Night 2 – 2025 Australian V8 Dirt Modified Championship.
February 22, 2025
Mr Six Time.
Brisbane’s Kevin Britten made V8 Dirt Modified history when he became the only Six Time National champion after a hard-fought win over defending Champ David Clark with Chris Corbett completing the podium at Sungold Premier Speedway tonight.
“Man, that was fun. That was the race track I’ve been looking for, for every Aussie title we’ve ever run.” Said an ebullient six-time champion after some valve bouncing celebratory donuts.
“Thanks to Premier Speedway for putting on the show and having us, hopefully we can come down here more often.” He concluded.
In the support classes some super exciting racing saw Ben Nicastri nab a nail biting Late Model win on last lap and Tate Frost delivered a birthday win for car owner Matt Eastham in 360LS Sprintcar win.
V8 Dirt Modifieds – “The Aussie Title”
What a stunning sight the V8 Dirt Modifieds made as they paraded the track in the beautiful sunshine led by Defending Champ David Clark and four former champions side by side – Kevin Britten, Mark Robinson, Scott Canon and Andrew Pezzutti – and the rest of the field fanned out three wide with flags flying as the National Anthem was being sung by Maddie Dyer.
On to the racing.
Callaghan Motors Heat 7. Brett Clarke took the lead from Daryl Hickson on pole and then in turn 4 Brent Hough spun between a bunch of cars and luckily no one made contact. Restart required but before this Hickson pulled up to show where some debris was sitting on the track.
While Clarke was out front, Hickson, Paul Tindal and Zac McDonald were having a three wide Battle. McDonald soon broke free and ran down Clarke for the lead and the win from Clarke and Tindal. Pezzutti was having his own battle just trying to keep the N25 from constantly rubbing the wall.
Webber & Chivell – Heat 8. Chris Corbett used the highline to good effect to take the lead and open a gap on the now slick track and it was on the wall where you needed to be as David Clark almost spun while persisting with the low line.
Corbett took the win from Seiton Young and Josh Rose with Clark next.
Subway Warrnambool – Heat 9. This was a stacked heat with Mark Robinson and Kevin Britten sharing the front row. Britten used the highline to take the lead from the start but gave the turn three-four concrete a solid nudge on lap 1 but continued unabated until Marcus Reddecliffe slowed on track.
Six laps left to run and Britten made them all count as he tried hard to scrape the paint off the rear bodywork on the wall. Robinson and Brayd Stephenson completed the top three while Michael Ardley lost a solid finish when he rode the turn 1 wall and damaged the car.
AWM Electrical – Heat 10. Queensland’s Phil Roberts led from pole for a couple of laps until Blake Eveleigh took over, but it wasn’t long until Zac McDonald hit the lead and scored the win from Eveleigh and Rose.
Warrnambool Isuzu Ute – Heat 11. Two false starts – David Hayne on the outside didn’t go each time so was sent back in the pack for the third attempt. Andrew Katz was now on the front row with Gardiner who used the bottom groove to get the lead. Clark looked unsure as to where to run before going upstairs in his quest for the lead. Eventually he steeled on the lower groove and a solid second place finish with Corbett next.
Alan Morrison Excavations – Heat 12. Final heat for the championship and Pezzutti was mid pack with Britten and Robinson on the back on a dry and blackening track.
Jack Smith was leading lap two but spun as he came out of turn four and all hell could have broken loose but thankfully was limited as was room with Shande Ardley left with no room but to hit Smith who continued.
Owen Scott led the restart as Britten and Pezzutti worked hard in close quarters to try and move forward. By mid-race Britten was in the lead. Owen Scott finished second with Robinson and Pezzutti next.
Truckline Warrnambool – B-Main. 12 Laps. Zeke Edwards jumped from the start into a handy lead over Roberts, Paul Markulen and Michael Ardley, with Troy “Billy-Ray” Scott the only car on the highline.
Edwards took the win and the transfer along with Roberts, Michael Ardley and Tyler Scott.
Cobar Steel – Australian Championship Final. 35 Laps.
