Another story book ending to Round 9 of the Eureka Garages and Sheds Sprintcar Series at Hamilton’s Western Speedway saw Terry Rankin claim his first ever A-main win with a calculating drive to cleverly stay ahead of runner up Jordyn Charge with Matthew Reed speeding into third place.

Despite leading the series points heading into last night’s round at Western Speedway, Rankin was still yet to taste the ultimate success by winning a series round however all that was changed last night when he crossed the line first at the wheel of the VA29, PJS Motorsport Sprintcar.

A relieved Rankin collected the first prize trophy and plenty of congratulatory hugs from his loyal team and car owner while importantly Rankin kept the series points ticking over as he masterfully won the Gold Shootout to start the 30 lap A-main from pole position with high points man Jordyn Charge alongside on the front row courtesy of his runner up result in the in the Shootout.

Relief was an understatement with a number of late race cautions throwing plenty of drama into the mix with an abrasive surface courtesy of a string of hot days leading into the event, causing every driver to make sure they paced themselves to make the race distance while still having enough rubber left to make the finish.

At the drop of the green the race lasted half a lap before Leigh Mugavin upended the VA22 on the back straight, ending what had been a solid night for Mugavin as he continues to show plenty of ability.

From the drop of the green once again there was a good stint to almost half race distance that saw the yellow lights come on for David Aldersley who tagged the wall and spun to a standstill with the leaders surrounding him.

Rankin was pacing himself and Charge was in pursuit with Reed slotting quickly into third ahead of Grant Stansfield with Dennis Jones following in fifth ahead of Cam Waters, Daniel Pestka, Jordy Rae, Brayden Parr and B-main transferee Mitch Smith.

At the restart there was another solid green lap run with Rankin leading a close following Charge who was pressing hard however Rankin was conserving his pace to slow the race down as he approached the back markers.

Cameron Waters was very much a factor as he raced into the top 5 and set off after fourth placed Stansfield.

The race changed dramatically with five laps to run when Jordy Rae was the first to exit with a flat right rear while running in tenth.

At the restart, Rankin maintained the lead to accept the white flag before the yellow’s came on for Sprintcar rookie Dane Court who’s debut went exceedingly well at his home track advancing from the B-main to make the A-main in his first attempt.

Again the restart saw Rankin lead away and once again he accepted the white flag only for the red light’s to come on when Chris Solomon, Ashley Cook, Adam King and Court were all involved in a turn 3 incident with all drivers managing to exit their machinery unhurt.

This would be the final restart of the race as Rankin would speed to a popular win despite all the efforts of Charge who was mighty in his pursuit of Rankin however had to settle for the runner up spot.

In third Matthew Reed drove a great race with Cameron Waters finishing a very strong fourth ahead of Stansfield in fifth.

Sixth home was Tim Hutchins who earlier in the night transferred from the B-main, just as he claimed the sixth finishing position ensuring he would start the A-main from 18th on the grid. Simply a brilliant drive to salvage what had been a roller coaster of an evening for the popular Tasmanian wheel man.

Seventh home was Brayden Parr ahead of Mitch Smith, Peter Doukas and Adam King in tenth.

Just outside of the top 10 was Dane Court finishing ahead of Dennis Jones.

Ashley Cook, Chris Solomon, Daniel Pestka, Jordy Rae, David Aldersley and Leigh Mugavin all registered a DNF.

Earlier heat race wins were won by Adam King, Jordy Rae and David Aldersley who performed extremely well under enormous pressure from his rivals who all had a shot at him for the win.

The B-main went the way of Chris Solomon who sped by race long leader Leigh Mugavin late in the 15 lap journey to claim a spot in the A-main.

Kicking off the night Brayden Parr, Jordyn Charge and Grant Stansfield all went fastest in their qualifying groups with Parr’s 13.554 second lap the best of the three times.

The Eureka Garages and Sheds Sprintcar Series now looks to Sunday night, March 12 at Portland’s Southern 500 Speedway when the series contests round 10.

