The Newsomes Tyres & Mechanical Central Queensland Rumble Formula 500 Series recently concluded at Rockhampton Speedway and it resulted in Brad Metcalfe winning the point standings battle for a second season in a row.

Despite a successful CQ Rumble Series defence,Metcalfe certainly didn’t have the series handed to him on a platter, being behind in the series standings all the way up to the final feature race of the final round.

Utilising the same car that he achieved success in last season, with the only major change to the NQ # 9 P.I Technical Services / Penrite Oil supported carbeing an updated Jettco prepared engine, Metcalfe had no major issues and hisnew engine adapted very well with the older car throughout the series.

With the four-round series being split between Gladstone Speedway and Rockhampton Speedway tracks, Metcalfe had his work cut out to defend his series win and found himself doing the chasing this time around, as opposed to last season when he won the opening four rounds. At the opening round at Gladstone Speedway, officials deemed he had jumped the start in the feature race and sent him ROF. Racing all the way back up to third and challenging for second, he got caught up with another car and dropped back to finish in sixth.

For the second round at Rockhampton Speedway, Metcalfe recorded a fourth-place finish. After initially starting from pole position in the feature race, he missed the set up and faded to finish just off the podium. At the completion of the halfway mark, Brad was 10 points off the lead, sitting in second behind leader and two-time Australian Champion Mick Pronger.

The third and penultimateround, also held at Rockhampton Speedway, saw Metcalfescore his maidenround win of this season’s series. This win was a big confidence boost given mixed fortunes endured during the opening two rounds. It was at this stage the series began to tighten up points wise and left a very close battle for the grand final of the series.

At the fourth and final round, after the heat races, the points were tied between Metcalfe and Pronger heading into the feature race. It was a case of who had the better finishing position out of the pair that would walk away with the series honours.After being previously penalised for jumping the start at the previous round, Metcalfe was a little cautious at the start of the feature race, allowing Pronger to lead the opening three laps, before Metcalfe swept around the outside to grab the lead and run away with the feature race and CQ Rumble Series win.

As one would expect, Metcalfe was rapt to finish his series campaign in a great form and with the series point standings honours.

“I think it’s more satisfying getting the second series win,” said the Moranbah in Central Queensland-based racer, in reference, to his successful CQ Rumble Series defence.

“The car was at its best in the final round and it’s just very pleasing to finish the series off like this. I was going to retire at the end of the season, but I’ve decided that I’m going to try and go again next season and attempt to win three CQ Rumble Series wins in a row.”

The 2017-18 season is far from over for Metcalfe, with the Queensland Title scheduled for his home track of Moranbah Speedway on May 6. Although he will be not competing in the event, electing to ensure everything runs smoothly from a trackpresident’s perspective. Metcalfe will be back in action at the Australian Championship, held at Darwin’s Northline Speedway in the Northern Territory, on the weekend of July 27 and 28.

Metcalfe would like to thank the following season 2017-18 sponsors: P.I Technical Services, Penrite Oil, Rocky Resort, Moranbah Mechanical and Towing, CFMEU Moranbah North Lodge, Bryan Industries, Jettco Developments, Dominator Photography, Thomo’s Race Graphix,Fast Four Media, and PMP Chassis. He would also like to give special thanks to his wife Tracy, his daughters Brooke, Tegan and Emilee, his sons Cody and Blake and his pit crew Vance, Jack, Lakey, Jamie and Krusty.

To find out more about Metcalfe and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Metcalfe Family Racing.

Photo credit: Dean Bramham