Phil Jenkins started the season with a ‘Bang’ when he held off strong challengers at Drouin Speedway to leave the venue with the ‘Legends Cup’ winner’s trophy on December the 14th after he led to the line Shannon Meakins & Victorian Champion Dean West.

The trophy honours ‘Legends’ of the SDAV Club which has a long history in Victorian Speedway. From drivers, to long time committee, crew & supporters the event is held in honour of many people & Jenkins was delighted to win the event as a warm up at the venue that will later this season hold the Victorian SDAV Hot Rod title.

Jenkins (# 3 - P & S Automotive)& West started at the front of the field for heat one, it was West who was first to the first turn taking the all-important lead. Jenkins sat in behind in second with Meakins on his tail. On lap four of ten, Kali Hovey (# 22 - Ribeau Interstate Transport) blew her race engine and her day was done whilst Allan Luckett also pulled infield with fuel issues that needed to be sorted back in the pit enclosure.

On Lap five, West in the top end of the race track between turn three & four washed a little high and Jenkins burst through the gap & into the race lead along with Meakins who followed him. West regained his drive & chased from third place before spinning completely on the final lap coming to a stop in the same spot on the same turn.

Jenkins won from Meakins, debutant Neil Sixtus in his first ever SDAV Hot Rod race, Glenn Lawless & then West.
Lawless (# 99 - Wally’s Custom Fabrications) & Meakins held the front row positions for heat two when the green flag let the field go, with Meakins assuming his place at the front & West right behind him. Jenkins took third place from the start of the race and the three stayed in that order to the end of the race.

Sixtus didn’t start the heat due to timing issues & Meakins (# 84 Kilmore Towing & Transport) took the win from West, Jenkins, Lawless & Luckett.

Lawless then made the most of a pole position start when he led from start to finish in the third heat from an eager Jenkins who just couldn’t find a way past. Lawless rarely gave Jenkins a peak at the daylight ahead keep his car nice and tight in the turns. Lawless the winner from Jenkins, Meakins, Luckett (# 16 – Purrfect Cool auto Air) & West in the final heat.

The twelve lap ‘Legends Cup’ began with Jenkins from pole and Meakins alongside and as the sun baked the race track the dash to the first turn became ever so much more important. Jenkins was quickest off the start and he was never headed once he made it to the first turn of lap one. Meakins and West chased him however Jenkins had them covered & didn’t look in trouble at any stage. Back further Lawless held position ahead of Luckett for six laps before Luckett found an opening to get past. The final placing’s were Jenkins, Meakins, West (# 1 - Ace Fencing & Hardware), Luckett & Lawless.

After the race a delighted Jenkins shared his feelings. “I thought the day was great. Drouin ran a great meeting for us & gave us the best track they could on the day. Thanks to my friends in the club & Lynne (partner). The title here is going to be interesting after Christmas, I wish everybody a great festive season & see them at Wangaratta after the New Year.”

The next event is January the 10th at Wangaratta Speedway.
SDAV Hot Rod Club thanks the following supporters:
Mega Auto Parts
Ribeau Interstate Transport Carriers
Intech Motorsport Dyno
Purrfect Cool Auto Air
Air Anywhere Truck Tyres
Bryant’s Truck & Equipment Sales
Hall Concrete Constructions

Written by
Dean Thompson
DMT Sports Media
For SDAV Hot Rod Club

Legends Cup winner Phil Jenkins (C) Inaction Photos