SAUER STORMS TO HOMETOWN VICTORY

Sprintcar feature race placegetters: From left to right it’s third-placed Sam Walsh, winner Mick Sauer and runner-up Luke Stirton. Photo: Tony Powell.

POTTSVILLE’S Mick Sauer staved off the Sydney Sprintcar contingent after he took out the 30-lap feature race at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway, Saturday, November 20.

Sauer drove a calculated race and came from behind to record an impressive local win from runner-up Luke Stirton and third-placed Sam Walsh.

It was a strong drive by Sauer who set the scene early after he took out a heat in one of the fastest times of the night.

“It’s good to get the win especially at Lismore,” a delighted Sauer said in Victory Lane. “There was some good racing tonight and I hope the fans enjoyed the action. It was also good to be back behind the wheel again after only limited racing opportunities due to COVID.”

Sauer’s quickest feature race lap around the tight Lismore Showground bull ring was 13.841 seconds for a speed of 104.039 km/h.

Warren Ferguson started from pole position in the main event and led initially however his race only lasted a couple of laps before he blew a tyre.

Walsh, who had secured the lead just before Ferguson’s withdrawal, led the restart. The race later settled into a pattern as Walsh maintained the front running, however Sauer, after coming out of position five, passed Stirton and moved into second position nearing mid distance.

Then Sauer challenged for the lead and passed Walsh on the low line while soon after Alex Attard spun and hit the safety fence which brought on the yellow caution light. At the green, Sauer led away with Walsh in close pursuit but Stirton was ready to pounce as he chased Walsh.

Further back, Peter O’Neill got under Coby Elliott who was closely followed by Zac Pacchiarotta. Stirton was right with Walsh in an exciting battle for second-placing and made a last lap pass as he secured a runner-up finish.

Walsh was the quickest driver throughout the night after he set the fastest time trial lap with a speed of 118.159 km/h for a time of 12.187 seconds.

He also took out the opening heat of the night, while other heat winners were Ferguson, Mark Attard and Sauer. Ferguson also won the six lap dash. It was a tough night for Mick Saller. According to pit reports, his Sprintcar locked and seized a diff. The mechanical failure occurred before time trials and he was sidelined for the rest of the night.

The sanctioning Sprintcar Association of NSW were delighted with the night and the standard of racing after working closely with promoter Dave Lander in the week leading up to the event. A big crowd attended the second meeting of the season which also featured racing for a variety of other categories.

Other main event winners were: Nathan McGregor (Four Cylinder Sedans), Zac Brimms (Junior Sedans), Max Clarke (Production Sedans), Adam Grill (Street Stocks) and Mason Cattell (Wingless Sprintcars). 

The next meeting will be December 4 featuring the pre-Christmas Kids and Family Spectacular.