Matt Brown became the driver with the most race victories in Oval Express Series history last night as he surpassed Ken Willsher’s long time record with victory in round 2 at Avalon Raceway.
Jess Moulden finished in 2nd with national champion Liam Williams and Mitch Whiting completing the podium.
On a slick racetrack Brown showed a cool head to pull away at every chance taking the win by almost a quarter of a lap. Moulden started her night off in great fashion with a heat victory and held her own in second for the entire A-Main although there were a few challengers throughout the race from Williams.
Following Williams and Whiting across the line was current Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales Champion Charlie Brown. Brown was followed by Round 1 winner Jake Hagopian with Jye O’Keeffe, Chad Sullivan, Leigh Van Ginneken and Mat Turner rounding out the top 10.
Will Carroll was next in 11th with Grant Stansfield, AJ Blackstock, Brock Hallett, Thomas Davies, Steven Horton, Dylan Willsher and Dale Shilleto rounding out the finishers. Ash Sinclair had mechanical problems while Lee Hardess rode out a big crash after steering failure turned the once pristine V21 right into the main straight wall.
A massive crash marred the start of the B-Main when no less than 4 cars flipped with Queensland’s Brad Metcalfe requiring Ambulance attention when Methanol poured into his eyes while upside down. All drivers were ok in the accident.
After the turn 1 mess was cleaned up Carroll went on to lead Davies, Shilleto, Stansfield, Hardess and Horton across the line to pick up the transfer spots. Andrew Morton and Matt Higgs were the reserves for the A-Main. They were followed by Justin Sadler, Roy Urpeth and Tyler Carter.
Drivers that were involved in the Turn 1 accident that finished on the infield included Brett Dillon, Shane Van Duynhoven, Kristin Brown, Angelo Karoussis, Dale Sinclair, Gerrard Mabbitt, Robert Trewartha, Metcalfe, Andrew Rae, Steven Ellement and James Aranyosi.
A beautiful night greeted the 38 competitors with the track being fast and wide. 6 Heat races were contested with Moulden taking the opening heat. Williams and Turner rounded out the top 3. Ash Sinclair took the victory in heat 2. Austin Farley crossed the line in second after leading earlier in the heat while Hardess rounded out the top 3. Heat 3 saw O’Keeffe lead from flag to flag ahead of Sullivan and Stansfield.
Matt Brown charged through the field to win heat 4. Charlie Brown finished in 2nd while Willsher finished 3rd. Whiting held off Hagopian for the win in heat 5. Van Ginneken finished 3rd. Blackstock won the final heat of the night. He was able to defeat Andrew Rae and Hallett after they had a great dice of their own for the minor placings swapping positions lap after lap.
Attention now turns to Round 3 to be held at Sungold Stadium, Warrnambool tonight. The pocket rockets put on a show 2 weeks ago at the Jack Willsher Cup and will once again set the high banks on fire. Racing is set to start at 5.30 sharp with World Series Sprintcars also on the card.
Contingency Prizes
Random Draws drawn at the Drivers Meeting
Lethal Race Wings Front Wing - V15 Leigh Van Ginneken
Swift Industries Shock Dyno Test - V5 Chad Sullivan
PBI Sprockets Australia - NSW9 Roy Urpeth
Hoosier Tire Australia Right Rear Tyre - SA27 Angelo Karoussis
Oval Express Magazine Best Presented Car Award (Round 1) - Q1 Charlie Brown
Quick Race Shocks C-Main Award from Round 1 - V92 Robert Trewartha
Quick Race Shocks B-Main Award - V6 Will Carroll
Swift Industries Nearly Award - V17 Andrew Morton
Hyper Racing Australia Lucky 13th Award - V75 Andrew Blackstock
Driven Performance USA Runner up Award - V53 Jess Moulden
The Victorian Formula 500 Association would like to thank all of the Tracks, Sponsors and Officials for their valued support during the 2011/2012 Oval Express Formula 500 Super Series.
We also have a Facebook page. Search for Australian Formula 500 Facebook Page and ask to join
2011/2012 Oval Express Formula 500 Super Series Sponsors
Oval Express Magazine- Phil & Michelle Jordison and Jon Evans
Eagle Motorsports- Bill Mann & Stephen Bell
Aussie Trackwear- Tracey Brown
Quick Race Shocks- Rob Richardson
Hoosier Tyres Australia- Max Dumesny
Swift Industries- Darren Mollenoyux
Hyper Racing Australia- Dave Hedington & Mike Dicely
Lethal Race Wings- Leigh Van Ginneken
PBI Sprockets Australia- Mat Coates
Phil Jordison Photography- Phil and Michelle Jordison
Driven Performance USA- Mark Hagopian and Gary Olsen
Victory Lane Racegear- Mat Eastham
Maxam Printing- Trevor Cotterill
Empire Graphics- Craig Bottrell
Pit Crew- Warwick & Matt Hunter
Redback Lasers- Kelvin Johnson
Spruce Enterprises- Lee Hardess
2011/2012 Oval Express Formula 500 Super Series Remaining Dates
Round 3- Sungold Stadium, Warrnambool- January 1st 2012
Round 4- Laang Speedway- January 3rd
Round 5- Simpson Speedway- January 4th
Round 6- Mid Western Speedway, Darlington- January 6th
Round 7- Laang Speedway- January 7th
Round 8- Sungold Stadium, Warrnambool- January 8th (Grand Final)
Rd 2 winner Matt Brown
Whiting, Williams, Matt Brown, Moulden
Jess Moulden
Rd 2 winner Matt Brown
