THEY HAD BUCKLEY’S CHANCE OF BEATING HIM AT CULLEN BULLEN

Feature photo by: Lone Wolf photography…Round  seven winner Adam Buckley

Written by: Dean Thompson
DMT Sports Media
For NSWGPMRA

The New South Wales Grand Prix Midget Racing Association made the trip out to Cullen Bullen recently for round seven of the Gulf Western Oil Super Series.

Leaders of the Portland Speedway Club Ray and Sue Healy along with their team of volunteers have transformed the Cullen Bullen Speedway with amazing fencing, lighting, track widening and facility improvement and there is no doubt the track is about to boom with regards to classes and fans it will be able to attract. On Saturday a full program, with GP Midgets supported by Vintage Sprintcars, Compact Speedcars, Restricted Sedan Association (RSA) Sedans, RSA Street Stock and Fender Benders.

The New South Wales Grand Prix Midgets had some important visitors to the pit area of the class and were graced with the presence of Max Bradburn – NSW GP Midget Title winner in the early 70s and part of the “Dynamic Duo” alongside his teammate, Wally Kermond. It was just amazing seeing Wally and Max together and sharing a laugh, reminiscing about so many great memories in Grand Prix Midgets.

Gavin Black, a very experienced racer, ex-Sprintcar Feature Winner and current Lightning Sprint/Compact Sprintcar competitor made a debut for the Grand Prix Midget class in the White Ant Racing car supplied by Gary Bowyer. Black competed in two classes on race night campaigning his Compact Speedcar and jumping in and out of both cars through the whole night.

The line-up was settled for the feature race with highest point scorers starting from the rear of the field as per club rules for the Gulf Western Oil Super Series. Black started from pole position alongside him was Lea Jnr, then Buckley, Bowyer Snr, Lea Snr and Bowyer Jnr (NSW 50 – WAR Chassis – Suzuki GSXR 1000). For the feature event with all six cars starting, it was going to be a case of all the big guns behind getting track position and making a clean start.

The feature had a hectic start when Lea Snr out of position five couldn’t clear his son, Lea Jnr and this saw Lea Snr climb the inside rear of the Lea Jnr, causing a flat outside rear tyre on the Lea Snr’s car ending his race on Lap two. Up front at the front end of the field, Black took advantage of his experience and starting from pole position to take a lead with a break back to Buckley, who managed to finally get a solid start to a race for the evening, moving into second.

Bowyer Snr (NSW 5 – WAR Chassis – Yamaha R1), then closely followed snapping at Buckley’s heels, with Bowyer Jnr right in the mix followed by Lea Jnr. With some spring water coming up through the track surface in turns one and four the track surface had deteriorated with some deep ruts forming through the centre of the race lines (despite the welcome and valiant efforts of the track crew). This made for some hectic moments and difficult driving, yet the GP rocket pilots didn’t let up, keeping the race pace fast.

With Black leading the way, Buckley (NSW 67 – WAR Chassis – Kawasaki ZX12 1200) moved up close behind and waited patiently for a mistake, which came on lap five when Black entered the Grand Canyon (rut) in turn four, giving Buckley the chance to make an inside pass into first. Buckley now leading from Black, Bowyer Snr, Bowyer Jnr and Lea Jnr. A blanket could have been thrown over the front four race cars, with the racing fast and volatile. The final lap saw Buckley take his second ever career feature race win, Gavin Black second in his first ever GP Midget feature race and Gary Bowyer third place to round out the podium. Riley Bowyer and Tyler Lea completed the race in fourth and fifth.

With win number two notched up, Buckley remarked after the race: “I’d like to thank my supporters, my wife Angela Buckley & Beesafe Travel, Luke Geelan from Shore Hire, Ben Vicary from Gulf Western Oil, Gary & Amanda Bowyer from Arjan Motors, ASCT, Penrith City Tyres & Automotive, Control Hire, Infinity Finance Solutions and B&B Graphics.

Also, our NSW GP Midget Club Sponsors Gulf Western Oil, Arjan Motors and West Sydney 4×4. I’m buzzing to get a feature win for the first time in this #67 GP Midget, couldn’t have done it without the help of Wally Kermond, my crew chief and of course White Ant Racing – they do an awesome job for the Club and for myself personally, it just makes such a big difference. Thanks also to Cullen Bullen Raceway, we love racing here”.

Photo: Adam Buckley. Lone Wolf Photography.

The New South Wales Grand Prix Midget Racing Association thank their season sponsors;
Gulf Western Oil
Arjan Motors
White Ant Racing
Beesafe Travel
AOK Trophies
Full Throttle Publishing