MOUNT Gambier speedway driver Mitchell Broome has continued his impressive season form with a win in the Avalon Invitational wingless sprint feature on Saturday night.
Broome had to contend with a tough racing surface, a break in the feature race after a major roll over and a big field chasing him down towards the end of the night.
It was his first feature win at Avalon Raceway, after previously grabbing two podium finishes there.
“I was very happy with the result,” an elated Broome said.
“It was the invitational we ran third in last year – we got another invite this year and had a pretty good run.”
To gain a position in the field drivers need to have won a feature race in the Victorian series the year previous, or be invited to run.
“There were about 12 drivers who had won a feature race, with only eight spots left,” Broome said.
“I had not won a feature in Victoria last year, but I got one of the other spots.
“Now I have cemented myself into it for next year.”
However, the night was anything but easy, with a tough track proving difficult for drivers.
The conditions saw a distinct line form low, making it tough for drivers to pass.
Broome started out of third place so had plenty to do to stay at the front and pass the leading cars.
His opportunity came after a restart from a major accident in the shortened race.
“Our race was cut back by seven laps,” Broome said.
“Seven laps in there was a massive roll over and they had to fix the fence, then there was a 20 minute wait until we got back in the cars.
“Before the restart I was not really as fast as Todd Hobson, but at the restart he made a few mistakes and I capitalised on it.”
But while Broome claimed the lead, Hobson hit back after a simple mistake from the Mount Gambier driver.
Broome then returned serve and held on to the finish.
“There were about five laps to go and I did not want to mess it up again,” Broome said.
“I just made sure I did not make any more mistakes, I stuck to the bottom because no one was going to be able to pass around the outside and tried not to hit the rough or get too excited before the end.”
The win comes on the back of an excellent start to Broome’s season.
He puts that down to some work on the car and the extra confidence that brings.
“Dad and the crew have had the car dialled in,” Broome said.
“It has been pretty easy to drive lately, so I just have to do my bit and not make any mistakes.
“I am very confident in the car at the moment and I will be happy if I keep getting results like this.”
Broome said it also helps that he has qualified higher up the grid and performed well through the heats this season.
“Last season we struggled early in the night,” he said.
“This year dad has made a few changes and it has worked out well.
“It has made qualifying a lot easier and I have not lost a position in a heat race.
“The lowest I have started this year is fourth and I have not finished worse than second.”
