Sunshine Coast Visits Blackwater
Sunshine Coast Visits Blackwater…15/05/06…Pam Franz
6 Sunshine Coast based drivers and 1 Rockhampton driver paid a visit to the mining town of Blackwater on 13th May. After many weeks of planning by Mick Koeffer the president of Lions Coal Capital Speedway in Blackwater and myself the weekend was a great success for the Lions Coal Capital Speedway Club and the visiting drivers. A great weekend was had by all who participated. A welcome lunch provided by members of the Blackwater Lions Club was provided on arrival for the visiting drivers and their supporters, giving the locals a chance to inspect the cars and meet the drivers. A short visit to the track to inspect what would be the envy of many promotions on the coast. The total facility is a credit to those involved in speedway in Blackwater.
Rodney and Gordon Midolo, Jim and Russell Cowley, Craig Franz, Darell Retschlag and Justin Smithwick agreed to provide a demonstration of both Super Street and Street Sedan racing for the locals to promote their sections of speedway sedans. 3 rounds of heats and a final were held with the Super Streets clearing out from the Street Sedans on the 590 metre clay track. Due to a broken rack Rodney Midolo was disapppointed to be unable to take part in the final and Gordon Midolo also with steering problems met the fence heavily early in the 15 lap final which enabled Justin Smithwick to have a run away win. Russell Cowley’s final ended with a flat tyre leaving a 3 car cluster finish of Darell Retschlag, Jim Cowley and Craig Franz, as the chequered flag fell it could easily have covered all 3 cars as they crossed the line together.
Less than 30 cars participated in the race meeting including the visiting 7 cars but the spectators were treated to some great speedway action and showed their appreciation by their very vocal applause. Prior to leaving Blackwater on Sunday morning (being Mothers Day) all the visitors took part in the Lions Club Mothers Day breakfast and once again were able to promote speedway to the locals.