MARK PLAISTED / BEN PITT WIN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SIDECAR TITLE

Mark Plaisted and passneger Ben Pitt – 2022 SA Sidecar Champions. Photo: Judy Mackay.

By Mark Neale

Reigning Australian Champions Mark Plaisted and passenger Ben Pitt won their third South Australian Sidecar Championship in four years at Gillman Speedway Saturday night, February 26.

It was Plaisted’s fifth state title victory of his career.

In a night full of action, drama and exciting wheel to wheel racing, Plaisted/Pitt won the all important four rider, four lap final ahead of last year’s division two champions Kane Golding/Isaac Amos (second), Mark Mitchell/ Tony Carter (third) and defending titleholder and top point scorers going into the final, Mick Headland/Brenton Kerr (fourth) after they were excluded for having two wheels infield.

Headland/Kerr topped the scorechart after the 20 qualifying heats with 14 points – four wins and a second. The duo were going for back to back wins and appeared to be the fastest on the night.

Plaisted/Pitt (four wins and a third) finished the qualifying heats with 13 points, while Golding/Amos scored 12 points (three wins,a second and a third) to book their spot in the final.

Mitchell/Carter also scored 12 points (three wins, a second and a third), but had to win the semi to make the final.