At Wahgunyah Speedway the big events keep on coming & this past Saturday night the 21st of May was more of the same with the Lachie Howie Memorial for Standard Saloons, Arthur Cornelius Memorial for V8 Super Modifieds and the Magic on the Murray for Super Sedans headlining the event, Wodonga based racer Warrick Howie would steal the show winning the memorial honouring his brother.

The Standard Saloon field had attracted some great entries from around Victoria with cars from Geelong, Melbourne, Gippsland & Swan Hill joining the local North East Victorians. Across six heat races Howie with two wins, Micheal Fleming –Robertson, Gary Evans, Mark Miles & Ben Randall all with one apiece secured their places in the feature event.

Howie & Miles began on the front row of the Lachie Howie Memorial & right from the green flag Howie pushed hard to make the race his own. Miles, Evans, Randall, Aaron Meakins, Mick Chrystie, Jason Meakins & Jay Dickson were some of the drivers up front battling for position in the top three, whilst Nick Chrystie started to make ground.

Chrystie started to pick off those in front of him, Randall who moved into second broke down & had to park infield and Howie continued on stretching his lead. The pack after lots of passing and re-passing settled with Nick Chrystie, Evans, Dickson & Miles chasing Howie.

Howie secured his emotional and stirring victory ahead of those four.

After the race Howie was obviously happy. “This is a great moment for all the family, not just me. I have Bobby Taylor, Shannon Meakins and others here who were very close to Lachie. It is perfect to win with them here again also. The car didn’t miss a beat, I have to thank all the competitors for coming up and making this a special night and you the fans also, you have been great in being respectful and acknowledging of my brother Lachie.”

Long time Corowa locals, Terry & Peter Cornelius were delighted that the Corowa – Rutherglen Speedway Club dusted off the perpetual trophy for the Arthur Cornelius Memorial to honour their late father with the V8 Super Modified open wheel division competing for the honour.

From over Kerang way, Rob Farrar won all three heats and then the final. Farrar won from Chip Farrar Jordy Davis, Grant Shiltze & Esther Thomson despite a earlier crash during the day rattled a couple when Roger Thomson spilt out of his race car and onto the track after an accident.

A small however competitive field of Super Sedans blasted around the big & super fast race track with Michael Nicola Jnr winning the first heat & the third & season rookie Michael Wicks taking a win in the second heat.

Deciding to start rear of field in the final to put on a show for the crowd, Nicola Jnr tried to chase down the front row starter Wicks. Late in the race Nicola Jnr was chasing Wicks for the win &n try as he did to get past, the rookie took a great win. Wicks defeated Nicola Jnr, Scott Whittle, Lionel West & Ian Page.

Also on the night the Ladies Open Sedans competed with the Highline Racewear track championship round won by Lisa McPherson after she won all three heats then the final. Fleur Heiner was second ahead of Rhiannon Glare with Melanie Chrystie the only other finisher.

The returning Danny McCarten was a winner in the Goulburn Ovens Sedans after returning from an absence due to health. McCarten given the all clear to compete prior to the event blitzed to win from Mitch Watts, David Walton, Tommy Bowers & Scott Calander.

Tim Gorski from down south then threw the challenge out to regular competitors Toby Carmichael & Rick McAuliffe in the Junior Sedans. McAuliffe won the first heat then Gorski won the next two before going on to win the final ahead of Carmichael, McAuliffe, Hayden Glare & Jake Cottier.

Finally the Sports Sedan results all came down to a competitive final between the top two drivers during the night, Matt Chiminello from Donnybrook & Craig Cottier from Albury. Both drivers won three heat races before leading the field in the final. Chiminello was hounded and pressured all race long and in a battle of Ford v Holden the 347ci powered Ford, took the win from Cottier, Nathan Shortis from Yarrawonga, Ben Kelly of Wodonga & Tom Barnard.

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Written by
DMT Sports Media
For Corowa –Rutherglen Speedway Club

Warrick Howie winner of the Lachie Howie Memorial (c) Inaction Photos

Michael Wicks won the Magic on the Murray for Super Sedans (c) Inaction Photos

Rob Farrer won the Arthur Cornelius Memorial for V8 Super Modifieds (c) Inaction Photos