McClure tames Beare for Blue Lake Classic victory

THE Street Stocks Blue Lake Classic topped off a top night of racing at the Borderline Speedway on Friday, with a big field set to contest the annual event.

The Limestone Coast had plenty to cheer for, with Australian champion Anthony Beare on the pace from the outset.

Beare came through the field in typical style to claim a heat win, while Jason Duell, Jayden Edwards and Steve Gartner were all at the pointy end in another heat.

Likewise, Mark Jennings claimed a heat win with a flag-to-flag victory, despite some tough challenges along the way.

Beare qualified off the front of the grid for the A Main feature race, with Jennings back on the second row and Gartner a further row back.

The format saw the field head anti-clockwise for 15 laps, before turning around and racing clockwise to the chequered flag.

Beare had his hands full from the start, with Brad McClure right on the pace.

After 13 laps a spin closed the field up and Beare was back to second place, while Jennings still held down fourth spot.

With eight laps remaining in the first section McClure had skipped out to a handy lead, but with lapped traffic coming into play, Beare pushed hard on the high line and claimed the lead as the laps wound down.

However, with the change of direction, despite a good start from Beare, McClure claimed an early lead and it was a matter of catch-up for Beare.

McClure used his pace at the bottom of the track, while Beare persisted with a high line.

With two cautions in as many laps, Beare was again in the box seat, reclaiming the lead, only to be passed again by the determined McClure.

In a dramatic twist, Beare and Jennings came together late in the race after the latter had sustained damage and limped around the track.

Beare lost both door panels down the left side of his car as a result.

However, he pushed on and drove to second place behind McClure, with Michael Clarke home in third.