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Kicking Up The Dirt - ECL Track Championship Round Six
Joanne White posted Tuesday December 27, 2016.

Last night 33 Sprintcars rolled into AusDeck Patios Archerfield Speedway for Round Six of the East Coast Logistics Sprintcar Track Championship, and night one of USA Sprintcars, with Americans Donny Schatz and Logan Schuchart both having their Australian season debut. It was a very different night of Sprintcar racing, with early track conditions having a massive effect on qualifying, leaving many of the usually front runners struggling for points and forced to come through the B-Main event. After transferring from the B-Main event Schatz was systematically working his way through the A-Main field when contact with Bryan Mann just five laps into the race saw both drivers flip out of the event. Neither Mann nor Schatz were hurt in the incident but both teams will have a big couple of days ahead to get ready for the next race meeting on Friday night. Logan Schuchart impressed all night and initially led the feature event, withstanding a bold challenge for the lead by Paul Rooks, but pulled out of the event after just eleven laps, a mechanical issue on board the Motorguard Motorsport USA1 racer prematurely ending his night. Mitchell Gee inherited the race lead and while David Murcott closed in as the laps wore away, Gee managed to defend his position from Murcott, who had one last challenge for the lead with less than a lap left to run. Mitchell Gee took his maiden win in Sprintcars, in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd, with David Murcott across the line in second. Andrew Scheuerle survived the action-packed A-Main, after initially starting from position seven in the B-Main, and managed to climb his way into a very impressive third, with Peter Lack and Lachlan McHugh rounding out the top five.

A light shower of rain passed over the venue just moments before engine starts, and while we were able to press on with the show, the track was left a little wet and heavy, especially for the first few qualifying groups, which made for some interesting qualifying results that would effect the proceedings for the rest of the night. Brent Kratzmann ended up topping the qualifying order, securing quick time when he stopped the clock at 12.199 seconds. Paul Rooks, who was in the same qualifying group as Kratzmann, went second quickest, stopping the clock at 12.283 seconds, with Dan Murray, Steve Greer and Luke Oldfield rounding out the fastest five. Brock Dean missed a spot in the top five by just one thousandth of a second, while Logan Schuchart and Allan Woods both stopped the clock at exactly 12.500 seconds. Mark Pholi was just five thousandths of a second slower (12.505), while Dylan Menz rounded out the top ten with his 12.651 second lap. The order behind them was full of surprises with David Murcott (13th), Callum Walker (14th), Mitchell Gee (16th), Bryan Mann (17th), Andrew Scheuerle (19th), Peter Lack (20th), Donny Schatz (23rd), Lachlan McHugh (24th) and Kevin Titman (28th) just some of the names not accustomed to being outside the top ten. Less than one second separated the top 22 cars, once again demonstrating just how close the competition would be.

Heat one started with Lachlan McHugh and Andrew Scheuerle from the front row, with Anthony Lambert and David Murcott right behind. Scheuerle got the jump on the start and quickly settled into the race lead. Murcott tried to follow him on the top side but McHugh blocked him as they entered turn and maintained second ahead of Murcott with Lambert settling into fourth. Logan Schuchart worked the high line as he tried to find a way around both Dave Whell and Anthony Lambert, all the while Brent Kratzmann closed in on his tail tank. Schuchart made his way past Whell, with Kratzmann soon sliding under Whell when the Q9 racer ran a little too wide in turn four, while David Murcott was relentlessly searching for a way past Lachlan McHugh. As Schuchart searched for a way past Lambert, Kratzmann began to close the gap, the trio having a thrilling mid-field battle that captivated the crowd. Scheuerle had a comfortable lead but contact with the lapped car of Darren Silcock in turn one saw Silcock spin the Q38 racer to a stop. Scheuerle had cut down a left rear tyre in the incident and was forced to the rear of the field for the remaining two laps. McHugh inherited the race lead ahead of Murcott and Lambert and while there was little that could be done to stop McHugh out in front, Schuchart was quick to slide underneath Lambert in turn two to steal third and leave Lambert to defend his position from a hard charging and determined Kratzmann. With just half a lap to run Cody Maroske raced up the inside of Brock Dean as they powered down the back straight, but it was Lachlan McHugh who took the win with David Murcott across the line in second. Logan Schuchart crossed the line in third, an impressive effort for his first race at the venue, with Anthony Lambert coming home in fourth and leading Brent Kratzmann, Dave Whell, Cody Maroske, Brock Dean, Andrew Scheuerle and Darren Silcock across the line. Andrew Corbet did not finish the event.

