GOODYER TO THE MAX

Feature photo by: Geoff Rounds… Jock Goodyer in action

Exciting Tasmanian Jock Goodyer pulled off the biggest win of his career at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway, Saturday night December 17, with victory in a drama filled Max’s Race sponsored by Chitticks Bakery.

It was the opening meeting of the season and there was no shortage of action.

From pole position, Goodyer held off a rampaging James McFadden, the defending Max’s Race Champion, while Queensland’s Ryan Newton grabbed his best result at Premier in third. 

It was the seventh running of the annual race that celebrates the speedway career of Max Dumesny, and Goodyer became the sixth different winner, in a 30-lap feature race that had just eight cars finish.

Goodyer, 21, said he was rapt to score a win in what was a challenging race.

“I felt pretty comfortable, as much as I can be on that sort of race track,” he said.

Photo: Top three: From left:  James McFadden, (runner-up), winner Jock Goodyer and third-placed Ryan Newton. Photo by Geoff Rounds.

“We’ll take the good result and roll onto the next one. When I lost the lead at the start, I wasn’t too stressed, it was going to be a long (race). I tried a few things and different racing lines and figured out what would work. Once Jamie (Veal) got past me, I still felt good. I knew I was right with him and close enough to eventually make a move at some point for the lead. For me, it’s good to win here, it’s not been that kind to us.”

Veal’s night started in strong form when he set the fastest overall time trial lap of 10.612 seconds, but it ended while leading the feature with six laps to run when he sustained a flat left rear tyre.

McFadden, driving for newly formed team Hodges Motorsport showed again why he is definitely one of the world’s best drivers as he snared a gutsy top two finish from a 14^th starting position.

“It was all good in the end there, I felt like we had decent speed.

“We tried to throw everything at this here tonight and I feel good now – I feel comfortable, and the car’s fast.”

Reigning Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic winner Lachlan McHugh, Corey McCullagh, Cole Macedo, Brock Hallett and current Australian Sprintcar Champion Marcus Dumesny failed to finish.

It was a dramatic B-Main start when Andrew Hughes flipped on turn three forcing a re-start that saw multiple cars caught up in a huge crash on turn two including Robbie Paton, C-Main winner Tim Hutchins, American Carson Macedo and Jett Bell n his debut race at his home track.

Experienced drivers Luke Dillon, Peter Doukas, South Australian Ryan Jones and Tasmanian Tate Frost finished top-four and earned their spots at the back of the A-Main.

Goodyer won the opening heat of the night from American ace, Cole Macedo and Veal.

Josh Buckingham had his troubles in the opening heat, losing his wing.

V8 Supercars ace Cam Waters, who has again swapped bitumen for dirt in his off-season, collected heat two from Albury’s Grant Anderson and McFadden, who made an early passing move to finish third.

Heat three started with carnage as Kale Quinlan crashed and was taken to the infield.

Newton took the win from Hallett – the quick-time performer in flight two – and Ash Cook.

McHugh held off Dumesny in the fourth heat from Steven Lines and Jordyn Charge. 

Final placings were: Jock Goodyer, James McFadden, Ryan Newton, Steven Lines, Brett Milburn, Luke Dillon, Ryan Jones, Brock Hallett, Jamie Veal, Marcus Dumesny, Grant Anderson, Ashley Cook, Peter Doukas, Will Carroll, Cole Macedo, Lachlan McHugh, Jordyn Charge, Corey McCullagh, Cameron Waters. Tate Frost was disqualified for failing to head to the scales having crossed the line in fourth place.

In the ground pounding Late Models it was an all the way win for Peter Nicola from Brad Smith and Ellis Dickenson in their 20-lap final. It was a good hit-out for all driver with their national title to be held at Premier Speedway February 24 & 25, 2023.

The Junior Formula 500s showcased the future of speedway racing and in the feature, it was won in was won in fine style by Kobi Wright. He had good speed and took the lead from early race leader Zoe Pearce with 10 laps to run with Koby O’Shannassy eventually home second, and third was Rusty Ponting.

The next events at Premier Speedway will be January 1 and 2, 2023.

January 1 is the fourth and final round of Speedweek for Sprintcars, with Speedcars and Junior Sedans as supports while January 2 will be the Victorian Sprintcar Championship with Street Stocks also on the program.