WHITTAKER’S AUSTRALIAN SPEEDCAR GP

Feature photo: Mitch Brien holds the inside line on Michael Kendall during AGP heat action at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway, February 4, 2023. Photo by: Tony Powell.

BY: BEN GRIFFEN

Rusty Whittaker took out the 70^th running of the prestigious Australian Speedcar Grand Prix at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway on Saturday, February 4.

He was followed to the chequered flag by runner-up Nathan Smee and third-placed Kaleb Currie.

In view of the fact this event carries so much history and tradition, first run in 1938, the car count was a little down on expectations.

However the 18 drivers who attended put on a great show befitting this very important event.

With the weather in Lismore playing its part, it was great to see the sun peaking through the clouds and it was all systems go.

Once again the fans quickly filled the stands as the mighty Midget-Speedcars cars rolled out onto the Lismore Showground venue for engine starts.

The format for the night would see drivers contest four heats, followed by a pole shuffle, and then the big one – a 40-lap main event to determine the 2023 AGP Champion!

Heat race results were:.

Heat 1 winner Q11 Charlie Brown; Heat 2 winner Q56 Rusty Whittaker; Heat 3 winner #37 Brock Dean and Heat 4 Winner Q51 Boyd Chaffey.

With all the heats completed, the top eight drivers contested a pole shuffle to determine who would start the main event from the pole position.

In the end, the Q11driven by Charlie Brown came out on top and was awarded the all-important position one starting spot for the 70th running of the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix.

The A-main race was one hell of a show and nearly went the entire 40-lap distance without any stoppages, however, with about 6 laps remaining, pole sitter Charlie Brown spun in turn four bringing on the yellow lights.

The last six laps went by quickly and in the end, Rusty Whittaker crossed the finish line ahead of Nathan Smee and Kaleb Currie.

Australian Speedcar GP winner for 2023 Rusty Whittaker tells the fans from victory lane how it feels to win one of the oldest speedway events in the world. Photo by: Tony Powell.

Whittaker was thrilled with the win and was very happy to see his name go onto such a prestige trophy. “It’s a wonderful honour to win this prestigious event and have my name on the honour roll,” he said in victory lane.

Other main event race winners on the night were.

RSA Four Cylinder Sedans: Shanae Smith; F500 Juniors: Blaxx Caton; Production Sedans: Stephen Hogan and Modlites winner of the Kevvie Cup, Rodney Pammenter.

The next race meeting at the Home of Champions, Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway is February 18.