Heat two started with the formidable duo of Donny Schatz and Peter Lack from the front row, with Bryan Mann and Callum Walker right behind. Schatz got the jump when the lights went green and quickly secured the lead with Lack settling into second but staying close on the tail of Schatz. Allan Woods took to the high side as he tried to race around Luke Oldfield and Kristy Bonsey, but Oldfield charged through on the bottom and set his sights on Walker, leaving Woods to try and find a way past Bonsey. Within a few laps Oldfield was on the tail of Walker and putting all kinds of pressure on the Q33 racer as he searched for his way through, while at the front of the field Lack capitalised when Schatz made a rare mistake and ran a fraction too wide in turn four. It was only a moment but for Lack it was his only chance and he quickly raced up the inside of the USA15 racer to steal the lead and immediately started opening a small lead. Lack weaved his way through lapped traffic, while Bryan Mann, Callum Walker and Luke Oldfield closed in on Schatz. Peter Lack went on to take the win ahead of Donny Schatz and Bryan Mann, while Luke Oldfield managed to find his way in front of Callum Walker on the final lap to steal fourth. Walker crossed the line in fifth and led Kristy Bonsey, Allan Woods, Paul Rooks, Anthony Vanderreyden, Neil Howard and Sean Iacono across the line.

Brett Minett started heat three from pole position with Wayne Iacono alongside and Mitchell Gee and Clem Hoffmans out of the second row. Minett and Iacono raced side-by-side into the first corner but it was Iacono on the top side who managed to secure the advantage, leaving Minett in second with Mitchell Gee right on his tail. Minett lifted the front wheels of the Q94 racer off the ground as they raced down the back straight, with Gee looking around the highline for a way through. Gee was spectacular running the top of the track, relentless, determined and smooth as he committed to a bold outside passing move through turns three and four to steal second from Minett before the end of the first lap. Dylan Menz searched for a way past Clem Hoffmans while Kevin Titman tried to make his way forward after starting at the rear of the field. Mark Pholi was all over the back of Steve Greer, searching high and low for a way through, but it was hard to take your eyes from Mitchell Gee as he put increasing pressure on Iacono for control of the race. Iacono to his credit ran a brilliant race, he was smooth and consistent and fast, and managed to take the win but spun the Q20 racer to the infield in turn two just moments after greeting the chequered flag. Mitchell Gee was officially second ahead of Brett Minett, Clem Hoffmans, Dylan Menz and Steve Greer. Mark Pholi crossed the line in seventh and led Dan Murray, Jason Bottin and Kevin Titman across the line. Tim Ford, who had been having mechanical dramas all night, did not finish heat three.

