From Tasmanian Speedway – tassie.speedway.net.au
Former Tasmanian speedway champion “Tornado”’ Tim Hutchins is back in contention for the prestigious Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series.
The penultimate round of the series was one of three main events on last night’s season ending Essentially Mobile Grand Slam at the Bendigo Bank Arena at Latrobe.
Hutchins, of Sassafras, was a doubtful starter for the penultimate round of the series at the Bendigo Bank Arena at Latrobe last night, but overcame engine dramas to post a solid second in the final and take the lead in the series.
The Coastal driver was without an engine late last week and running second in the series and looking likely to miss out on the Latrobe double-points round, before being offered a lease on a spare engine by rival team-owned Darren Goodyer, of Launceston.
With a new engine on board Hutchins qualified fourth for the 30-lap Latrobe final, while reigning State champion and series leader Kurt Luttrell, started from grid 15 after failing to finish one of his heats.
Pole qualified Damien Robbins, of Devonport, started poorly and was swamped at the start by Launceston’s Jason Dawkins and Hutchins.
Jamie Bricknell, of Launceston and eventual winner Shaun Dobson, of Hobart, also worked past Robbins.
Dobson was sensationally fast and blasted his way through the field to take the lead after only seven laps.
Shortly after taking the lead Dawkins retired in-field with a fuel problem as Dobson continued to set a blistering pace.
Hutchins was able to close in lapped traffic, but Dobson was not about to be denied as he went on to record a well-deserved victory.
Bricknell fought back for a solid third, while Luttrell managed to claw his way back up the field to finish a close fourth, ensuring the series will go right down to the wire with the final round at Carrick this Saturday night.
Smithton’s Ashley House, who was third in the series before the Latrobe round, qualified eighth for the final, but crashed heavily and rolled his car after only six laps, also heavily denting his chances of a series victory.