Nicola Doubles Up With Goulburn Win

05/01/2014…Pam Franz…courtesy of NSSS/SSA Media

Michael Nicola has scored back-to-back feature race victories in the 2013/2014 National Super Sedan Series, leading all the way from pole position to clinch round three at Goulburn Speedway on Saturday night (January 4).  For the first time in series history, two brothers shared the podium with Peter Nicola finishing in second spot ahead of Australian Champion Matt Pascoe.

In difficult conditions, Nicola drew on his considerable experience to secure his second pole position start in as many rounds, a qualifying performance that proved crucial in enabling the three-time national champion to lead the somewhat processional event and advance to the top of the championship standings. There was no change to the minor placings throughout the 35 laps, with both Peter Nicola and Pascoe finishing where they started in advance of Lachlan Onley and Dave Gartner, who made some forward progress after starting on the outside of row four and picked up the Supercharge Hard Charger Award for his efforts.
Mark Pagel was next best with another solid outing that now has him placed third overall, with Jason Campbell, Darren Kane, Bill Miller and Tony Barklimore rounding out the top ten.  The two drivers who dared to venture up high on the track found absolutely no joy, with Steve Latham and Michael Doblo ultimately finishing at the back of the field. Local favourite Paul Kranitis exited with a flat tyre while Jack Childs also headed infield after a couple of spins.
With a distinct lack of support from the New South Wales Super Sedan fraternity, it was a small field that fronted for the event. However, the competition was strong as always and heat race wins were shared around once again, with Doblo, Pascoe, Gartner, Campbell and both of the Nicola boys visiting victory lane. However, at the conclusion of qualifying it was Mick Nicola with top three finishes in each of his heats who emerged as the top qualifier. Despite a few minor moments in the preliminaries, including an incident that saw Pascoe and Doblo locked together, all drivers survived to take their place in the feature race field.

Consecutive feature race wins and a 5th-place finish in the opening round has placed Nicola 244 points clear of Doblo in the series standings, with Pagel 65 points further back.  Pascoe and Peter Nicola complete the first five in the championship chase with four rounds remaining.

The next round of the series will be decided at Mount Gambier’s Borderline Speedway next Saturday, January 11. Further rounds are scheduled for Hobart Speedway (January 25 and 26), Mildura’s Timmis Speedway (January 31) and Murray Bridge Speedway (February 1).

2013/2014 National Super Sedan Series Round 3:  1 Michael Nicola, 2. Peter Nicola, 3. Matt Pascoe, 4. Lachlan Onley, 5. Dave Gartner, 6. Mark Pagel, 7. Jason Campbell, 8. Darren Kane, 9. Bill Miller, 10. Tony Barklimore, 11. Steve Latham, 12. Michael Doblo, 13. Paul Kranitis, 14. Jack Childs

2013/2014 National Super Sedan Series progressive pointscore (top 20): Michael Nicola 1506, Michael Doblo 1262, Mark Pagel 1197, Matt Pascoe 1155, Peter Nicola 1127, Darren Kane 1061, Lachlan Onley 988, Jason Campbell 962, Dave Gartner 803, Bill Miller 711, Tony Barklimore 648, Steve Latham 611, Matt Williams 567, Sean Black 508, Jack Childs 470, Gary Pagel 438, Graeme Elliott 395, Dale Christensen 304, Brett Randall 288
The 2013/2014 National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by:

Speedway Australia
Speedway Sedans Australia
American Racer
Oval Express
Super Charge Batteries
JD Couriers
Hoosier Tyres
Queensland Saloon Car Association
SPEED