Andrew Scheuerle and Bryan Mann shared the front row for the start of heat four, with Wayne Iacono and Mitchell Gee from the second row. Scheuerle got the jump on the start and quickly settled into the race lead ahead of Mann and Gee, while Kristy Bonsey had a brief look up the inside of Iacono as they entered turn one. Contact between Brent Kratzmann and Dan Murray at the rear of the field left Murray stranded on the inside edge of the track in turn two and brought the race under caution. A full race restart followed, with Murray now rear of field, and it was again Scheuerle who secured the lead ahead of Mann. Unfortunately though Iacono spun the Q20 racer, while fighting Gee over third, and while Brock Dean was able to swerve the Q8 racer and go to the top side around Iacono, he ended up stranded against the turn two wall, completely blocking the path of a luckless Kratzmann. Kratzmann tried to stop to avoid contact but there simply wasn’t enough time and he collected the side of Dean. Unfortunately for Dean he was unable to restart the event, while both Iacono and Kratzmann restarted at the rear of the field. Another full race restart followed with Scheuerle again getting the better of Mann when the lights went green. Gee settled into third behind Mann while Cody Maroske tried the find a way around the outside of Kristy Bonsey, just as Brent Kratzmann began trying to make up ground on the bottom. Kratzmann slid under Maroske in turn four, before working the low line to get under Bonsey less than half a lap later. The race however was promptly brought under caution once more when Wayne Iacono spun to a stop on the inside edge of turn four. Iacono was relegated the in field and would take no further part in the event, while Scheuerle led the restart from Mann and Gee with eight laps left to run. Kratzmann was all over the back of Gee, the pair putting on a breath-taking show as Kratzmann searched high and low for a way past and Gee defended his position, while further back in the field Cody Maroske was searching tirelessly for a way past Kristy Bonsey, but Bonsey, who was having a great night after a strong qualifying run, was not prepared to surrender the position. Andrew Scheuerle went on to take a much needed win, with Bryan Mann in second ahead of Mitchell Gee and Brent Kratzmann. Kristy Bonsey managed to hang on to finish fifth despite a strong challenge from Cody Maroske, with Maroske doing a magnificent job in the Q22 racer and showing plenty of potential as he captivated the crowd. Dan Murray and Neil Howard rounded out the finishers, while Wayne Iacono and Brock Dean failed to finish the event.

Heat five started with Brett Minett from pole position alongside Lachlan McHugh, with Peter Lack and Dave Whell filling the second row for the start. Minett and McHugh raced side-by-side into turn one, but it was McHugh on the top side who managed to secure the lead. Whell secured the advantage over Lack, while David Murcott and Luke Oldfield both took to the high side. Contact between Murcott and Oldfield in turn two saw Oldfield loose a lot of ground and drop back several positions, while Murcott continued to work the high line as he searched for a way past Dave Whell. Oldfield searched high and low for a way past Anthony Vanderreyden, while behind them Sean Iacono and Andrew Corbet argued over track position until Corbet spun to a stop in turn two. McHugh led the restart from Minett and Lack, with Murcott sitting in fourth but keen to get to the front of the field. Murcott wasted no time at all and quickly committed to the bottom to race under Lack, all the while Lack was looking for a way past Minett. Logan Schuchart began looking for a way past Mark Pholi, while Luke Oldfield worked the bottom to race under both Schuchart and Pholi in one bold passing move through turn two. Schuchart followed Oldfield under Pholi but the race was soon brought to an abrupt stop when Andrew Corbet made contact Anthony Vanderreyden and flipped wildly through turn one. Fortunately Corbet was able to walk away from the wreck, though neither he nor Vanderreyden were able to restart the event. McHugh again led the restart, this time with just four laps to go, with Minett still on his tail but with both Murcott and Lack looking for a way through. Murcott raced under Minett in turn two, with Lack preferring to run spectacularly around the outside, making his way past Minett just half a lap later. Oldfield made his way forward, getting past both Whell and Minett in less than a lap, while Schuchart tried to defend his position from Mark Pholi, whilst also looking for a way past Whell and Minett. Lachlan McHugh eventually took the win, leading David Murcott and Peter Lack across the line, with Luke Oldfield and Brett Minett rounding our the top five. Logan Schuchart stole sixth place from Dave Whell in the final corner of the race, leaving Whell in seventh ahead of Mark Pholi and Sean Iacono. Anthony Vanderreyden and Andrew Corbet did not finish the race.

