The Bairnsdale Speedway Association hosted a New Year’s Eve race meeting extravaganza to entertain motorsport fans prior to the start of 2024.
The winners on the program included Chase Ingram from Warragul, and locals Mal Siely, Alistair Bastian, Josh Thomas and Troy Wilson.
Junior standard saloon competitors competed in the latest points round for the next generation junior standard saloon series with drivers from as far as Melbourne attending the event.
Jack Stewart from the Latrobe Valley claimed a win in the first of three qualifying races, Dylan Sweet having his best race day since he began competing, taking out second.
Chase Ingram took the checkered flag in the third heat, which was delayed after a crash involving Liam Ingram in heat two.
In the 12 lap finale, Chase Ingram led from start to finish, winning from Sweet, Bairnsdale’s Tannah Lee, Tom Braz, and Stewart.
LIMITED SPORTSMAN
Siely won the first heat in limited sportsmen, before Darren Adams who finished second in heat one reversed the result in the second heat race.
Unfortunately most of round three races for all classes had to be cancelled due to serious racing incidents.
The final was raced over eight laps with Siely finishing one and a half seconds in front of Adams, Daniel Hurley, and Chris Woeltjes.
STANDARD SALOONS
It was a similar scenario to the limited sportsman in the standard saloons, with participants competing in two heat rounds and a final.
Winners in round one were Shane Stewart by a huge seven-second margin, Brendan Sheedy, and Gus Argoon.
In round two the winners were Thomas, Stewart and Argoon.
In the 15 lap final, Stewart led early before Thomas sailed past on lap two and that was the last they saw of him, winning from Stewart, Jack Braz, David Streeter, and Jack Yeomans.
SPRINTCARS
Sprintcar action saw a handful of local stars in action with Kyle Stathopoulos joining the fray from Melton.
Alistair Bastian claimed victory in heat one before Koby Noonan claimed the win in the second.
In the 20 lap final, veteran Wiseleigh race driver and farmer Mark Laity, sat in second for much of the race before Noonan passed him to attempt to chase down Alistair Bastian.
Despite Noonan doing his best work late, Alistair Bastian held on to win by .603 of a second in the end from Noonan, Laity, Ethan Bastian, and Rod Dennison.
Continued page 26
From page 28
HOT RODS
The division two hot rods were having an important hit out prior to their upcoming Victorian title at Bairnsdale, with Trafalgar racer Rob Tatterson claimed a terrific win in the first heat race by just .102 of a second in the end from Troy Hutchison from the Latrobe Valley.
Lakes Entrance racer Ben Crittenden rolled his car whilst in third putting him out of the race meeting.
Troy Wilson from Lakes Entrance won heat two by less than half a second before going on to lead throughout in the 10 lap final, defeating Hutchison, Rob Tatterson, Andrew Tatterson, and Melissa Tatterson.
The Bairnsdale Speedway Association is pleased to report that all drivers involved in crashes have since been confirmed as either recovered or sore after medical checks.
NEXT MEETING
The club will host its next meeting on Saturday, January 13, featuring limited sportsman (King of the Rock), division two hot rods, open standard saloons, ladies standard saloons and junior standard saloons.
