Ryan Harry, Cudia, Lauren Bowen and Pfitzner with no other finishers.
The rest of the program was devoted to the kids with Cody Malley wining the Junior f500’s from Cruz Farrell, Rusty Ponting, Hugo Chivell, Koby O’Shannassy, Matilda Farrell, Logan O’Shannassy, Roc Hughes, Paddy Lewis, Toby Cook, Chase Muir, Kira O’Shannassy and Tyler Walters. Rowdy Andreatta and Zac Stevens were the only non-finishers.
Sedan action was provided by the New Star and Top Star kids with Demi Jennings winning the New Stars feature and making club president Carey Jennings very happy from Cody Gartner, Rylan Hartman, Mayson Coad, James Becker and Levi Hutchins.
Top Stars fell to Violet Thorne from Jayden Garner, Jackson Warrener, Flynn Annett, Riley Greig and Tyler Wilson.
The next meeting for Borderline is Dec 7th featuring Wingless Sprint Triple Crown Rd1, Southern Street Stock Series Rd4, Junior Sedans and Classic Super Modifieds