Mitch Berliner
Ellenbrook Speedway fired back into action on Sunday September 29 with two of the biggest speedway sedan racing events in the country — the Brian Rose Memorial for Street Stocks and the Production Sedan Classic.
The RDA 100, commonly known as the Brian Rose Memorial, saw two interstate competitors travel from Victoria and South Australia for the event, which this year was held over one day rather than two due to an AFL Grand Final clash. Ten-time Brian Rose Memorial champion, Jamie Oldfield headlined the nomination list, which included numerous past and present state and national champions.
Nine qualifying heats were held earlier in the day, with each driver having three races to qualify for the thirty-lap main event. A B-Main would be held to give drivers the final chance to make it into the 24 car feature race, with Bunbury’s David Padmore defeating Ben Norman, Jeff Rogers and Bullsbrook’s very own Anthony Heelan.
Bullsbrook-based Hayden Norman, winner of the State Street Stock Title in 2018, started from pole position for the final. He had a tremendous challenge from the outset to beat his rivals to the checkered flag.
There were several changes for the lead throughout the race, including Jamie Oldfield, Mick Hamon and Paul Briggs. Hayden Norman proved too strong, driving a great race to defeat Victorian Mick Dann and Collie’s Cody Avins.
The Production Sedan Classic, which was rained out earlier in September, again attracted a fantastic field of drivers, including Australian Champion Joel Berkley from Maryborough in Queensland and former West Australian Champion Barry Rose.
The heat racing was extremely hard and fast, and a number of cars suffered mechanical gremlins forcing them to retire from remaining events.
Barry Rose started on pole position alongside Collie’s Beau Riley.
Rose led from the beginning and despite a number of challenges from Riley behind, he would not be headed as his potent Mitsubishi Sigma thrived on a slick race track.
Beau Riley withstood serious pressure from veteran Albany racer Ron Belfield to finish second and third respectively.
Ellenbrook Speedway will fire up for the final time for 2019 on Saturday October 12, with ground-pounding Late Models on the program along with Street Stocks, Production Sedans and Junior Sedans. For more information head to the Ellenbrook Speedway Facebook page, @ellenbrookspeedway or website, www.ellenbrookspeedway.com.au.
Barry Rose (top) and Hayden Norman. Photos thanks to Peter Roebuck.
