Thurgoona race driver Daniel ‘Mongrel’ McCarten returned to Speedway racing for the first time this season and he drove like he hadn’t been out of the car in 365 days when he went on to take a big comeback win competing in the Goulburn Oven Sedan Association.

McCarten who had only recently been cleared to compete after some health concerns, drove superbly all night to take the feature race win ahead of guest driver in the Victoria # 1 ‘Max Maclean & Co’ supported Commodore Mitch Watts and Corowa businessman David Walton in third.

The night included debuts, returns, crashes & black flags to keep the fans and stewards on their toes.

Six heat races were completed to determine the start positions in the final and in heat one driving his father in laws car on a still wet track, Watts settled in at the back of the field and made sure he finished with the car in one piece.

McCarten piloted his Pro Bar Bumper Bars supported Falcon to the finish line ahead of Walton, Scott Callander, Mick Bunt, Tom Barnard, Tom Bowers (# 82 LJ Hooker Real Estate – Commodore) , Jack Milthorpe the rookie and Watts in heat one.

With two heats each round a second group competed with Chelsea Cornelius taking a win in her first heat race on what was a special day for her as the host club Corowa – Rutherglen recognised her Grandfather Arthur through a memorial race held on the same day for another division. Cornelius won from Clint Henderson (# 21 Corowa Kitchens & Cabinets – Commodore), Mark Pollard, Wally Dewar, Jamie Atkin, Mick Quinn & Stuart Balins (# 22 QA Kitchens Albury – Commodore).

Watts started at the front of the field in his second round heat race and he was gunning for a win in clear space. He made a jump at the green flag and despite some competition from Henderson, Watts went on to win with McCarten in third spot then Dewar (# 28 Dewar Engines – Falcon), Callander, Atkin, Harry Walliss another rookie & Balins.

Bowers had a much better run in the second round when he won from Walton (# 43 Maverick Boats – Centura), Cornelius, Milthorpe, Bunt & Pollard (# 18 Maverick Boats – Commodore).

McCarten made it two from three in terms of heat victories for the night when he won his last heat race ahead of Cornelius (# 76 Cornelius Custom Panels – Commodore) with Watts in third place.

Bunt continued to perform well and finished ahead of Atkin, Balins and Rusell Taylor (# 86 Hi On Ink Tattoo Studio – Falcon) another rookie in the division.

Henderson after two seconds earlier, finally picked off a win in his LS1 powered VE Commodore defeating Walton, Dewar, Bowers, Milthorpe (# 5 Dunkley Panels – Commodore), Callander & Pollard in the last heat of qualifying.

With McCarten & Henderson at the front of the field, Watts, Walton, Cornelius & Dewar up in the mix also the battle was one of the best the Goulburn Ovens Sedans put on for the season. McCarten was strong out front, Henderson found himself battling with McCarten & Watts and the leaders caught their way up into the back markers.

A crash involving Dewar & Cornelius that tore up the front of the latter’s car as it slammed the back straight concrete wall, resulted in the steward handing out a black flag to Dewar ending his race as well as the crashed Cornelius & her car.

Milthorpe progressed forward and started to look like he had a handle on his new car before he pulled infield not comfortable with his steering. Henderson later tried to make an outside pass around Balins a lapped competitor and the two touched and Henderson slammed into the concrete wrecking his night and his fight for the win.

Through all this McCarten maintained his composure and went on to win from Watts, Walton, Bowers, Callander (#24 Jindera Automotive – Falcon), Pollard, Atkin, Barnard & Walliss (# 96 DJM Scrap Metal – Commodore).

McCarten was delighted with the result. “It feel’s good to be back on track. I had fun out there & I would like to thank everybody for welcoming me back. When you are not racing, you really miss it, for people who do not race, get a car together and come and join us.”

Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association would like to thank the sponsors.
Max’s Motor Museum – Corowa
Maverick Boats – Corowa
Elle Mae Hair & Beauty – Corowa
Corowa Kitchens & Cabinets
Psychic Tina – Leeton
Wahgunyah Rock Yard – Wahgunyah
Stevo’s Painting Services
Cornelius Classic Panels – Corowa
Ace Smash Repairs – Leeton
MP Sheds – Leeton
Corowa Glass – Corowa
Dunkley Paint & Panels – Corowa
Sf photo graphix - Mulwala

Written by
Dean Thompson
DMT Sports Media
For Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association

Daniel McCarten winner at Wahgunyah Speedway (C) sf photo graphix - Sara Flowerday

Feature field lined up at Wahgunyah (C) sf photo graphix - Sara Flowerday

Chelsea Cornelius was crashed in the final, another driver got a black flag (C) sf photo graphix - Sara Flowerday