REIGNING Australian street stock champion, Mount Gambier’s Anthony Beare was on the pace at the Borderline Speedway Saturday night, but had to settle for second place behind former title holder Rhys Heinrich after an incident-ridden A Main feature race.
Beare waged a door-to-door battle throughout the feature, claiming the lead and then giving it up, with several caution periods ensuring close racing to the chequered flag.
In his final heat of the night Beare was caught up in a battle with Corey Sandow, again swapping first and second places, only to drop off slightly late in the race.
However, his earlier performances provided position three on the starting grid for the feature and would set the scene for the main race.
Jason Duell – a late entry for the event – was also on the pace, driving from last on the grid to fourth in his final heat of the night to start from 11th in the feature.
Penola’s Scott Merrett was alongside Duell in 12th, providing plenty for the Limestone Coast fans to cheer about.
When the flag dropped for the initial 15 laps to be run in a clockwise direction, carnage broke out on the first two turns, with a full restart ordered.
Merrett became an early retirement after a flat tyre from contact and the drama continued when Beare was caught up with a slower car that was circulating on the high line.
That left the pink number 46 car with front bumper damage, but it was deemed to be safe and Beare returned to second place for the restart.
From there it was a matter of remaining focused, with Beare eventually gaining the upper hand as the first 15 laps wound down.
With just four to run, another restart bunched the field up and in a classic move, Beare sliced between two cars to head the field and cross the line in front to lead off for the final stint.
By that stage only 11 cars remained on track, with Duell joining Merrett in the middle of the circuit.
The cars returned to an anti-clockwise direction with 15 laps to run.
Beare continued to push hard and looked in control, but Heinrich soon found his groove and closed the margin, before pouncing to gain the upper hand.
After an entertaining battle, with five laps remaining Heinrich began to stretch the margin, but Beare fought back, now under pressure from a smokey Andy Maxwell.
The pair began to reel in Heinrich, with a run on the final corner almost enough to claim the honours.
In the end it was Heinrich who greeted the chequered flag first, from Beare and Maxwell, with Sandow close behind in fourth.
From there the wingless sprints took to the track for their A Main feature, again with plenty of action to keep the crowd entertained.
Trent Gravestock and Mitch Broome were the focus for the local fans early in the night, with Broome making the feature and pushing hard early.
Broome went straight into the A Main after second and a fifth placings in the heats, to qualify out of 11th on the grid.
Gravestock had to work his way through the B Main after some issues in his heat.
Unfortunately he failed to make a transfer position.
The heats proved popular with the fans, with Broome embroiled in some close racing.
After reaching the A Main he was impressive early, with some close racing with former Victorian champion Glen Watts.
Broome made a pass to head Watts, who fought back and reclaimed the position.
Watts almost spun coming out on turn one, which disrupted Broome’s flow, who was engulfed by several following cars.
Before that he was up in the top 10 and threatening for a top five finish, but from there was forced to play catch-up, which proved too much.
In the end it was Dayn Bentvelzen who claimed the honours with a faultless drive, from Travis Millar and Alex Ross.
