Pagel Pips Pascoe in Bundaberg Battle
03.10.16…Pam Franz…Super Sedan Association Media Release
Gympie’s Mark Pagel has triumphed in the opening round of the Think Money Super Sedan Championship Series, scoring a narrow win over Matt Pascoe at Bundaberg’s Carina Speedway on Saturday night (October 1). In a race shortened due to time constraints, Pagel held the critical advantage when the chequer appeared after 30 of the scheduled 40 laps had been completed. David O’Keeffe secured his best result in many moons with a third-place finish ahead of Craig Shaw and Steve Jordan.
Dempsie Pails filled sixth spot ahead of Ian Brims and Nicholas O’Keeffe, with Bob McCosker and Glenn Knox completing the finishers. Both Tony Brinkman and Graeme Elliott exited on lap 20, while Brian Grundy, Jack Childs, Sam Grundy and Glenn Boulter expired early in proceedings.
A solid 20-car field fronted for competition but unfortunately for Mark O’Brien, Tim O’Shea, Michael Hally and local lad Josh McLaren, none of them progressed beyond hot laps. It was Pascoe who set the early pace, clocking a best lap of 17.503. O’Brien was the only other driver to dip under 18 seconds, no doubt only serving to make his early exit a bitter disappointment. McLaren was third quickest, with McCosker, O’Shea, Brims, Pagel and surprise packet Sam Grundy next in line.
The opening heat race saw Shaw pounce to beat Pagel and Pascoe, with Pails outpacing Jordan and Brinkmann to win heat two.
In heat three it was David O’Keeffe who preceded the pack at the fall of the chequer, leading home Pails and Pagel. Brims outpaced Pascoe to win heat four, with Rockhampton’s Knox snaring third.
Pascoe downed Nicholas O’Keeffe and Brinkmann in heat five before Pagel wrapped up qualifying with a win over David O’Keeffe and Pails in the final preliminary.
The McCosker Contracting-sponsored feature race saw Pagel, whose Bundaberg bona fides include a runner-up finish in the state championship, assume the lead from the outset. David O’Keeffe slotted into second in the early going, followed by Shaw and Pascoe. On lap seven, Pascoe slipped ahead of Shaw and the following circulation saw O’Keeffe also demoted. However, Pagel proved one hurdle too many for Pascoe and he could not find a way to the front, leaving Pagel to draw on all his experience in securing maximum points. Further back, Jordan also made forward progress from 10th on the opening lap to be running fifth when the early end to proceedings thwarted any further advancement.
The next round of the Think Money Super Sedan Championship Series will be decided at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway on Saturday, October 15.
The 2016/2017 Think Money Super Sedan Championship Series is proudly supported by:
Think Money, Penrite, Ian Boettcher Race Parts, AFCO Shock Doctor, Sweet Chassis, B&J Car Sales, Queensland Speedway Spares, Barnes Drilling
Dominator Race Wear, J&J Bullbars, M&N Car Carriers, McCosker Contracting, Tania’s T’s, Brisbane Truck Centre, Brims Concrete, Ford Wreckers Redcliffe
For Super Sedan news and results throughout the 2016/2017 season, follow the Super Sedan Association on Facebook or visit the SSA website at www.supersedan.com.au