Former Australian Champion Kevin Purton showed that he will be a force at this year’s National Championship as he claimed the 35 lap JD Couriers supported A-main at Speedway City last night which incorporated round 9 of the Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series. The Tasmanian started the final from the pole position, after top qualifier Sam Hughes elected to start on the outside of the front row, and once he made the pass for the lead on lap five he was never headed although he was hounded for a majority of the race by current National and Series Champion Darren Kane.

Despite running door to door with Purton and pressing for the lead for close to 25 laps Kane had to settle for third after a late race surge from New South Welshman Clayton Pyne saw the fiery youngster claim a dramatic second placing ahead of Kane and fourth placed Dave Gartner, who was the best of the local contingent. Current Series leader Matt Pascoe seemed to struggle a little on the ultra fast hooky racetrack and only managed to move up one spot throughout the main event to salvage sixth from his fourth row starting position.

Earlier in the night the heat action was fast and furious with very few stoppages which was a credit to the driver’s abilities behind the wheel of these awesome V8 race cars. Credit for the intense on track action must also go to track curator Jeff Harris who served up one of the best track of the season so far despite all nine heat races being run in complete daylight.

The heat victories went the way of Purton (2), Kane, Hughes (2), Steve Jordan, Pascoe, Wayne Brimms and Gartner while Ash Bergmeier claimed the shortened B-main event.

The 360ci Sprintcars were also on hand in a supporting roll with Northern Territorian Alan Barlee completely dominating the night as he claimed both heat races, the 15 lap final along with resetting the 1 lap track record to 12.66 seconds. Second across the line was Michael Burford with Jason McIver finishing in third. Earlier in the final McIver was sent back two spots for passing on the infield therefore he fought back extremely well to finish on the podium.

The next event at Speedway City will be next Saturday night (January 30) with the running of the 2010 Jack Daniels Racing Australian Sprintcar Nationals featuring the likes of Tatnell, Dumesny, Farr, Lines, Murcott, Reidy, Caunt, Mann, Dillon, Cobby, Lacey and Americans Danny Smith, Jason Johnson and Wayne Johnson.

The podium at Speedway City

Feature winner Kevin Purton