From Gavin White
The 29th running of the Essendon Ford President’s Cup was run and won for the third consecutive time by Brooke Tatnell on Wednesday night, January 20. The battle behind him left nothing to the imagination with young gun James McFadden hanging it all out in an awesome attempt to real in the speedy Tatnell. “AJ” Wayne Johnson rounded out the podium with Robbie Farr hot on his heals ahead of fifth finishing Shane Stewart.
A racy surface provided multiple grooves as the leaders negotiated traffic with Tatnell edging his way clead on each occasion with McFadden’s speed enough to real in the leader. Tatnell’s supremacy eventually prevailed with him taking a deserving victory.
Tatnell highlighted the fact that the pressure for points was off tonight and the different approach to ‘one off races’ as opposed to championship points collected on World Series Sprintcars.
“We came out here, tried a few things and had some fun. This track is a track that we like, it suits my driving style and we got the job done tonight by man handling the car”.
“There’s nothing better than Sprintcar racing, and we can prove races like tonight are a spectacle compared to any form of sport.”
Tatnell heaped praise on his youthful pursuer as he claimed, “McFadden is the best young talent getting around and he’ll be up here for a long time, he’s a good hard racer and he’s smart.”
Second placed McFadden who drove with consistency in an all out attempt to reel in Tatnell was happy with his new Cool Chassis put together as late as yesterday. McFadden is still a youthful 20 years of age and claimed lapped traffic was the only thing in the way.
“I’m pretty happy with the way things went. Scott Milling and the boys from Totally Workwear were here tonight and this ones for them”.
The youngster is no doubt his own biggest critic and considers that he’s “been around long enough to stick with Brooke so hopefully I can do that in races to come too.”
Knoxville, Iowa’s Wayne Johnson was the sole American on the podium racing for Victorian car owner Brett Smith after starting on the front row alongside Tatnell.
“We’re way ahead of where we were last year and I have to thank Brett and all his guys for having me back this year after wrecking all their gear last year.”
“A lot of preparation has gone into getting here, I’ve been trying to get physically fit to make sure I’m in the best condition to race and tonight’s a good sign that we’ll be there in nights to come.”
Robbie Farr, Jamie Veal, Danny Smith, Paul McMahon, Brett Milburn, Nick Lacey, Steven Lines, Matthew Read, Simon Van Ginneken, Ryan Davis and Domain Ramsey rounded out the finishers.
Stephen Bell, John Vogels and Glen Sutherland all ended their nights on the infield unable to complete the time honoured event.
A stout line up in the B-main saw Tennessee ace Paul McMahan, Domain Ramsey, Steven Lines and Nick Lacey successfully transfer into the A main. A thrilling battle ensued between fifth and sixth place finishing Kerry Madsen and World of Outlaw star Terry McCarl who were unable to make the transfer into the main event.
Heat race wins went to Ryan Davis, Glen Sutherland, Domain Ramsey, John Vogels, Matthew Reed and Brooke Tatnell respectively
Heat two was full of action with Luke Dillon bringing on the red lights when he rolled over under caution. Contact with Kerry Madsen while the yellows were out for a separate incident left both drivers unable to start the heat, Madsen taking a mechanical defect flag with a flat right rear in an attempt to collect points.
Quick time for the evening went to none other than local ace, Matthew Reed with a time of 12.429 seconds.
Australian Cricket legend Merv Hughes was on hand and was left astounded at the speed of the Sprintcars at Avalon Raceway. Hughes was a welcome addition to the presentations along with Essendon Ford dealer principle David Dickson.
Next Event – Saturday Jan 30th – V8 Dirt Modifieds, Modified Production Sedans, Speedcars
Website; www.avalonraceway.com