Chad Sullivan took the win last night in a controversial Round 4 of the FGBMFI.org Formula 500 Stampede Series at Ballarat’s Redline Raceway.
Jye O’Keeffe crossed the line in 2nd with Ash Sinclair and Will Carroll completing the podium.

After battling pole sitter Mat Turner early in the race for the lead, Sullivan set out on building a commanding lead. While Sullivan was in heavy lapped traffic O’Keeffe passed Turner and set his sights on Sullivan with the pair eventually battling for the lead.

With just 6 laps remaining, both cars were side by side exiting turn 4 when contact was made causing Sullivan to spin. With the yellows coming on officials deemed it to be a racing incident putting Sullivan back in the lead.

From that point on Sullivan was never headed taking the win a full straight away ahead of O’Keeffe. Sinclair continued his recent strong form passing Turner for 3rd midway through the race. Carroll also finished on his 2nd consecutive Stampede Series Podium passing Turner with 2 laps to go.

Turner was able to hold on for 5th. Justin Sadler had his best A-Main result since debuting in the Formula 500’s this season finishing in 6th. Former Stampede Series champ Steven Horton finished 7th with defending stampede series champion James Aranyosi in 8th. Phil Smith finished 9th with Brett Willsher rounding out the top 10.

Shane Van Duynhoven finished 11th. He was followed by Robert Trewartha, Josh Fort, Lee Hardess, Rod Barker, Matthew Symons, Adam Turner, Ryan O’Keefe and Andrew Morton. Tyler Carter flipped half way through. After the extreme heat during the day some track work was done prior to the A-main. With the track still a little greasy hot laps where given to all drivers with Jarryd Irving unfortunately flipping causing him to miss the A-Main.

4 heat races were conducted earlier in the night with Turner taking the opening heat race win of the night. Sullivan was 2nd with Morton 3rd. Dale Sinclair and Dylan Willsher both suffered blown engines putting them out for the night.

O’Keeffe took the win in heat 2. Carroll and Ash Sinclair rounded out the podium.

Heat 3 was won by Sullivan with Turner picking up his second consecutive podium finish. Horton finished 3rd. Van Duynhoven took the final heat race of the night with Ryan O’Keefe and Sadler in the top 3.

Attention now turns to the next round of the FGBMFI.org Formula 500 Stampede Series to be held at Laang Speedway next Saturday night, 3rd March. It gives drivers and crews the last chance to have a run at Laang before the track hosts the 2012 Australian Formula 500 Title to be held on 9th & 10th April.
The winner of this season’s FGBMFI.com Formula 500 Stampede Series will also win a brand new Crossfire 250cc Motorcycle valued at $2800 kindly supplied by Ken and Cheryl Willsher of Crossfire Motorcycles & ATV’s.
The Victorian Formula 500 Association would like to thank the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International and Ken and Cheryl Willsher from Crossfire Motorcycles & ATV’s for their valued support of the 2011/2012 Victorian Formula 500 Stampede Series.
We also have a Facebook page. Search for Australian Formula 500 Facebook Page and ask to join.