Post by administrator on Feb 23, 2011 22:59:53 GMT 1
By Steve Magro
American Davey Ray wins third Australian Speedcar Championship
At Lismore Speedway American ace Davey Ray had luck fall his way in winning the 2011 Australian Speedcar Championship. Adam Wallis finished runner-up whist Kiwi Michael Pickens placed third.
Earlier, top qualifier Harley Bishop (starting from pole) streaked away from the field and at one stage lead second-placed Pickens by half a lap. Alas, latter in the race this approach would harm his chances.
Said Ray (courtesy of Ben Graham): “I don’t mind taking a few chances of losing a few spots but I lost quite a lot and I thought that was the end of it.” He languished well back, saving his tyres as Bishop, using the hardest compound, slowed and blew a tyre with 13 laps remaining.
Out went Bishop as New Zealand champ Pickens shot to the front. With 10 laps to go Ray was still outside the top six before he began to close on Wallis and Kiwi Michael Kendall.
At the start of the final lap the American had moved up to third place, but one would have been forgiven for thinking a third win would be out of his grasp.
At this point Pickens slowed to the inside line, baulking Wallis just as Ray seized his chance to drive around the outside: “I saw Pickens blow a tyre going into turn one and they were all scrambling and not knowing where to go. Adam Wallis would have finished the race in front of me had Pickens not dived to the bottom and tried to protect his line, but the door opened up and I shot through with enough tyre to win.”
In winning the title for a third time Ray surpassed the feats of his countryman Bob Tattersall. Ray also did so at the wheel of a composite V8 consisting of two Kawasaki motorcycle heads mounted to one crankcase.
In fourth was Travis Mills, followed by Todd Waddell while other fancied contenders withdrew throughout the 40-lap journey. During the latter stages tyre wear took its toll on Scott Glazenbrook and Matt Smith (both while in contention near the front), while defending champ Nathan Smee pulled out at the half way stage. Mark Brown and Todd Wanless also crashed out early.
All night the track was slick with outside passes hard to come by, unlike the previous nights qualifying when drivers often chose the high line, particularly on turn four. That all changed the following night, however, with Davey Ray, Mark Brown, Scott Glazenbrook, Matt Smith and Neville Lance all coming to grief whilst trying to negotiate the outside line on turns one and two.
In this the 70th running of the event, a welcome addition to proceedings was Grand Marshall Steve Raymond who’s work in the announcers box was second to none. Also to commemorate the passing of respected historian the inaugural Bill Lawler Trophy, for the Pole Shuffle, went to top qualifier Harley Bishop.
(photo by Steve Magro)
American Davey Ray wins third Australian Speedcar Championship
At Lismore Speedway American ace Davey Ray had luck fall his way in winning the 2011 Australian Speedcar Championship. Adam Wallis finished runner-up whist Kiwi Michael Pickens placed third.
Earlier, top qualifier Harley Bishop (starting from pole) streaked away from the field and at one stage lead second-placed Pickens by half a lap. Alas, latter in the race this approach would harm his chances.
Said Ray (courtesy of Ben Graham): “I don’t mind taking a few chances of losing a few spots but I lost quite a lot and I thought that was the end of it.” He languished well back, saving his tyres as Bishop, using the hardest compound, slowed and blew a tyre with 13 laps remaining.
Out went Bishop as New Zealand champ Pickens shot to the front. With 10 laps to go Ray was still outside the top six before he began to close on Wallis and Kiwi Michael Kendall.
At the start of the final lap the American had moved up to third place, but one would have been forgiven for thinking a third win would be out of his grasp.
At this point Pickens slowed to the inside line, baulking Wallis just as Ray seized his chance to drive around the outside: “I saw Pickens blow a tyre going into turn one and they were all scrambling and not knowing where to go. Adam Wallis would have finished the race in front of me had Pickens not dived to the bottom and tried to protect his line, but the door opened up and I shot through with enough tyre to win.”
In winning the title for a third time Ray surpassed the feats of his countryman Bob Tattersall. Ray also did so at the wheel of a composite V8 consisting of two Kawasaki motorcycle heads mounted to one crankcase.
In fourth was Travis Mills, followed by Todd Waddell while other fancied contenders withdrew throughout the 40-lap journey. During the latter stages tyre wear took its toll on Scott Glazenbrook and Matt Smith (both while in contention near the front), while defending champ Nathan Smee pulled out at the half way stage. Mark Brown and Todd Wanless also crashed out early.
All night the track was slick with outside passes hard to come by, unlike the previous nights qualifying when drivers often chose the high line, particularly on turn four. That all changed the following night, however, with Davey Ray, Mark Brown, Scott Glazenbrook, Matt Smith and Neville Lance all coming to grief whilst trying to negotiate the outside line on turns one and two.
In this the 70th running of the event, a welcome addition to proceedings was Grand Marshall Steve Raymond who’s work in the announcers box was second to none. Also to commemorate the passing of respected historian the inaugural Bill Lawler Trophy, for the Pole Shuffle, went to top qualifier Harley Bishop.
(photo by Steve Magro)