By Trevor Jackson
THE time-honoured Kings Challenge Sprintcar meeting almost went off without a hitch last week at the Borderline Speedway.
James McFadden continued his usual impressive form with a win in the A Main feature race, despite a short delay when a slight disruption to the mains power in the region saw the venue plunged into darkness just nine laps into the 30-lap feature.
That left the field to pull up safely in the dark, which was achieved with only minor issues, before a restart to complete the race.
McFadden held off a strong field, finishing ahead of Lachlan McHugh, with Jamie Veal filling the final podium position.
McHugh was in the lead when the lights went out, then continued in front for some 10 more laps before McFadden made his move.
Unfortunately Scott Enderl and Glen Sutherland failed to make the A Main after finishing ninth and 13th respectively in the B Main.
Steven Lines was the best of the Limestone Coast drivers with a ninth place finish in the A Main after winning a heat earlier in the night, while Daniel Pestka failed to finish the A Main.
Speedway president Cary Jennings said he was pleased with how the meeting panned out and paid tribute to the professionalism of the drivers when the lights went out.
“The power didn’t go off completely, just flickered, but because the track lights take 20 minutes to cool down and restart we had to wait for that,” he said.
“The only thing that was shining was the moon – it was total blackness.
“The lights in the canteen and corporate boxes came back on straight away but we had to wait for the track lights.
“The drivers did an extremely good job – I think one might have tagged the wall slightly with a tyre but with no damage.
“They would have been doing 140kph when it happened and they stopped within 30 feet.
“It was an excellent job by a high-calibre field with 18 cars on the track.”
Overall Jennings said it was an excellent night of racing and while there was not a huge number competing, the quality was exceptional.
The top 10 placings reveal some of the best drivers in the country, with only Western Australia not represented.
That included Ian Madsen who had recently returned from America after some good results there.
The Covid-19 pandemic had some impact on the numbers but Jennings said the club simply looked to push ahead.
“Covid has given us a bit of grief over the last two years but we have pushed our way through it and done what the regulations require,” he said.
“I was pleased with the night and the patrons who came along to support us.
“The whole team at the Borderline Speedway needs recognition for what they achieve each meeting.
“What we love about our volunteers is they come every meeting and do what they have to without any arguments.
“I am very proud of the volunteer base we have that runs the Borderline Speedway.”
Kings Challenge results: James McFadden, Lachlan McHugh, Jamie Veal, David Murcott, Carson Macedo, Marcus Dumesny, Robbie Farr, Matt Egel, Steven Lines, Ryan Jones, Ian Madsen, Ryan Newton, Callum Walker, Joel Heinrich.
