Western Australian Paul Stubber put on a great display of Late Model racing last Saturday night in The Gourmet Chef South Australian Late Model Association Series as he emerged victorious in what proved to be a gruelling 30 lap finale. In what was the final hit out at the Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway before the Australian Title in February Stubber used the event as a test session and following his performance he will return to the venue full of confidence as he attempts to go one better than last season.
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“We decided to run tonight to test out a few things with the set up and to see what the tyre wear maybe like as they have changed the surface since we were last here and it all worked out pretty good” added Stubber.
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Despite leading the race comfortably throughout runner-up Ryan Alexander had the chance to steal the win on the final turn as Stubber slowed but he came up .188 of a second short in what was an unexpected dramatic finish. Third across the line was Victorian Mick Nicola in his tough looking jet black #3 while Steve Vaughan and Queenslander Brett Watson rounded out the finishers.
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Throughout the feature event all eyes were on the #67 of Vaughan as his machine was shedding its body panels with the right-hand side and finally the roof completely coming away leaving debris all over the race track.
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After looking extremely impressive during the heats Newcastle’s Dave Robertson failed to finish the final after breaking something in the rear suspension just short of half way. “I have no idea what it has broken but coming out of turn four I heard a clunk and then the handling went away.� It was a shame we were having a good night, we learnt a far bit for the title. The last time I was here was in an AMCA and the track was a whole lot different” added Robertson shortly after retiring from the race.
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In all a total of 9 cars fronted but the field was quickly reduced to 8 after Darryl Launer damaged his Chev powerplant in hot laps leaving 8 drivers to contest heat 1. The opening heat was an all the way win for Stubber with Robertson, Alexander, Nicola and Vaughan rounding out the top five. Local racer Mark McCarthy was next in his #5M Rocket with Watson and Mildura’s Zac Tyson completing the field.
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Heat 2 saw Robertson turn the tables on Stubber as he won ahead of Stubber and Alexander, with less than 1.8 seconds covering the top three. Vaughan, Nicola, McCarthy, Tyson and Watson followed.
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SALMA would like to thank the following corporate partners for their assistance throughout the 2017/18 Late Model season: Roadside Services and Solutions, The Gourmet Chef, Chris Milton Engine Developments, Gauge Works, Active Batteries, Lonsdale Competition Tyres, Signs On Para, Picko’s Photos, Mental Raceware, Phil Michell Motorsport Media.

SALMA Release by Phil Michell Motorsport Media