Charlie Brown last night scorched to victory in night 1 of the Victorian Formula 500 title held at Horsham’s Blue Ribbon Raceway.
The defending champion held off a fast finishing Jye O’Keeffe, Liam Williams and Chad Sullivan in an grueling 25 lap A Main.

Brown started on the front row beside fellow Queenslander Brock Hallett. Both drivers recorded a win and second place in both of their heat races. Will Carroll shared the 2nd row with Mat Turner while Dale Sinclair started 5th with O’Keeffe on his outside. Chad Sullivan started from 7th with Williams on his outside.

In a caution filled race on a 2 lane race track that saw plenty of close hard racing Brown was able to keep a cool head when needed taking the win. With the leaders coming to the white flag O’Keeffe was able to pass Brown but couldn’t get the move done with Brown fighting back into the lead and passing a lapped car on his way to winning the race.

The race was really hotting up behind the leaders with Williams, Sullivan and Turner all having turns at running third throughout the race. Ultimately Turner would finish 5th continuing his strong form. Drive of the night came from Mitch Whiting who drove from 18th starting spot courtesy of a transfer from the B-Main to 6th.

Hallett faded to 7th with Ash Sinclair in 8th. Grant Stansfield was next in 9th while Jess Moulden rounded out the top 10. Local hope Jeremy Beddison was next in 11th with AJ Blackstock, Brett Dillon, Robert Trewartha, Carroll, Brett Willsher, James Aranyosi, Gerrard Mabbitt, Andrew Morton, Josh Fort and Jarryd Irving completing the finishers. Leigh Van Ginneken, Mathew Symons, Dale Sinclair and Ash Hicks watched the finish from the infield.

Stansfield held on to win a carnage marred B-Main. Moulden finished 2nd. She was followed by Ash Sinclair, Blackstock, Dillon, Whiting, Trewartha, Fort, Mabbitt, Irving, Morton and Symons to transfer to the back of the A-Main. Several cars were involved in a nasty crash on a restart. With 9 laps remaining Whiting’s car refused to fire with Steven Horton, Dylan Willsher, Shane Van Duynhoven and Phil Smith all involved while sitting in transfer spots.

Hallett took the opening heat win of the weekend with a dominate performance in heat 1. Dale Sinclair raced his way into 2nd with Horton rounding out the podium. Kristin Brown and Mabbitt made contact with both drivers finishing on the infield. O’Keeffe continued his fine form with a win in heat 2. Carroll and Williams completed the top 3. Turner won the next heat with Charlie Brown next in 2nd. Stansfield finished 3rd.

Sullivan took the win in heat 4 after a great run. Hallett raced his way from 5th to 2nd with Williams picking up another podium finish for the weekend. Charlie Brown went 1 better than his earlier 2nd with a win in heat 5. Carroll finished in 2nd with Van Ginneken rounding out the top 3. Heartbreak for Kristin Brown who pulled in while leading the heat. Brad Tink took the final heat race of the night with a win in heat 6. Jeremy Beddison and Dale Sinclair rounded out the top 3.

Brown holds a slender 6 point lead over Hallett heading into the 2nd night of competition. Turner is next with O’Keeffe and Sullivan rounding out the top 5. Racing will begin at the earlier start time of 4.30pm with a full support program.

The opening round of heats tonight will see the highest points after last night starting up the front. The second round of heats will see the highest points coming from the rear of the field with the rows crossed.

After the qualification heats have been completed, a 20 Lap B-Main will be run with the top 12 transferring to the back of the A-Main. After 12 heats and 3 Mains the 2012 Victorian Formula 500 championship will be run over 25 laps with the top 24 cars doing battle for the coveted Victoria 1 crown.

The Victorian Formula 500 Association would like to thank the Committee, Volunteers and Officials from Blue Ribbon Raceway for their valued support of the 2012 Victorian Formula 500 Championship.
We also have a Facebook page. Search for Australian Formula 500 Facebook Page and ask to join.

2012 Victorian Formula 500 Championship Top 10 Points after Night 1

1st. Q1 Charlie Brown 288
2nd. Q13 Brock Hallett 282
3rd. V32 Mat Turner 271
4th. V55 Jye O’Keeffe 269
5th. V5 Chad Sullivan 267
6th. V6 Will Carroll 266
7th. A1 Liam Williams 264
8th. V45 Jeremy Beddison 247
9th. V50 James Aranyosi 238
10th. SA29 Grant Stansfield 237