By Callum Ludwig
Millgrove’s Simpson Sisters, Bree and Tamika, have returned from the Speedway Sedans Australia National Title and are gearing themselves up to go again in the Victorian title this weekend.
The National Title was held at Borderline Speedway in Mount Gambier from 5 to 7 January, and the Victorian Title will be held on Saturday 14 January in Nyora.
Tamika said there were a lot of cars out on the track, and it got a bit rough in the end.
“It was good out there though it was rough, but there are certainly a lot less cars in the Victorian title, which will be a bit easier,” she said.
“I’m happy with how I went and it will be good with not as many cars on the track. I will be looking to try and keep out of the crashes and rough stuff.”
On Friday 5 January, Tamika recorded finishes of 8th-5th-5th to be sitting at 46th position and feeling a bit deflated alongside Bree. On Saturday, Tamika drove well despite not quite getting the finish she wanted in 8th, before finishing 9th in the B’main, bringing an end to her night.
Bree similarly found the racing hard and fast on Friday night, with her finishes of 5th-3rd-5thonly enough for 29th position.
Bree said the first night wasn’t so good, but felt she got going in the second.
“We got a big win on the second night, it was very rough out there but we got going and started passing cars. Once you get up the front, you just want to take off and go,” she said.
Bree’s big win in the B’main was enough to qualify her for the finale. She missed the start but soon got back into the race, up to 12th by the first stoppage.
With only 10 laps to go, the race is restarted in single-file, so Bree fought hard and was sitting in ninth with seven laps to go. With only three laps left and in eighth place, she hit a rut and was unable to hold onto it, colliding with another car and then the wall and ending her race prematurely.
“We didn’t quite finish, but we made up nine spots within the 22 laps which was a good effort,” Bree said.
Bree said as the Victorian title is only one night, neither she nor Tamika can afford to have a bad night.
“You never know how we will go, but there is a big gap in numbers compared to the National Title and it will be easier to get up the front. However, everyone will still be aiming to be number one.”