The sixth and final heat of the night saw Anthony Lambert start from pole position with Donny Schatz alongside and Clem Hoffmans and Callum Walker right behind. Schatz got the jump on the start and quickly settled into the race lead while Walker raced around the outside of Lambert to steal second and set out after Schatz. Steve Greer and Kevin Titman made their way underneath Dylan Menz when Menz ran a little wide as they raced down the main straight. Titman tried to close in on Greer, while Greer searched for a way past Paul Rooks, and Schatz entered lapped traffic after just a few laps. Donny Schatz went on to take the win, having built a lead of several car lengths over his rivals, with Callum Walker in second, nearly half a lap ahead of third placed Anthony Lambert. Allan Woods finished fourth and led Paul Rooks, Kevin Titman, Steve Greer, Dylan Menz, Clem Hoffmans and Jason Bottin across the line. Tim Ford continued to have problems in the Q70 racer and unfortunately did not complete a lap.

Brent Kratzmann led the points chase heading into the Dash event and in the pre-dash draw drew position four for his starting position. Kratzmann then chose Luke Oldfield to start on his inside, with Paul Rooks and Logan Schuchart set to share the front row for the start of the six lap Dash event. Schuchart and Rooks raced wheel-to-wheel into the first corner but it was Schuchart on the high side who managed to secure the lead. Rooks settled into second with Oldfield in momentarily in third. Brent Kratzmann raced up the inside of Oldfield as they headed down the back straight just half a lap into the race and stole third. Oldfield tried to fight back on the bottom as they rounded turn four but Kratzmann had the speed and momentum to maintain his advantage. Allan Woods and Steve Greer had their own battle unfolding further back in the field, but it was hard to take your eyes from Kratzmann and Oldfield as they argued over positions, and closed in on Rooks. The trio were now embroiled in an intense battle for the final position on the front row of the A-Main grid, with Kratzmann putting all kinds of pressure on the back of Rooks. Kratzmann finally managed to get the job done, racing under Rooks as they headed down the back straight and into turn three, the pair running mid track and leaving a small opening on the bottom. Oldfield did not hesitate and he quickly tried to race under the pair in turn three. Unfortunately contact between the right rear of Oldfield, and the left front of Kratzmann spun Kratzmann around just a quarter of a lap from the chequered flag. Rooks was forced to quickly take evasive action, which then put him in the path of David Murcott. Contact between Rooks and Murcott left Murcott stranded, along with Kratzmann, in turn four just meters from the chequered flag. Logan Schuchart had already taken the win so the race was officially over, with Paul Rooks being credited with second ahead of Luke Oldfield, Allan Woods, Dan Murray, Steve Greer, David Murcott and Brent Kratzmann. Logan Schuchart declined the Kratzmann Challenge, electing to start the upcoming A-Main event from pole position instead of inverting the top fourteen starters.

