Rookie Modlite racer Lachlan McHugh proved his previous round win was far from a fluke when he repeated the effort in round three of the David Grose Real Estate/Western Landscaping Supplies Driver to America Series at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway on Saturday night (November 15). It was a somewhat unusual series of events that saw McHugh ultimately declared the winner, although it is hard to imagine that anybody would begrudge the talented teenager his win after another dominant display.

Having secured pole position for the 20-lap feature event with two heat wins, McHugh led throughout the event with his father, current national champ Jamie McHugh, slotting into second spot. With Lachlan looking comfortable out front, McHugh Snr found himself under pressure from Luke Whitehill, a dice that included a bit of argy bargy between the pair in turn two as they manoeuvred through lapped traffic. Meanwhile, whilst the order at the front seemed settled, there was plenty of interest in what was happening further back with Aaron Seton surging into the top five after starting deep in the 21-car field.

Just when the outcome seemed certain, Lachlan McHugh slowed through turn four with just two laps to run when a flag marshall prematurely deployed a yellow flag. Both Jamie McHugh and Whitehill moved ahead before young McHugh regained his composure and set off in pursuit. Whilst he was able to reclaim one spot from Whitehill, it was the senior member of the McHugh team who was the first to greet the chequer.

A subsequent investigation resulted in Lachlan being reinstated as the race winner ahead of Jamie, with Whitehill finishing in third spot. Seton’s sensational performance culminated with a fine fourth place finish ahead of David Preston, Jarrod Steen and Jeff Jensen. Steve Collins, Aaron Prosser and Alex Coward rounded out the top ten.

William Butler, Wayne Donaldson, Jac Carnell, Mitchell Whittaker, Luke Harrisonm Tim Jackson and Graham Caldwell completed the finishers while Michael Kendall, Darren Dobson, Cameron Lamb and series leader Terry Leerentveld (pictured) failing to go the distance.

The opening heat of the night saw Lachlan McHugh surge from near the back of the field to defeat Whitehill and Preston. In the second heat it was Jamie McHugh who outpaced the field, leading home Dave Menz and Jeff Jensen.

In heat three, Preston proved too pacey, downing Whitehill and Leerentveld. The final heat saw McHugh Jnr finish ahead of Midget ace Kendall, with Jamie McHugh in third spot.

David Grose Real Estate/Western Landscaping Supplies Modlite Driver to America progressive points (top 20): Terry Leerentveld 385, Wayne Donaldson 250, William Butler 230, Dave Menz 230, Zac McDonald 210, Lachlan McHugh 200, Steve Collins 195, Tim Luscombe 190, Luke Whitehill 185, Jeff Jensen 160, Troy Carnall 160, Jarrod Steen 140, Alex Coward 130, Jamie McHugh 95, Aaron Seton 85, Dave Preston 80, Jac Carnall 80, Darren Dobson 60, Aaron Prosser 60, Paul Hovey 55

The next race meeting for Modlites competitors is the Cowboy Cup at Toowoomba Speedbowl this Saturday night (November 22), with round four of the David Grose Real Estate/Western Landscape Supplies Driver to America Series to be contested at Archerfield on December 6.