Wheels of fortune

ON THE GAS: James McFadden lifts the front wheels out of a corner during a round win in the Easter Sprintcar Trail Saturday night at the Borderline Speedway.
ON THE GAS: James McFadden lifts the front wheels out of a corner during a round win in the Easter Sprintcar Trail Saturday night at the Borderline Speedway.

THE Borderline Speedway was abuzz with activity over the weekend as fans and competitors from across the region gathered for the second round of the Easter Sprintcar Trail.

James McFadden was a stand-out throughout the event, facing tough competition on the track.

McFadden claimed a drama-filled A Main feature race Saturday night with the main race full of thrills and spills, as he looked to set up a clean sweep of the weekend after winning the first night at Geelong.

After setting a quick time early in the night, he was upstaged by Jamie Veal, who set a single-lap record around the tight confines of the clay oval, covering the lap in just 10.227 seconds.

After setting a quick time early in the night, he was upstaged by Jamie Veal, who set a single-lap record around the tight confines of the clay oval, covering the lap in just 10.227 seconds.

However, McFadden started the feature race from pole position and never looked back from there.

He jumped out to a lead from the outset, but proceedings soon came to a head, with a restart ordered and the field again lined up.

The carnage continued with constant restarts and just three laps completed before a red flag saw competitors allowed to refuel to ensure they made the 30-lap distance.

McFadden also suffered somewhat, clipping a tyre barrier on the inside of the track and suffering steering damage, but continued on regardless.

After the restart, with fuel tanks full, McFadden was caught up in a tough battle with Grand Annual winner Corey McCullagh, with the latter spinning, keeping his foot buried, but losing valuable track position as he regained his composure and continued racing.

From there McFadden had an easier run, but when he eventually attempted to lap McCullagh, the pass did not come easy, with the young Warrnambool driver making the eventual victor work hard for his position.

With Veal fast catching the pair, McFadden found a way past and pushed on, using the high groove to round up back-markers and greet the chequered flag for a popular victory.

McFadden said the early steering damage caused him dramas.

“I touched a tractor tyre on lap two and bent my steering,” he said.

“My steering wheel was 90 degrees out, which kind of threw me off.

“I had to change where my hands were and the way I was driving.

“We were pretty ugly for the first four or five laps, but once the fuel load burnt off, we got better and better.”

From there McFadden said he found his groove and pushed on.

“We kind of found the line getting into one, which helped us a bunch,” he said.

“Lapped cars were brutal – its tough when you are trying to race and they keep passing you back.

“Hats off to my guys, they have done an awesome job.”

Unfortunately McFadden was unable to continue his form on Sunday night to claim the overall series honours, with Veal taking the series from Jye O’Keefe and McCullagh.

Throughout the heats the crowd was entertained, with Veal and McFadden showing why they are at the top of their game.

For the Limestone Coast fans Glen Sutherland was running well in fifth place in Heat 2, while McFadden made and easy fist of Heat 3.

Veal had a similar result in the following heat, while McCullagh was made to work hard for a win in Heat 5, coming together with Brad Keller for two restarts.

Heat 6 saw Jake Tranter push hard to second place early and hold on to remain in that position to the chequered flag, while Sutherland managed a third place in his next heat.

The C Main saw the fast Darren Mollenoyux start out of fourth place and move up to third to make the transfer to the back of the B Main.

The B Main saw Sutherland start in the top four, with the race defined by an early crash between front runners Marcus Dumesny and Lisa Walker, who hit the fence hard between turns one and two, with both out of the race.

Subsequently Sutherland was promoted to the front row for the restart and entered a tough battle with Jesse Attard.

However, after pushing hard all race he could only manage a fifth place, not making the A Main final.

Another feature of the night was the super rods, whichput on a stunning display of racing, along with the Victorian standard saloons, with a huge fireworks display finishing the night off.