As high points man Britten received the Silver Fox award presented by the Silver Fox himself – Steve Robinson. Driver’s medallions were handed out by Victorian legends Murray Atkin and John Morse.
The line-up: – Q54 Britten, V51 McDonald, V11 Clarke, N12 Gardiner, V4 Tindal, N48 Corbett, N45 Stephenson, N52 Rose, A1 Clark, N9 Robinson, N25 Pezzutti, N42 Young, V92 Hickson, N91 Eveleigh, N79 Canon, V28 Matt Reddecliffe, N3 Owen Scott, V23 Smith, V21 Edwards, Q3 Roberts, V59 Michael Ardley, V37 Tyler Scott, V3 Markulin and V2 Rodin Blackman.
And with those famous words from legend John Morse, “Drivers, start your engines.” We were off.
The four wide salute to the fans – a magnificent sight – and the tension is near unbearable.
Lap 1, Britten on the bottom, McDonald on the top. Corbett, Gardiner and Clarke next.
Lap 6 and the yellows for Edwards slowing with a flat right rear.
The order now was Britten, McDonald, Corbett, Gardiner, Clarke, Clark, Rose, Robinson, Pezzutti and Stephenson in the top ten.
30 laps still to run.
Britten off into the lead on the bottom. McDonald just hanging on to second from Corbett moves to the bottom to protect the position. No problem, Corbett simply moved to the top.
13 laps and now into lapped traffic but with a 2 second lead and Corbett now in second.
On lap 17 Clarke spun in turn four while running sixth. The only damage was positional.
18 to go for Britten, Corbett, McDonald, Clark, Rose and co.
On the green three wide into turn 1 for 2nd place with Clark moving to position 2 with Robinson soon to fourth. The cream rising to the top.
Britten kept bashing away on the bottom while Clark was wide open on the top and closing.
Side by side with 7 to run. Lapped traffic everywhere.
To the line, Britten takes it by just under a second from a gallant Clark with Corbett, Robinson, Cannon, Rose, Pezzutti, McDonald, Gardiner and Eveleigh completing the top ten.
Britten was officially declared the only six-time Aussie Champ having made weight and measurements.
Premier Speedway wishes to thank the Dirt Modified Association, event sponsors and out lap sponsors for the weekend including Cobar Steel, Island Couriers, Pure Stream AV, Clubhouse Golf Geelong and The Spit Roast Boys.
360-LS Sprintcars
Warrnambool Rapid Mix Concrete – Heat 1. After running the Mod Prod last night Brad warren was in the V69 tonight but only lasted until lap 2 when the car slowed brining on the yellows.
Sam Wren led the field back to the restart cone with Daniel Storer on his tail. Championship points leader Brett Milburn was flying and just as he took the lead, his quasi teammate Kim Loong-Gosling tagged the front straight wall brining on the yellows again.
Wren would get a reprieve and restart from position 1 and made a great jump and gapped Milburn who threw a last-ditch slider on turn four of the last lap but couldn’t quite get it done.
Coastal Wholesalers – Heat 2. From outside pole Matthew Symons went straight to the lead and Tate Frost worked his way onto his tail throwing out a challenge or two until Thomas Baker spun in turn two.
Birthday boy Robbie Paton (fuel leak) and Alex Thomsen both pulled in.
On the restart Frost dived inside into turn 1 and took the lead and Ben Morris did the same down the other to take second.
With two to run Travis Millar in the Brett Pope #32 slowed in turn 3 and Jack Van Bremen tagged the wall in reaction and rolled. Leader Frost was just able to squeeze between the wrecks and the wall to keep his lead.
With no more dramas Frost took the win from Morris, Thomas McDonald and Symons.
Mathew Morse Architect – Heat 3. Marcus Green didn’t start and Dennis Jones led the field on the opening lap and led to the chequered flag on a drying track. Shane Steenholdt was running well until he spun but continued without causing a stoppage. Zoe Pearce’s Sprintcar debut went well with no issues.
