FIRST NSW SPRINTCAR WIN AT EASTERN CREEK SPEEDWAY

Feature photo: Marcus Dumesny creates history at Eastern Creek Speedway, November 22, 2022. Photo by: Gary Reid.

SPRINTCAR TRACK SERIES RND 5

Media release: Meg Van Lohuizen 

Australian Champion Marcus Dumesny has become the first driver from New South Wales to win a Sprintcar Feature Race at Eastern Creek Speedway, Saturday, November 26.

The cautions started early, ruling out South Australian visitor Lisa Walker on lap one, who is hoping to make a return to the venue.

“It was a really last-minute trip to come up here, which I’m stoked we did,” she said after the crash.

“It’s a great joint and I think we’ve learnt a lot,

“[We’ll] see how bad the damage is and if we’re back next week.”

Walsh got the jump on the restart before Dumesny slid underneath to claim the lead.

Brock Hallett got the better of Kaidon Brown in the battle for third, before setting his sights on Walsh.

Another restart allowed Hallett to pick up second place, while Dumensy pulled away from the rest of the field.

Dumesny was held up by lapped traffic allowing Hallett to close the gap, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead.

The race leader ran wide with just a few laps to go as Hallett picked up the pace, but a caution helped the young champion regain control.

A quick restart helped Dumesny to his first win since the Australian Championship.

“[It] feels like it’s been a while between drinks,” he said after the race.

“I’ve done 50 odd races since the Australian Championship, it’s definitely good to be back on the top spot.”

Marcus Dumesny (centre) is flanked by third-placed Ryan Newton (left) and feature race runner-up Brock Hallett. Photo: Gary Reid.

Hallett crossed the line second, while a late dash from Ryan Newton secured the final podium place.

Sam Walsh was relegated to fourth, ahead of Kaidon Brown in fifth.

LATE MODELS

Ryan Fenech has made a phenomenal return to Late Models, claiming the Feature Race win at Eastern Creek Speedway.

Daniel Cassidy made a strong start out of pole position, but Fenech wasn’t going to be left behind as they battled side by side on the first lap.

What was looking to be a convincing win for Cassidy quickly turned to heartbreak, when he spun out on lap three.

“The car was nice heading into to turn one, and I just lost all the steering,” he said after the crash.

“Pretty scary on a track like this, but we’ll come back and try again.”

Fenech was in prime position on the restart, pulling away from the rest of the field.

Nathan Herne was looking for his best result in Speedway racing, sitting in third position, but pulled in with 10 laps to go, leaving Tim McPherson in line for the final podium place.

But the battle for the win wasn’t over just yet, as Grimson put the pressure on the Fenech right down to the final lap.

Fenech crossed the line first, but says it was getting tough with Grimson on his tail.

“I don’t know if the car was getting a bit tight, or if I was getting a bit tight,” he said after the race.

Joel Carrig held on for fourth ahead of Ed Borg in fifth.

Shane Belk and Stewart Jordan rounded out the last of the finishers.

COMPACT SPEEDCARS

It was an extraordinary night of racing for Mark Heaton in the Compact Speedcars, after navigating from the back of the grid to claim back-to-back Feature Race wins.

Rhys Birkett took the lead early in the piece before a rollover by Andrew Coppock stopped the race.

Coppock was extricated from the vehicle as a safety precaution and taken to hospital.

“I had all the scans and all is clear,” he said on Sunday.

“The compact didn’t fair so well, but the safety equipment fulfilled its purpose.”

On the restart, Birkett stayed in front leading right up until the final lap.

A monumental drive from Mark Heaton saw him move from 13th on the grid into the podium places.

Last lap confusion saw Birkett relegated to sixth, opening the door for Heaton to claim the race win.

“It’s been a great night of racing down here,” he said after the race.

“This is a really good track, really suits our cars – you can run wherever you want, there’s a lot of room to move around.”

Greg Farrugia held on to finish second, ahead of Matt Reed in third.

Cheyne Williams and Daniel Brown rounded out the top five.

LEGEND CARS

Legend Cars were on track for the first time this season at Eastern Creek Speedway.

A strong start from pole-sitter Liam Camilleri left him as the man to catch.

The battle for second was heating up, as Linden Martin, Adam Parker and Darren Snowden went three-wide into turns three and four.

Parker won the battle, setting his sights on the race leader.

The pressure had no effect on Camilleri, who led from start to finish to claim the feature race win.

“It’s such an unbelievable place, what an honour,” he said after the race.

He acknowledged the battle with Parker, who came home second.

“I could hear [Adam], he’s a tough competitor.”

Darren Snowden held on to finish third, ahead of Linden Martin and Bray Jones.

The next event will be held at Eastern Creek Speedway on Saturday, 3rd December, featuring Sprintcars, Midgets and Wingless Sprints.