A massive field of eighteen cars lined up for the start of the fifteen lap B-Main event, with Donny Schatz and Dylan Menz sharing the front row. Schatz got the jump on the start and immediately started opening up a small lead over the rest of the field, while Menz settled into second ahead of Pholi and Brock Dean raced around Anthony Lambert and tried to go underneath Dave Whell all before the second corner of the race. Andrew Scheuerle, who had started all the way back in seventh, was determined to make it into the top four and earn a transfer to the A-Main event and was skilfully working his way closer to the front. Kevin Titman, who had mechanical gremlins all night that resulted in him starting twelfth in the B-Main event, was also on a mission to make it into the top four finishers and get his own start in the main race. Titman worked his way carefully through the field, racing around Minett and setting his sights on Lambert. Schatz began weaving his way almost effortlessly through lapped traffic, while Titman caught the tail of Scheuerle as the pair searched for a way past Dylan Menz. Scheuerle was first to find his way in front of the Q46 racer, with Titman having a spectacular run on the high side to race around Menz and attempt a bold outside passing move on Scheuerle as well. Scheuerle was having none of it though and fought back strongly on the bottom to maintain his position, but half a lap later Titman switched to the low line and raced underneath Scheuerle as they headed down the back straight and into turn three. Titman set about chasing down Dave Whell, with Scheuerle staying close behind, but when Titman and Whell both left a small window open on the bottom Scheuerle did not hesitate. Scheuerle quickly manoeuvred the Q25 racer to the bottom of the track and raced under Titman, before having a massive look on the inside of Whell. Meanwhile, further back in the field, Brett Minett and Anthony Lambert were having a great battle, with Cody Maroske coming on strong and taking to the high line in spectacular fashion. The race was however soon brought under caution with just two laps left to run when Brett Minett and Anthony Vanderreyden became stranded in turn two. Schatz led the restart from Pholi, Scheuerle, Whell and Titman in a frantic two-lap dash to the chequered flag. Titman committed to the high line and charged around the outside of Whell with less than a lap remaining to secure the final transfer position for the A-Main. Donny Schatz was unstoppable in the race lead and went on to take the win ahead of Mark Pholi, with Andrew Scheuerle and Kevin Titman only just managing to secure their spots in the A-Main race after finishing third and fourth respectively in the B-Main. Dave Whell crossed the line in fifth after a very impressive run, and led Dylan Menz, Cody Maroske, Anthony Lambert, Neil Howard, Jason Bottin, Clem Hoffmans and Anthony Vanderreyden across the line. Brett Minett, Sean Iacono, Tim Ford, Brock Dean and Wayne Iacono did not finish the event.

Eighteen cars lined up for the 35-lap A-Main event, with Logan Schuchart and Paul Rooks from the front row and a massive field of talent behind them just itching to put on a show. Schuchart got the jump on the start and quickly settled into the lead ahead of Paul Rooks and Allan Woods, who got a brilliant start to secure third over Luke Oldfield. Unfortunately though Steve Greer spun the Q84 racer in turn two, leaving a hapless Brent Kratzmann nowhere to go. Kratzmann tried to go around the outside of the #84 racer, but clipped him on his way through, sending is own car slightly down track where he was collected by a number of other cars, including Donny Schatz, Kevin Titman and Andrew Scheuerle. Chaos unfolded quickly but in the end both Kratzmann and Greer were unable to restart the event. Schatz, Titman and Scheuerle all restarted at the rear of the field.

A full race restart followed with Schuchart and Rooks to again lead the field to the green. Schuchart got a brilliant start when the green flag flew and immediately secured the lead, and a small margin over the rest of the field, but Rooks was not about to surrender without a fight. Rooks found some incredible momentum on the high side and powered spectacularly around the top and challenged Schuchart for the lead. Rooks actually had his nose in front just enough to lead the race, briefly, as they completed the first lap of the race, but Schuchart was quick to fight back on the bottom and quickly regained the advantage. Rooks stayed close on his tail though, while Oldfield closed in and Mitchell Gee found his way underneath Allan Woods. Bryan Mann, Lachlan McHugh and Donny Schatz were making impressive progress towards the front of the field while Oldfield, who has several feature wins under his belt already this season, stepped up the pace and raced underneath Rooks to steal second. Rooks tried to fight back on the high side but clipped the wall as he raced down the back straight, before slowing to a stop in turn four.

Rooks restarted at the rear of the field as Logan Schuchart led the field to the green once more, with Luke Oldfield and Mitchell Gee now right on his tail. Peter Lack raced under Allan Woods and set his sights on Gee, attacking on the low line and almost getting the job done, but the race was brought to another unexpected and sudden stop. Bryan Mann and Donny Schatz came together as they were racing for position and heading down the main straight. The contact launched both cars into a spectacular series of flips, with Mann ending up climbing the concrete wall at the end of the turn and Schatz ripping the main wing from the USA15 racer. Callum Walker and Mark Pholi both took impressive evasive action to avoid the flipping cars and had their reactions been slower the spectacular crash could have so easily become so much worse. Fortunately both Mann and Schatz were able to walk away from the wreck.

