By DEAN THOMPSON
HEALESVILLE driver Steve Kershaw was among the winners as Alexandra and District Speedway Club hosted the Victorian Late Model Sedan State Titles on Saturday 9 April.
Kershaw was a popular winner among a good representation of local drivers, taking out the Sports Sedan final ahead of another Healesville driver, Ben Moon.
But, it was Sydneysider David Doherty who went home with the big prize, the Victorian Late Model Sedan State Title, along with New South Wales champion Brad McClure who won the Street Stock final and Jackson Lunt who came home a winner in the Juniors.
Late model sedans with their open size engines that went as high as 434ci and 830 plus horsepower on Saturday came from Western Australia, South Australia, as far up as Newcastle and right around Victoria to compete for the Victorian title honours.
Doherty was too good for local Alexandra member and Healesville resident Justin Pearson with Nathan Disney from Newcastle in third place.
A top eight shoot out seen a sensational finish with Pearson blasting around the outside of Doherty to claim pole position for the final. Pearson was hoping to be quick out of the blocks at the green flag in the final, however, Doherty was the driver to win the race to the first turn and he went on to lead with Pearson actually dropping back a few places before making his way forward again.
West Australian Michael Holmes was out first followed by Todd Bayley, both of whom were serious chances of a podium position.
Twenty-five laps were run and on the 26th, Pearson and Disney came together on the back straight leaving Disney heading across the grass and stopping close to the edge of the track.
Stewards couldn’t put a finger on who was at fault from their position, and both drivers were left in their position with the incident marked as a racing incident.
Doherty then went on to win from Pearson, Disney, Chevy Edwards from Eildon and defending champion Ben Nicastri who started fifteenth and finished in fifth.
Doherty was reserved in victory. “Thank you to all my crew and supporters for their help,” he said.
“Congratulations to the Victorian Late Model club, the venue and its volunteers and the other place getters for all their efforts to make this a great night.”
Event sponsor and second-placed finisher, Justin Pearson, was pleased with the result.
“This division continues to go from strength to strength,” he said.
“Our numbers are growing, the fan base is starting to follow and venues want us to come and go racing for them and their fans.
“I can’t thank my team enough and all the supporters of the title for helping us make this event so great.”
Heat race wins went to Doherty, Chevy Edwards, Justin Pearson, Holmes, Doherty and Pearson again.
Jackson Lunt and Ricky Cornwall had a ding-dong battle in the Juniors with Tim Gorski ready to pounce and take a win if anything went wrong as the field went through the backmarkers.
Lunt won from Cornwall, Wayne Furmston got past Gorski for third with Courtney Meakins in fifth place.
New South Wales champion Brad McClure won the Street Stock final from Lenny Bates, Scott Bull, Mick Dann and Debbie Jones with Steve Kershaw from Healesville winning the Sports Sedan final from Ben Moon, Peter Eastham, Colin Tate and Kevin Brogmus.
Racing returns on 14 May with the Mick Woodhams Memorial for 3 Litre Sedans and club classes.
