Simon Craven scorched to his first win this season when he took victory in the 7th round of the FGBMFI.org Formula 500 Stampede Series at Horsham’s Blue Ribbon Raceway last night. Ash Sinclair, Will Carroll and Steven Horton rounded out the top 4.

Craven shared the front row with Dale Sinclair who sped away at the opening and held the lead before slowing rapidly with motor problems forcing him out of the race just 2 laps in. This handed the lead to Craven and he was never challenged as he went on to take the win.

Meanwhile Sinclair and Carroll were having a great battle for the minor placings. Both drivers swapping positions on several occasions before Sinclair was able to edge Carroll out for 2nd. Horton meanwhile stayed out of trouble and completed a good night for the Horton team in 4th.

Jeremy Beddison was next in line after having a trouble free night. Mat Turner started the night in the worst possible fashion by missing his opening heat of the night. After winning his 2nd heat he started the A-Main from 16th and eventually sped his way into 6th position.

Robert Trewartha was next across the finish line completing a great night for the rookie. Shane Van Duynhoven was next with defending series champion James Aranyosi behind him in 9th. Justin Sadler completed the top 10.

Ryan O’Keeffe was next in line with Adrian Christian and Brett Willsher completing the field. Staurt Reading was having his first run in a Formula 500 but finished on the infield. He was joined by Dale Sinclair and Tyler Carter.

Andrew Morton suffered a season ending knee injury when a steering component sent him straight into the turn 2 wall. The impact was so hard that the chassis was bent in multiple places. Thankfully Morton was in good spirits after the race.

Craven dominated the opening heat of the night winning the 10 lap affair by over half a lap. Aranyosi finished in 2nd with Dale Sinclair finishing 3rd. Heartbreak for Willsher who slowed in sight of the chequered flag while running in 2nd. Ash Sinclair was third and had nowhere to go. Fortunately both drivers were able to cross the finish line and record a finish. Horton took the next heat win. Carroll finished 2nd with Trewartha in 3rd.

After missing his opening heat, Turner recovered for the win in heat 3. O’Keefe sped into 2nd with Aranyosi picking up his 2nd consecutive top 3 finish. Dale Sinclair led his brother Ash to the line in an all Sinclair Quinella in heat 4. Craven raced from 6th starting spot to finish in 3rd.

Round 4 that was washed out at Laang Speedway has been rescheduled for Saturday April 28th. This round and the final round at Darlington in May sees the point’s battle heating up. With the winner receiving a brand new 250cc Crossfire Motorbike the final 2 rounds will be hard fought.
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.
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