Almost 40 drivers competed in front a huge crowd at the Arno Bay (AB) Dirt Circuit Night Race Meeting held at Rehn’s Raceway on Easter Saturday.
A large contingent of cars from Port Lincoln (PL) raced on the night the night, but there was also visitors from Roxby Downs (RD) and Whyalla (W) who mixed it with our local drivers.
The first round got underway just as the sun was setting. Wayne Jantke (PL) won the first Street Stock race on a beautifully prepared track. No dust at all. The modified class was as exciting as ever with plenty of close racing. Andrew Lear (PL) showed he meant business and won, however, Rick Secker (AB) was not content to let Andrew have it all his way and tried the impossible. Rick clipped the tyre wall, getting a second from Ian Ellis after starting from seventh position. Kym Pahl got a good 1st after getting Pole.
The Open Wheelers were down in numbers, but the pace was blistering. Josh Gigney from Roxby Downs bought Bully’s car and raced it that night and won his first race. Corday drove a perfect race and won from Glen Wedding.
Next round, the track was ‘black’ and very fast. Simon Veitch who was a pleasure to watch all night, had a great win from Wayne Jantke (PL). Rick Secker (AB) and J. Kranze (PL) both had exciting wins.
Reece Cummings (PL) had better luck than his Dad and had a good win from Anthony Darling (AB) who was also having a good night. Glenn Wedding (AB) this time beat Corday (PL).
Points were very close at the start of the third round and Kym Pahl (AB) got pole and could not be caught. He won easily from Reece Cummings (PL).
Michael Stringer (AB) drove extremely well to win this race from Doug McConnell (PL).
The Modifieds went for all in the next race, and four cars finished up in a heap on the first corner. Andrew Lear (PL) had a flat tyre and it was decided to re-run the race at the end of the round. Again Rick Secker started last and won in a thriller . Peter Wake (AB) in his newly-acquired car came second. Pete is gradually getting the feel of this car and will be worth watching. Nev Bamman (AB) showed us he still has it after getting married and won easily. Glenn Wedding (AB) had another good win after Cade Hartwig jumped the start. Steve Weir won from the Roxby 12 car after Kalon Hartwig spun on lap one.
Last round of the night and the racing was just fantastic. A huge crowd had turned up and the Sponsors would have been very pleased.
Wayne Jantke (PL) won again from Simon Veitch (AB) and Harley Pahl, one of our young guns, had a great win from Anthony Darling.
The Modifieds were just as enthusiastic as they were at the beginning of the night. This time Andrew Lear (PL) had his chance and won from Rick Secker who once again started from last position. Sam Moulden drove well all night and was always up there with the blokes. Jason Sweet (PL) came second.
The Open Wheelers were just a pleasure to watch all night, very professional, no contact and very very fast. Steve Weir (PL) and Corday doubled up all night in their beautiful Port Lincoln No 6 and both won their next races. The Hartwig boys are trying hard to test their car out and will always do better. It was just great to see Bill Herde (AB) back racing after getting his car back on track again. Bill drove extremely well after being away for so long.
Although it was not late, it was decided to run all 15 cars in the 10 lap feature race. The five Street Stock up front, seven Modifieds next and the three Open Wheelers at the back. When the flag dropped all hell broke loose with racers four wide and flat out into the first corner.
Glenn Wedding came up through the field until he met Andrew Lear. These two created a great race for second for three laps, until Glenn’s pressure was too much for Andrew who spun at the end of the straight. Glenn, however had spent too many laps behind Andrew and had left it too late to catch the front runner. Simon Veitch (AB) who drove a perfect race, flat out for 10 laps. He won a great race and had the crowd cheering him on.
It was a fantastic night’s racing, a credit to the Arno Bay Club. There were a couple of hiccups with the power, but everybody agreed it was a great night’s entertainment.
Next race meeting is May 11 – a points meeting so mark it on your calendar. See you there.
Race results:
Street stocks – W Jantke PL55 20 points, S Veitch AB11 20, R Cummings PL53 19.
Allcomers – S Veitch AB11, A Darling AB 47, M Stringer AB 67.
Fastest time – K Pahl AB33 with 3:18:81 Round 3
Modified Saloons – R Secker AB 14 22 points, A Lear PL19 18, J Sweet PL888 17.
Allcomers – A Lear PL19, I Ellis W50, N Bamman AB97.
Fastest time - A Lear PL19 with 3:09:22 Round 4
Open wheelers – S Weir PL6A 23 points, C Day PL6 21, G Wedding AB 58 20.
Allcomers – G Wedding, AB58, J Gigney RD12, B Herde AB35.
Fastest time - S Weir PL6A with 3:01:98 Round 3
Travelling trier - Ian Ellis W50
Local trier - Cade Hartwig AB101
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