Canberra's Gavin Gay overcame a disappointing start to the day last Sunday, recovering to lead all the way and claim the ACT Titles for Compact Speedcars at ACT Speedway.

A spin in the first heat and then withdrawing mid race in the second heat with a vibration in the drive line only served to spur on the quietly spoken proprietor of Ken Kirchner Automotive as he led all of the fifteen laps of the Title race in his Foster/Suzuki GSXR compact speedcar.

The challengers came thick and fast, firstly from Darren Margules in the ex Stephen Birkett Jackson/Mazda, then in the closing stages from Victorian, Johnny Kyriacou who had started out of position 9. Kyriacou drove a sensational race under very difficult track conditions to eventually be right on the rear bumper of the winner at the fall of the checker flag. Margules held off Craig Hickey for third with Rob Eyeington coming in fifth.

The first heat start was aborted after Joe Lostitch ran hot into turn one and backed his Bates/Honda CBR into the concrete wall. Rob Eyeington had his Stealth/Suzuki GSXR flying coming from the rear to take the win ahead of first timer Jamie Laird. Jamie really deflated plenty of ego's charging from his rear of field starting spot, this was his first race in a Compact Speedcar. Third home was Joe Lostitch who recovered from his earlier excursion into the turn one wall. Craig Hickey battled an ill handling Allach/Yamaha R1 to stay in front of Steven Hawksworth in his Stealth/Datsun.

Johnny Kyriacou set a cracker of a pace before the reds came on after Craig Hickey turned over at the bottom of the hill heading into turn three. No real damage was suffered but he still sat out the remainder of this twelve lap race. Tony Aulsebrook showed plenty in his Hombre/Suzuki GSXR reeling in the leader over the closing laps to place second. Rob Eyeington followed his old car home for third. Joe Lostitch came from 8th to place 4th with Darren Margules, having his first drive in the ex Birkett car, coming home fifth. Margules actually started the day in the ex Paul Raynes Yamaha but a reoccurring mechanical issue saw him load it back onto the trailer, tow it home and return with the Birkett car. Luckily Darren only lives two minutes down the road at Queanbeyan.

With only one more run for the season the Compact boys will be preparing for Cullen Bullen on Sunday 26th May for the Presidents Cup.

The photos accompanying this article are courtesy of Maximum Action Photography.

Johnny Kyriacou 2nd, Gavin Gay 1st, Darren Margules 3rd.

Craig Hickey rouds up Joe Lostitch.

Joe Lostitch hugs the bottom as Darren Margules goes high.

Jamie Laird caught plenty by surprise.

Gavin Gay in the immaculately prepared Foster/Suzuki.