Drouin Speedway filled race fans with new years cheer with their annual just after New Years race program and on a program that included all the regular divisions and the visiting SDAV Hot Rods nobody left disappointed with the action before the rain closed the show.

The Ladies Standard Saloons showed up in great numbers considering their Victorian Title is to be run in a few weeks time and the win went to Kinglake’s Alaina McKee as she held off a determined Tegan Bullard, Di Meakins, Sarah Meakins & Sonia Nelson across the finish line in the final.

McKee was crowned the first ever ‘Queen of the Quarry’ having won the event that had attracted ten racers. Earlier heat races were won by Melissa Kairys, Trish Dike & McKee.

The visiting V8 Sdav Hot Rod class were racing their second round of the season and it was western suburbs racer Andrew Howard who made a last lap first corner pass to the outside of then race leader Maryknoll’s Dean West to head to the line and take the win with Phil Jenkins, Shannon Meakins and Russ Hovey completing the top five. West almost doubled up on winning at Drouin after winning here last season until the last lap pass by Howard. Traffic on his line may have been the difference here as Howard made a risky outside pass to get by West.

Earlier heat races went the way of Howard, Kali Hovey & Jenkins.

The Standard Saloons were running for the Gippy Shield trophies whilst the Gippy Shield for this race meeting was a combination of Men, Ladies & Junior Standard Saloon competitors competing as teams. With no final due to rain the Standard Saloon results were determined on the qualifying race points. Victor Benson from Nar Nar Goon took the win from Drouin’s Travis Evans both of whom took earlier heat race wins & Mitchell Bowyer.

The Gippy Shield was won by the following team members. Phil McNeil, Travis Evans, Steve Dadswell, Tegan Bullard, Di Meakins, Anne Gooding, Jack Yeomans, Michael Suckling & Steve Danks.

The VSC Sedans raced for the Track Championship round two. Heat race wins went the way of Labertouche racer Joel Andrews and Matt Nelson who won the next two. Nelson also won the final ahead of Mick Evans & Jaden Alberni.

The second round of the Junior Standard Saloon track championship was a hard fought affair across the day. Unfortunately for front running driver Joshua Thomas his car ended up wrecked during the day allowing Steven Danks to consolidate in the championship lead. Victorian Champion Tyson Cull took the win from Danks, Dylan Pendlebury, Michael Suckling & Ally Morrison.

Cull, Danks & Cull again won the three heat races.

The Division 2 Hot Rods competed in their second round of their track championship with Galley taking the win after Mills got stuck behind lapped traffic late in the race. Second went the way of Scott Laidlaw & Rob Tatterson was third.

Mills, Galley & Toby Callanan were the heat race winners.

The national body SSA Juniors also had their feature race washed out. Heat race winner were Seth Bent, Dean Burton & Tyler Barton with the overall points on the day across three heats determining the overall placings. Grantville’s Bent was the winner on the day ahead of Jack Van Breman and Barton.

The next meeting at Drouin Speedway will be on the 19th of January with the visiting Vintage Super Modifieds on the program along with the 6 Cylinder Standard Saloon feature, The Flower Cup for Ladies, Final Round of the VSC Sedan track championship, SSA Junior Sedan Traders Derby & Junior Standard Saloon round three of the LV Core & Saw series.

Drouin Speedway thanks the following for their support:

Ampworks
Robin Hood Hotel
Drysdale Chaff Mills
Brimstone Fire
Polish N Shine
Victory Lane Race Gear
Ramsdale Wreckers
Laser Electrical
Luke Galley Photography & Videography
Drouin Waste Recyclers
TNT Autos
Monckton Concrete
Latrobe Waste & Recycling

Written by
Dean Thompson
DMT Sports Media

Queen of the Quarry - Alaina McKee (C) Luke Galley Photography & Videography

SDAV Hot Rod Winner Andrew Howard (C) Luke Galley Photography & Videography

Andrew Galley winner of Round 2 of the Divi 2 Hot Rod Track Championship (C) Luke Galley Photography & Videography