Logan Schuchart led the restart from Luke Oldfield and Mitchell Gee, with thirty laps still to run. With not even a lap competed the race was brought under caution for Luke Oldfield who had suffered a mechanical problem in the #17 racer and slowed to a stop high on the track in turn four. Unfortunately for Oldfield it would be a very premature and disappointing end to his night of racing.

Still with thirty laps on the board Logan Schuchart led the field to the green, this time with Mitchell Gee and Peter Lack on his tail tank. David Murcott took to the high line the moment the race resumed and quickly raced around the outside of Allan Woods, while Lachlan McHugh quickly switched to the high side to follow Murcott around the top. Dan Murray and Andrew Scheuerle were closing in fast on Allan Woods but behind them Callum Walker got too sideways in turn two and was collected by Mark Pholi. Unfortunately for Walker that was his race over too, with just seven laps completed.

Logan Schuchart again led the restart from Mitchell Gee, Peter Lack, David Murcott and Lachlan McHugh but it was Andrew Scheuerle who stepped up the pace and really started moving forward. Scheuerle raced under Dan Murray before turning his attention to Allan Woods, having a look around the high side of the Q44 racer. Paul Rooks and Mark Pholi had a great battle at the rear of the field, with Rooks working the high line beautifully to get around Pholi, then Kevin Titman and Dan Murray in just a couple of laps. Rooks ran the high line beautifully, but Murray is well known for his persistence on the bottom. The battle that unfolded between Rooks and Murray was some truly brilliant racing that captivated the crowd. Kristy Bonsey, who had managed to qualify straight into the main race, pulled out of the race after completing just ten laps, but just one lap later race leader Logan Schuchart exited the race as well with mechanical problems on board the USA1 racer. Mitchell Gee inherited the race lead with nineteen laps left to run, a total of ten cars left in the race, and Peter Lack and David Murcott quickly closing in. Gee was faultless out in front while Lack and Murcott worked relentlessly to close the gap, but all eyes were on Rooks and Murray as the pair exchanged positions more than half a dozen times, generally running two abreast for much of the race and really putting on a breath-taking show for the fans. The racing was clean and exciting, with Murray running the bottom and Rooks having a terrific run on the top. With the leaders quickly closing in on the pair things were about to get really interesting with Gee needing to find a way past to keep some distance between himself and his rivals, but Murray and Rooks embroiled in their own two-wide battle and already using all the race track. Gee was impressive, patient and switched lines effortlessly depending on which driver in front of him seemed to be able to secure the advantage. Rooks was eventually able to pull ahead, open a small margin and, after a few laps, able to get past Allan Woods and create a little breathing space. Gee was still trying to find a way past Murray, but being caught in lapped traffic had given David Murcott, who had found his way past Peter Lack, the chance to significantly close the gap and put up a serious challenge for the lead. Mitchell Gee was never fazed though and remained focused and determined, going on to take the win, his first feature race win in the division, with David Murcott forced to settle for second. Andrew Scheuerle and Peter Lack crossed the line virtually side by side with Scheuerle stealing third from Lack by just 0.047 seconds. Peter Lack finished fourth with Lachlan McHugh rounding out the top five. Paul Rooks had recovered well from his earlier incident and crossed the line in sixth and led Allan Woods, Dan Murray, Kevin Titman and Mark Pholi across the line. Logan Schuchart, Kristy Bonsey, Callum Walker, Luke Oldfield, Bryan Mann, Donny Schatz, Steve Greer and Brent Kratzmann all failed to finish the event.

Sprintcars Queensland will return to Archerfield Speedway on Friday night, 30 December 2016 for our last race of 2016. If the action last night is anything to go by then this Friday night is going to absolutely massive. We are expecting a big field of cars once more and you can be sure that the drivers and teams will put on a breath-taking show. There will be a number of drivers keen to make amends for last night, which, according to their own expectations, were somewhat less than ideal. You will not want to miss a moment of the action so tell your friends, and bring mate, and get yourself out to AusDeck Patios Archerfield Speedway this Friday night! See you Trackside!

 

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