Ash Sinclair ended the season on a high when he took the win in the final round of the Jettco Triple Crown Series at Darlington’s Mid Western Speedway last night May 5th. Liam Williams finished 2nd with Chad Sullivan and James Aranyosi rounding out the top 4.

Sinclair shared the front row with Williams and won the race heading into turn 1 and never surrendered the race lead in the caution filled 25 lap journey. With the top 6 all in the contention for the race lead, lap traffic played its part. With the lead cars in heavy lap traffic, the yellows would come on more than once.

Will Carroll was in contention right throughout the race and was running in 3rd before losing the handling on the car in turn 2 on a restart losing 2 positions. He would eventually finish in 5th followed by Dale Sinclair. Matthew Symons completed the season on a fantastic note finishing in 7th. Shane Van Duynhoven was next in 8th followed by AJ Blackstock and Mathew Coates.

Terry Rankin held on for 11th in only his 2nd Formula 500 race. Ryan O’Keefe was next in 12th after being reserve for the race. After a kind gesture from Kevin Freeman, the two drivers agreed to swap positions with Freeman allowing O’Keefe the final starting spot. Gerrard Mabbitt was next in 13th with Steven Horton rounding out the finishers.

Grant Stansfield finished on the infield after sitting in a top 10 position. Robert Trewartha also sat on the infield at the completion of the race. Brett Willsher, Tyler Carter and Phil Smith also watched the remainder of the race on the infield. Reigning Australian Champion Jess Moulden made contact with the concrete coming out of turn 2 and brought the first caution on in the race.

After the heats were run and won Liam Williams led the way in the Dash. He led Ash Sinclair and quick time man Will Carroll to the line. Dale Sinclair was next with Chad Sullivan and Brett Willsher rounding out the top 6.

With the dash determining the top 6 starting positions for the A-Main, the last chance B-Main was always going to be a do or die affair. With 14 cars transferring to the back of the A-Main, the start was always going to be crucial.

Shane Van Duynhoven and Phil Smith shared the front row and led the snarling pack into the first corner. With both cars not giving an inch, Smith was able to use his track position to good advantage and speed into the lead. On the second lap Ryan O’Keefe spun to avoid a group of cars who had come together to bring on the only yellow light of the race.

At the resumption Smith led Van Duynhoven away and would soon come under immense pressure from James Aranyosi. After dispensing of Van Duynhoven, Aranyosi set his sights on Smith and would soon take advantage of a mistake from Smith. After passing Smith, Aranyosi set into the distance taking the B-Main win.

Smith held on for second with Steven Horton, Jess Moulden and Shane Van Duynhoven rounded out the top 5. Mathew Symons was next. He was followed by Grant Stansfield, Gerrard Mabbitt, AJ Blackstock, Robert Trewartha, Mathew Coates, Terry Rankin, Tyler Carter, Kevin Freeman and Ryan O’Keefe rounded out the field. Freeman snatching the final transfer spot.

Liam Williams took the opening heat win of the night. The former National Champion led Shane Van Duynhoven and Mathew Coates to the line after speeding from 6th starting spot.

Brett Willsher took the win in heat 2. After starting on pole he sped away with the win leading Dale and Ash Sinclair to the line. Adam Turner finished on the infield after engine dramas put an end to the heat. Jye O’Keeffe also finished on the infield after his experimental 2 stroke motor refused to play the game.

Newly crowned Stampede Series Champion Will Carroll started the night off in fine fashion topping the charts in time trials. His 12.687 lap was good enough for Quick Time. James Aranyosi was next with a 12.815 followed by Steven Horton 12.979, Phil Smith 13.029 with Chad Sullivan rounding out the top 5 with a 13.044 second lap.

The Victorian Formula 500 Association would like to thank Stephen Bell from Jettco Developments for his valued support of the event.
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