A busy week at Avalon Raceway concluded on New Year’s Eve with West Australian Matt Brown winning round 2 of the Oval Express Formula 500 Super Series while the second annual Wingless Sprints Avanats was taken out by David McKay.
A warm afternoon greeted all contestants before Matt Brown sped to his 17th Oval Express Series victories in his storied career as the 2006 Series champion now becomes the winningest driver in OE Series history. Brown’s win snaps the tie with Victorian ‘King of 500’s’ Ken Willsher as he also now sets about winning this year’s championship.
Following Brown home was impressive 24-year old lady racer Jess Moulden who was a popular runner up. An earlier heat race victory ensured Moulden a front row start and she duly run with the best in business recording an excellent finish at a venue that has been kind to her in the past.
Reigning national champion Liam Williams motored into third position and showed the speed the carried him to the Australian Title in April.
Fourth home was impressive series rookie Mitch Whiting who backed up his round 1 podium result with another stunning performance.
Following in fifth was Queensland titleholder Charlie Brown with American Jake Hagopian in tow while Jye O’Keeffe, Chad Sullivan, Leigh Van Ginneken and Mat Turner rounded out the top 10 finishers.
The Avanats provided a close finish when David McKay used the back markers to perfection to steal the victory away from race long leader Peter Green. Showing great speed, Green motored up behind the back markers on the dry, slick track and that’s when Mackay pounced moving to the outside and sweeping to the win.
A number of cautions littered the event however McKay held is nerve and outlasted Green and comeback kid Dan Robson in the run to the line in the entertaining 25 lap Avanats final.
Glenn Jones joined the upside down club earlier in the night while local ace Tim Fisher also sustained heavy damage in a shunt with the back straight wall following contact with a rival in the opening laps of the first heat.
“It has been a long week here at Avalon with Monday’s Sprintcar Gold Cup, Friday’s World Series event and then of course the New Year’s Eve event on Saturday but there was something for everyone and I am sure fans will be pleased following the recent run of washouts,” said Avalon announcer Brian Alexander.
“We wish everyone a happy and safe New Year and look forward to our next event next Saturday night with the annual K Rock Cup for Super Sedans the headline act while the Demolition Derby will also be a major highlight.”
Yet more major events continue at Avalon Raceway in January with next Saturday’s K Rock Cup followed by the Australian V8 Dirt Modified Championship on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th while Wednesday 18th will see the President’s Cup for Sprintcars has attracted a large international field.
Website; www.avalonraceway.com
For more info contact Jeff Drew 0418 160 985 / Gavin White email gwxp@speedway.net.au