INGLIS IS THE MAN

Feature photo by: Cochrane  Photography

The chase for the 2024 Australian Sprintcar Title has begun at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway with James Inglis landing the first blow, but only just.

The 25-lap opening night A Main went down to the wire with Inglis holding off defending champion Jock Goodyer by just 0.160s after the pair had a massive arm wrestle for the win.

Despite a mistake at the start of the final lap bringing Goodyer into the hunt, Inglis prevailed as James McFadden was a notable victim of some late-race drama.

Having been a star in WA, winning a big event at Premier Speedway was a big deal for Inglis.

“I was puffed during those last five laps and just hung on, having these guys on your tail is pretty nerve racking,” he said.

“We have struggled at this place so I am just glad we had good pace and hopefully we can roll it on to tomorrow night.

“I made a few errors in those last two laps and when I saw the white flag I was like ‘I cannot let this go’.

“The treacherous track was brutal out there but that might have worked to my advantage because it was a bit like home.”

With a big 80-car field contesting 14 heats the showpiece race got off to a busy start.

After the time trials and all the heats Brock Hallett emerged with the most points ahead of Inglis with Jamie Veal, Alex Orr, Jock Goodyer and Cameron Waters also showing speed.

The Prelim B Main was a clean affair where Jordyn Charge went unchallenged winning by 2s over Grant Anderson and Daniel Pestka.