SDAV Hot Rod ‘Thunder Down Under’ racing returned to Moama’s ‘Heartland Raceway’ on February the 28th & state champion Dean West returned to the winners list after a tremendous showing right through the field with great racing back in the pack fiercely trying to gain position all night long.

Phil Jenkins & Steve Robertson began off the front of the field with Kali Hovey, Shannon Meakins, Glenn Lawless, West, Dylan Linehan, Allen Luckett & Neil Sixtus (# 7 - Better Bin Hire) in heat one.

Jenkins led West who had quickly gained three spots on lap one & Robertson for the first two laps of eight. On lap three West took the lead whilst Meakins passed Robertson. Robertson (# 69 - Thompson Motor Group) was trying to get a handle of the conditions & was passed again on lap six by Hovey & Luckett.

West maintained his lead right to the end to lead Jenkins, Meakins, Hovey, Luckett (# 16 - Williamstown Engines), Robertson, Lawless, Linehan & Sixtus.

Luckett & Sixtus then led the field to the start line for heat two with Linehan *(# 28 - Chrislea Transport), Robertson, Hovey, Jenkins, West, Meakins & Lawless completing the grid, Jenkins was unable to start with power steering issues & when the flag unfurled it was Luckett who took command leading Linehan to the line for lap one with Hovey, West & Meakins chasing.

Hovey moved into second past Linehan on lap two, West slipped back behind Meakins (# 84 - Aarons Car Removals) & Robertson whilst on lap three positions shuffled around in the pack as Meakins moved to third ahead of Linehan, West & Robertson.

Meakins was deemed to have been turned around on lap four in turn one with Linehan being sent to the rear of the field & on lap six seen a change in the lead with Hovey moving to the front from Robertson & Luckett.

Lap seven Meakins spun again and was sent to the rear of the field whilst Sixtus pulled out of the race overheating, Lawless (# 99 - Wally's Fabrications) fuel concerns & Linehan with front end being bent.

Hovey would then continue on to win from Robertson, Luckett, Meakins & West (# 1 - Lumbar Softwoods).

Heat three rounded out the qualifying events with Lawless from pole position, West alongside then Meakins, Sixtus, Linehan, Luckett, Hovey, Jenkins (# 3 - P & S Automotive) & Robertson at the tail.

West got the jump to lead lap one from Meakins, Lawless & Linehan however a spin by Robertson caused a complete restart with West winning the second start & leading Meakins, Luckett, Lawless & Linehan.

Meakins took the lead on lap two from West whilst on lap three Sixtus retired from the race again overheating.

A spin on lap four to Meakins in turn two whilst leading put him to the back of the field & West back in front from Luckett, Linehan, Hovey (# 22 - The Pizza Box Geelong) & Robertson.

West crossed the finish line ahead of Luckett, Linehan, Hovey, Meakins, Robertson & Lawless however stewards then penalised Linehan who made contact with the single file starting cone on the last restart.

With a coin toss reversing the field to top points to the rear of the field, Linehan & Lawless began at the front ahead of Robertson, Meakins, Luckett, Hovey & West with Jenkins & Sixtus unable to get their cars on track.

Linehan was the first to lead with West from seventh into second spot at the first line crossing with Lawless in third place.

On lap two Meakins moved into third spot with Luckett coming through behind him and Lawless dropping to fifth. West moved to the lead on lap four with Linehan maintaining second place from Meakins.

Lap six the mid pack shuffled a little more whilst West continued to lead, the new order had Meakins, Luckett, Linehan, Hovey & Robertson chasing by lap seven.

On lap eleven when the race finished, West held his position at the front of the field to win from Meakins, Luckett, Hovey, Linehan, Robertson & Lawless.

The Thunder Down Under Series continues on the 14th of March at Mid Western Speedway in Darlington before the blue ribbon events of the season begin with the Ray Welsh Memorial, Victorian title, Legends Cup & Redline Track Championship rounding out the season.

SDAV Hot Rods thank their supporters:
Mega Auto Parts
Ribeau Interstate Transport Carriers
Intech Tuning
Purrfect Cool Auto Air
Better Bin Hire
The Pizza Box Norlane
Wally’s Design & Fabrication

Written by
Dean Thompson
DMT Sports Media
for SDAV Hot Rods Inc.

Dean West winner at Heartland Raceway (C) Sara Flowerday - sf Photo-Graphix