Full race results can be viewed under results at www.sravic.com or at www.sprintcarworld.com.au

Eureka Garages and Sheds Series nightly contingency awards:

Avalon Raceway drivers draw: ($50) – V64 David Aldersley
Aidan Freeman Photography: ($60 Voucher) – V63 Kevin reeves
D&F Racing products: Hard luck of the night – VA22 Leigh Mugavin
C&H Trucking: Top Points Scorer ($100) – V60 Jordyn Charge
Steelpipes Australia: 1st competitor not to transfer from B to A-Main ($100) – VA14 Harry Ross
IDIGIT – Winner of the B Main ($200) – V83 Chris Solomon
Hoosier Tires WAV 100: A Main feature winner, WAV R/Rear Winner ($100):
VA29 Terry Rankin $100 plus $50 for Left Rear Hoosier.

End of Series awards:
Lumbar Transport - End of Series most heat wins – V72 Jacob Smith, (3 Wins)
G&C Forestry - most cars passed in the A-Main on the night. T7 Tim Hutchins
(12 cars)
(End of series award) Most cars passed overall – T7 Tim Hutchins (36 cars)
Eliminator Race Wings – for the driver that transfers the most from the B Main to the A Main event the most. Overall, T7 Tim Hutchins. (4 Times)
(In the event of a tie the driver with the most points in the Series wins)
Eureka Garages & Sheds major sponsor of the Series overall prize money Poole.
C & H Trucking sponsor in the top ten award.
Camden Neon Signs – sponsors of the Series Prize Poole + in the top ten award
Award – Top ten random draw at the Presentation Dinner.
G&C Forestry - for drivers finishing between 11th and 20th place in the Series. Random draw at the Presentation Dinner $1500 to the winner.
Parr Motorsports –Drivers Driver award as voted on by the drivers in the Series. (End of Series award)

Eureka Garages and Sheds Series – Indy Race Parts Top 10:
1st – Terry Rankin – 2771
2nd – Matthew Reed – 2682
3rd – Tim Hutchins – 2483
4th – Jordan Rae – 2469
5th – Ashley Cook – 2435
6th – Chris Solomon – 2360
7th – Braydan Parr – 2139
8th – Grant Anderson – 1905
9th – Jordyn Charge – 1793
10th – Mitchell Smith - 1644

G&C Forestry (End of Series random draw between 11th & 20th place)
11th – Eddie Lumbar – 1589
12th – Brett Milburn – 1587
13th – Kevin Reeves – 1535
14th – Corey McCullagh – 1535
15th – David Dennison – 1485
16th – Bobby Daly – 1469
17th – David Aldersley – 1467
18th – Grant Stansfield – 1440
19th – Adam King - 1326
20th – Andrew Hughes – 1167

The Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria thank the following Eureka Garages and Sheds Sprintcar Series and season partners:
EUREKA GARAGES & SHEDS, G&C FORESTRY, MAX DUMESNY MOTORSPORT, HOOSIER TIRE AUSTRALIA, CAMDEN SINGAGE & BUILDING SERVICES, C & H TRUCKING, PARR MOTORSPORTS, STEELPIPES AUSTALIA, LUMBAR’S TRANSPORT, AVALON RACEWAY, IDIGIT, D&F RACING PRODUCTS, ELIMINATOR RACE WINGS, COREY GIBSON PHOTOGRAPHY, MAXAM PRINTING, SPRINTCARWORLD, AIDAN FREEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY.

Eureka Garages & Sheds www.eurekagarages.com.au
Hoosier Tires Australia www.mdmotorsport.com.au
Camden Signage & Building Services www.camdenneon.com.au
Steelpipes Pty Ltd www.steelpipes.com.au
Lumbars Transport www.lumbars.com.au
Eliminator Race Wings www.crossmotorsport.com
Parr Motorsports www.parrmotorsport.com
Avalon Raceway www.avalonraceway.com.au
Corey Gibson Photography www.gibsonphotography.com.au
Sprintcarworld www.sprintcarworld.com.au
Maxam Printing www.maxamprinting.com.au
G & C Forestry https://www.facebook.com/gcforestry
Aidan Freeman Photography https://www.facebook.com/AidanFreemanPhotography/
D & F Race Products
C & H Trucking
IDIGIT