Night one of the 2011 Easter Trail at Avalon Raceway presented by Camden Neon Signs was a non affair last night when debris from a Super Rod in their final entered the spectator area and an ambulance was required. With the Sprintcar A-main field lined up on the start chute the management had no option but to cancel the A-main as the venue simply cannot run without an ambulance present.
A healthy crowd enjoyed a huge night of entertainment to that point with some spectacular crashes coupled to some unbelievable racing leaving the fans obvuiously wanting to see the final. The Super Rods were entertaining and the fans also were able to enjoy the Fireworks display and the 4 cylinder Demo Derby before the night ended in the most unfortunate fashion.
“Our concern is for everyone’s safety and that includes drivers and fans,” said Avalon Raceway’s Jeff Drew.
“The Victorian Fire and Rescue squad do a wonderful job for us as do the ambulance teams and St Johns staff that also help us here at Avalon. They quickly attended to the people in need of treatment and that was the right thing to do.”
“With time running out we simply didn’t have time to get another ambulance before the curfew approached. It was a sad way to end but everyones safety is our primary concern.”
“I can’t thank the fans enough for their support and patience throughout the night and even this season on the whole.”
The front row of the A Main was to be headed by Stephen Bell and defending Easter Trail winner Steven Lines. Quick time Shaun Dobson and popular veteran Max Dumesny were hot on their heels from the second row. Fifth and sixth starting position was filled with John Vogels and Carl Ludeman while seventh and eighth was awarded to rookie Jack Lee and Jamie Stark. The fifth row saw Eddie Lumbar and Tim Rankin ahead of Darren Mollenoyux and Glen Sutherland while Matt Egel filled thirteenth.
Damage to Kurt Luttrell’s car saw him not able to start the A Main allowing five cars to transfer from the B Main including Domain Ramsey, Matt Muir, Matt Young, Mark House and Rod Matthews. Nick Lacey exited the B-main in spectacular fashion when he clipped an out of shape Brett Milburn at he start.
Lacey won the C Main and transferred to the B Main along with Paul Jeffery, Danny Pestka and Chris Soloman.
Heat race one was taken out by Luttrell, followed by Dobson and Rankin. The second heat of the night went to Bell ahead of Lee and Tim Morse. Lacey’s night began with a roll over in heat three after contact with lapped cars while running second. Eventual winner was Ludeman from Lumbar and Vogels. The final heat of round one went to Lines ahead of Dumesny and Muir. Veal had been leading heat four before the fire went out and forced the V35 entry infield.
Fastest qualifiers were sent to the rear in the second round of heats and provided plenty of action, everyone vying for the top positions. Heat five was won by Stark ahead of Brett Millburn and Jackson Delamont. Heat six was taken out by Matthews, from Chris Solomon and Mollenoyux and also saw a number of roll overs including Hickman and Luttrell in separate incidents. Ryan Davis took the win in heat seven, beating Ramsey and Rhiannon Burleigh to the line. The final heat race of the evening was won by John Baynes ahead of James McDonald and Mark House.
Night two of the Easter Trail continues on Saturday night at Mount Gambier’s Borderline Speedway before it concludes with night three on Sunday night at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway.
All the Sprintcar action was supported by the Super Rods with heat race wins going to Geoff Leigh, Jason Kavanagh, Darryl Nelson and Adrian Rieck. The final presented by 3CS / MIXX FM Colac was awarded to Kavanagh ahead of Shaun Walsh and Rieck.