Vogels Goes Unbeaten On The Way To Vic Title

Vogels Goes Unbeaten On The Way To Vic Title

By Mark Humphrey

Avalon, Vic/Aus. 10^th January 2016. Victorian John Vogels walked away from last night’s SRA Victorian 410 Sprintcar Title with a clean sheet after winning his round 1 heat, the Open Dash and then the 410 Victorian title to now have 2 Victorian titles to his name. Vogels led home 19 year old American Carson Macedo and current Eureka Garages series leader Brett Milburn over a hectic 30 lap race that had Darren Mollenoyux finishing in 5^th just behind Peter Milnes after originally starting in the C-Main.

The schedule for the 410’s would see time trialling open up the night with defending Victorian champion Daniel Pestka taking the #1 spot with a 12.080 lap from another visiting American in Randy Hannagan followed by Shaun Dobson and Tim Rankin with Jamie Hennessy rounding out the top 5.

Into the first of 3 heats with Vogels getting the win from Macedo with Pestka in 3^rd. Macedo a first time visitor to Australian shores become the second youngest winner of the Californian Kings Of The West Series with only super talent Kyle Larson younger when he finished 2^nd in the Gary Patterson Tribute Race in Stockton last November. Last year’ classic winner Kyle Hirst had won the KWS series the previous 2 years highlighting what a tough series it is to win.

Heat 2 went the way of Ian Loudoun in front of Luke Walker with Tim Hutchins in 3^rd.

Heat 3 was taken out by South Aussie Glen Sutherland from local driver Peter Milnes with another track local in Dennis Jones coming in 3^rd.

The Open Dash to decide pole position was won by Vogels with Sutherland putting in a great run to fill the front row with Vogels. Macedo was next followed by Walker and Milnes. Loudoun who qualified for the dash pulled in-field prior to the start and would start from 6^th in the feature. Pestka picked up the consolation win in Dash #2 from Hutchins, Milburn, Jones, Matthew Reed with Nick Lacey rounding out positions 7 through 12.

The C-Main was a stop start affair with 6 of the 14 runners failing to make the finish line. Mollenoyux looked fast as he powered away from the field to take the win with Domain Ramsay, Jack Lee, Kris Lacey, Sam Wren and Terry Kelly advancing to the B Main.

The B-Main was similar to the C with several stoppages resulting in half a dozen runners heading to the infield. Shaun Dobson and Randy Hannagan had occupied the front row and were never headed to both advance to the rear of the feature. Grant Anderson starting out of 10^th finished 3^rd with Mollenoyux coming from 14^th to finish in the top 4. Jack Lee was equally impressive coming from one spot behind Mollenoyux to finish in 5^th while Adam King occupied the last transfer spot.

With 30 laps on the board the final looked to be a battle between Vogels and Sutherland with both gapping the ensuing pack. Macedo had started to chase down Sutherland and on lap 5 found a way past the Gambier Earthmovers car to sit in 2^nd. Although there were some stoppages throughout the race the top 3 looked to be settled in with a podium spot locked away or so it seemed. Another stoppage on lap 22 had Milburn slipping under Sutherland the next lap to take over 3^rd. Sutherland fought back briefly but lost out another spot to Anderson the next lap. One lap further on saw Sutherland re-take 4^th spot off Anderson before tragedy struck with Sutherland clipping the turn 4 fence and inverting the car. Anderson limped into the infield also finishing what was an exciting night’s racing by both drivers.

On the re-start Vogels once again led Macedo into turn 1 and with 5 laps to go maintained his lead to take out the win from Macedo with Milburn in 3^rd. Macedo come close at one stage to Vogels but outside of that opportunity Vogels pretty much controlled the race. Milnes had a great drive to finish in 4^th while Mollenoyux was sensational in finishing in the top 5. Dobson was next followed by Hannagan and Pestka who earlier on looked strong for a podium before getting caught up with Reed. Loudoun finished 9^th with Lee taking the last top 10 spot. Dennis Jones and Adam King were the final 2 cars to meet the chequered flag with 6 retiring before race distance.

Vogels had dominated the whole night and was definitely the stand out driver with Macedo showing plenty in the Dave Challons ride to suggest he will have an impact in 10 days’ time when the President’s Cup takes centre stage at Avalon Raceway. Sutherland come within a whisker of a podium finish and should carry that form into the cup. Milburn noted that his position 9 starting spot in the feature was hard to capitalise on early in the race and will be better with a higher qualifying spot. Both Milnes and Mollenoyux were solid with their drives and take some form into the cup.

Victorian 410 Sprintcar Final

For more info on the President’s Cup go to http://www.avalonraceway.com/

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