Randall Returns to Form in NSSS Round Two
30/12/07…NASR/ASCF Media Release
After an indifferent start to the 2007/2008 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series during round one in Rockhampton, defending champion Wayne Randall bounced back in emphatic fashion with an unbeaten performance during round two at Brisbane International Speedway on Saturday night (December 29). Aboard his new AFCO Shock Doctor Pontiac Grand Prix, Randall started on pole position, led throughout the 35-lap championship feature and has emerged as the series leader.
Following his runner-up result in the rain-shortened opening round, Australian champion Michael Gee was again impressive, starting alongside Randall on the front row and ultimately finishing in second spot. In what was a recurring theme for the night, Gee filled second spot in both of his heats and duplicated that result in the A Dash and Feature Race to emerge second overall in the championship standings.
Victorian youngster Ashley Bergmeier scored a career best result with a fine third place finish, a result that has confirmed his status as one of the most exciting young talents in the division. After qualifying his American Racer Tyres Pontiac Grand Prix on the fifth row of the grid, Bergmeier advanced several positions in the opening laps and spent much of the race engaged in a spirited scrap with Michael Tomkins and Michael Nicola before securing his first NSSS podium result when Jamie McHugh headed infield just three laps from home.
Michael Tomkins was equally impressive in finishing fourth after starting his Hotondo Homes Falcon from position eight. After being relegated two spots for a passing infringement, Tomkins bounced back strongly to regain the positions and secures his best result in national competition.
Bundaberg’s Bevan Collins was the first non-contracted driver home in fifth spot, picking up the Sport Engines Hard Charger Award for his efforts after advancing from position 13. David O’Keeffe was next best ahead of Tony Barklimore and Gavin Northfield, who did a sensational job in only his second appearance aboard the Pontiac campaigned last season by John Leslight. New South Wales champion Wayne Brims and opening round winner Steve Jordan, who suffered extensive damage in one of several crashes that punctuated the evening, rounded out the top ten.
Having finished on the podium at this event in the previous two years, Dave Gartner again looked likely to feature amongst the top three until contact with McHugh ended his challenge. Jarrod Harper also exited early whilst entrenched inside the top five, with McHugh also heading infield in the closing stages of the event. Michael Nicola was another casualty, exiting with a flat tyre while running fifth after a clash with Brett Smith, who was banished to the rear and ultimately excluded following another spin a few laps later that brought about a disappointing end to what had been a very strong performance.
A 41-car field fronted for competition and produced some great racing, however some spectacular crashes unfortunately overshadowed excellent performances from several competitors. Heat winners were Randall (2), Bergmeier, Gartner, Harper, O’Keeffe, Brett Smith and Brad Smith. Local drivers Barry Craft and Ray Lane were running strongly in second spot during their opening heats until they both found themselves upside down in turn three. Other hard luck stories in the preliminaries included Shane Best, Ron Pyne, Trent Wilson, Darren Kane, Will Gould and Damien Bugler.
The B Dash saw Brett Smith upstage the series regulars with a strong win over McHugh, who advanced from the back of the field, with Brad Smith finishing third ahead of Tomkins, Bergmeier and O’Keeffe.
Randall then secured pole position for the main event with victory in the A Dash, downing Gee, Gartner, Harper, McHugh and Brett Smith (Stargazer Motorhome Conversions Falcon).
The B Main saw Barklimore triumph ahead of Northfield, Daniel Miller and Jordan, with Michael Doblo, Wayne Miles and Matt Pascoe also transferring to the feature event.
Heading into round three at Toowoomba’s Charlton Raceway tomorrow night (December 31), Randall holds a 54-point lead over Gee in his bid for a third consecutive championship.
Results
Heat One: 1. David O’Keeffe, 2. Michael Tomkins, 3. Tony Barklimore, 4. Matt Pascoe, 5. Alan Robertson
Heat Two: 1. Ashley Bergmeier, 2. Barry Craft, 3. Daniel Miller, 4. Keith Higgs, 5. Dave Gartner
Heat Three: 1. Wayne Randall, 2. Wayne Brims, 3. Michael Nicola, 4. Steve Vaughan, 5. Jamie McHugh
Heat Four: 1. Brett Smith, 2. Michael Gee, 3. Steve Pearce, 4. Bevan Collins, 5. Jarrod Harper
Heat Five: 1. Brad Smith, 2. Michael Doblo, 3. Steve Jordan, 4. Michael Tomkins, 5. Matt Pascoe
Heat Six: 1. Dave Gartner, 2. Chris Bussey, 3. Gavin Northfield, 4. Keith Higgs, 5. Bill Miller
Heat Seven: 1. Wayne Randall, 2. Jamie McHugh, 3. Michael Nicola, 4. Steve Vaughan, 5. Shane Best
Heat Eight: 1. Jarrod Harper, 2. Michael Gee, 3. Bevan Collins, 4. Gary Pagel, 5. Lachlan Onley
B Dash: 1. Brett Smith, 2. Jamie McHugh, 3. Brad Smith, 4. Michael Tomkins, 5. Ashley Bergmeier, 6. David O’Keeffe
A Dash: 1. Wayne Randall, 2. Michael Gee, 3. Dave Gartner, 4. Jarrod Harper, 5. Jamie McHugh, 6. Brett Smith
B Main: 1. Tony Barklimore, 2. Gavin Northfield, 3. Danny Miller, 4. Steve Jordan, 5. Matt Pascoe, 6. Wayne Miles, 7. Michael Doblo, 8. Shane Best, 9. Gary Pagel, 10. Chris Bussey, 11. Bill Miller, 12. Paddy Ward, 13. Keith Higgs, 14. Lachlan Onley, 15. Wesley Hose
Feature Race: 1. Wayne Randall, 2. Michael Gee 3. Ashley Bergmeier, 4. Michael Tomkins, 5. Bevan Collins, 6. David O’Keeffe, 7. Tony Barklimore, 8. Gavin Northfield, 9. Wayne Brims, 10. Steve Jordan, 11. Jamie McHugh, 12. Brad Smith, 13. Brett Smith, 14. Michael Nicola, 15. Dave Gartner, 16, Wayne Miles, 17. Jarrod Harper, 18. Michael Doblo, 19. Matt Pascoe, 20. Steve Vaughan, 21. Daniel Miller
Contingency Awards
AFCO Shock Doctor Lucky Sevens: Tony Barklimore
Sport Engines Hard Charger: Bevan Collins
Oval Express Best Presented Car and Crew: Wayne Miles
Tassiesupersedan.com.au Hard Luck Award: Shane Best
The 2007/2008 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series progressive pointscore (top twenty): Wayne Randall 655, Michael Gee 601, Ashley Bergmeier 545, Michael Tomkins 489, Bevan Collins 450, David O’Keeffe 422, Tony Barklimore 383, Wayne Brims 344, Steve Jordan 339, Brad Smith 324, Michael Nicola 316, Dave Gartner 312, Jamie McHugh 307, Jarrod Harper 299, Michael Doblo 289, Wayne Miles 288, Gavin Northfield 288, Daniel Miller 280, Brett Smith 250, Gary Pagel 240
The 2007/2008 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
Carline Mufflers, Custom Transporters and Trailers, JD Couriers, Bergmeier Engineering, American Tire and Racing Services, Sport Engines, AFCO Shock Doctor, Weatherall Automotive Services, Performance Wholesale, Art by Mickey, Oval Express Magazine, www.tassiesupersedan.com, Comfort Inn Robertson Gardens, City Motor Inn Toowoomba, Rocky Resort Motor Inn, Comfort Inn Silver Birch, National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR), Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)