Picture: ROBERT LAKE PHOTOGRAPHY
AFTER a long wait Mount Gambier wingless sprint driver Mitchell Broome has officially been crowned the Victorian Wingless Sprint Super Series winner, albeit it in a virtual manner last week.
With the COVID-19 pandemic preventing the usual gathering for the end-of-season awards, it was all announced online.
Broome claimed the Super Series win before the coronovirus closed the season down.
At the virtual awards night he was also announced as the Victorian aggregate points winner, awarded to the driver who claims the most points in all events in the state, apart from invitational races.
The Super Series was held over six rounds, with Broome showing some hot pace throughout, including a victory at Simpson Speedway.
Broome said the Super Series win was special because he set out to win, although did not expect it.
However, the aggregate came as a surprise.
He said with the season cut short there were many more races which he or other drivers could have competed in.
But after the year was called short, Broome was in a comfortable position.
“The aggregate was for all rounds in Victoria, but there were two meetings I did which did not count because they were invitationals,” he said.
“I won by 21 points which was a surprise.
“There were a couple of club shows I did not do, but with the season shortened because of the coronavirus, we missed a lot of races that I probably would not have done.
“Other people would have and that probably helped, but I was still top after the races we did.”
The Super Series demanded commitment from the young driver in his fifth year of competition.
While concentrating on stringing six good rounds together, Broome was in the middle of one of his busiest season, which included the Australian Title in Kalgoorlie, along with other big trips along the way.
He said the Super Series provided a big challenge, with some of the best drivers in the category competing.
He said to win was pleasing.
“You always aim to win – that is the goal every year,” he said.
“I have come third in the series twice now so I was hoping to at least get one step higher.
“To win it was good.”
The category demands smooth, smart driving to extract the most from the cars, which Broome said was a challenge.
With it all behind him and despite the interruption due to the coronavirus, Broome hoped the next season would start on time.
“The way it (coronoavirus) is going everything plans to start up at the normal time,” he said.
“It (the season start) is still about three months away so if nothing goes crazy we might be back.
“Right now I am just working and trying to save some money.”
Broome said he planned to contest the Super Series again to defend his title, along with a few other select events, including the Australian Title at Murray Bridge and the South Australian Title, plus one more challenge.
“Because Sydney Speedway will close down after next season we will go and give Sydney another crack,” he said.
“Last time I was there I did not go too well.”
