ANDRA : Local Queensland racers triumph on national stage

Local racers have dominated at Willowbank Raceway’s round of the national Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series on Saturday 11 April, with all but two of the final contenders hailing from the host state.

More than 180 racers came to the event from all over the country, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Queensland.

Taking victory this evening were Beenleigh’s Neil Maxwell (Top Sportsman), Palm Beach’s Chris Tait (Super Comp), Toowoomba’s Dale O’Dwyer (Super Gas), Redbank Plain’s Matthew McKnight (Supercharged Outlaws), Brassall’s Paul Doeblien (Super Sedan), Raceview’s Mark Allan (Modified), Marsden’s Bill Henry (Super Street), Rochedale’s Daryn Schuster (Competition Bike), Anstead’s Chris Collin (Modified Bike) and New Beith’s Eden Ward (Junior Dragster).

Claiming runners-up honours were New South Wales’ Steve Fowler (Top Sportsman), Kallangur’s David Gauldie (Super Gas), Cotswold Hill’s Rodney Hansen (Supercharged Outlaws), Crowley Vale’s Max Carpenter (Super Sedan), Laidley’s Kevin Morton (Modified), Burpengary’s Ben Dreyer (Super Street), Coombabah’s Blair Pennington (Competition Bike), Parkhurst’s Ace Edwards (Modified Bike) and New South Wales’ Toby Austin (Junior Dragster).

In Modified, Mark Allan took on his best friend and engine builder Kevin Morton in the final and won, despite an injury to his knee following a dislocation the week before.

“Kevin is my best mate as well as my engine builder and we raced in the final and we were still talking tactics which is always fun! A big thanks has to go to the Willowbank Raceway staff, officials and commentary team, and also to all the other modified competitors and Knijff Earthmoving,” said Allan.

More two-wheeled action was on show for the fans with Modified Bike, with an amazing final seeing Chris Collin taking the win from Ace Edwards, with Edwards coming off his bike after the finish line. Soon after the run, the dislodged rider was seen walking down the strip to retrieve his bike from its resting place further down the braking area. After being taken to the hospital for precautionary checks, his father Craig Edwards stated that his son “has come off but done no real damage to himself (aside from) a bit of gravel rash and so on, but (that he is) fine and he sends his thanks to everyone for all the well wishes, and to the staff at the end of the track that helped him.” Through his father, Ace also sent his congratulations to the other competitors, including winner Chris Collin.

“I would like to thank my parents first and foremost, without them I wouldn’t be here. Thanks also to the track, it was a great meeting with a great turnout. My commiserations to Ace, it was a great race but that happens, and I would like to see him out here again soon,” said Collin.