McLaren Hunt Financial group – Heat 4. Warren from pole was a bit keen to get some important points but spun in turn 1 and was clipped by Symons but then slammed by Baker.
Steven Horton should have started from pole but a broken front shock saw him on the infield before the restart. While Frost took advantage of the situation Thomas McDonald gave up 2nd place when he rode the turn 1 wall.
Frost went on to win by 4.6 seconds from Daniel Storer and Paton.
Welsh’s Garage Doors & Gates – Heat 5. More frustrating issues prevented Green from starting his second heat.
Steven Loader loaded up from the front row and went straight to the lead with Milburn next from a closing Harry Ross.
For the second time in his two heats Milburn tried a slider off the last turn but again was just a little short as Ross was a close third.
DirtXindustries – Heat 6. Brooke Buckingham powered off the line straight into the lead and led the fist 5 laps until pole man Will Carroll took over eventually stretching out a lead of 1.5 seconds with Morris back in third.
Pearsons Nursery – B-Main. 15 Laps. Nigel Laity used the pole to advantage as Mitch Smith dropped back an little and was clipped by Luke Storer with no issues.
On lap 5 leader Thomson stopped on track brining on the yellows.
Laity and Aldersley brought them back to the green with Paton soon grabbing second. Pearce was clearly comfortable running the wall on debut in 5th place.
Pearce was moving forward and dived under Paton for the show spot with aplomb. Laity took the win by 2.4 seconds from Pearce who set the races fastest lap, with Paton and Koby Noonan next,
Rafferty’s Tavern – A-Main. 30 Laps. Frost and Milburn made a powerful front row with Daniel Storer and Morris next.
A missing man formation was run as tribute to Steve Caunt who passed from cancer this morning.
Out of turn 2 for the first time Morris tagged the wall and then behind this Wren and maybe Ross made contact and Wren spun and was hit by Noonan and Laity.
A complete restart was called, and Milburn milked it but then hit a hole in turn 1 and nearly got the wall but survived in the lead. On lap 2 Ross slowed and called a yellow.
Finally, some flowing laps with Milburn leading from Frost, Carroll and D Storer.
On lap 10 Milburn was on the bottom due to traffic and Frost stayed up the top and took the lead with Storer now third.
Lap 15 and lapped traffic nearly did it again as Milburn lunged but had nowhere to go.
On lap 18 Michael McDonald rolled and the reds came on.
Disaster for Carroll who didn’t take the restart.
With 5 to run Frost was back into lapped traffic and Milburn slid under in turnm 4 for the lead only for the yellows to flash as Storer stopped with a blown/flat right rear.
Frost was back in front for the restart with only four to run as Jones stopped to point out some debris on the track.
On the way to the finish Milburn got the wall as did Cunningham but Frost scorched on for the win ahead of Milburn and James Oliver, Thomas McDonald and Luke Cole.
Late Models
KFC – Heat 1. Local lady racer Fiona Verhoeven failed to start with a lack of horsepower and then during hot laps Sydney’s Ben Nicastri broke the left front wheel brining the session to a halt.
When racing got underway Cameron Pearson in the Tim McPherson AX97 leaned hard on pole man Peter Nicola to get the lead and then went straight to the high line in a great display of racing with Nicola never far away. Brothers Chevy and Brock Edwards battled hard and close for the minor positions.
Custom Sprintcar Models – Heat 2. Thankfully Verhoeven was back in the fold as Shane Belk was late to the grid for his front row start. Pole man Brock Edwards missed the start as Nicastri was up the inside into turn one. Three wide and Edwards got turned around and cars went everywhere with thankfully little contact or damage as all cars except Will Lamb restarted.
Belk was adjudged to be the cause of the turn 1 issue and was sent rear of field. In anger he passed the pace car and was gassing it up to go infield but spun out instead. An animated Belk was at a loss to understand why he’d been penalized. Hard to pick out one car from the gaggle.
Nicastri soon took the lead as they were four wide at times until Peter Nicola spun in turn 2 on lap 4.
Chevy Edwards soon grabbed the lead and slapped the turn four wall every lap as Dylan Barrow used the pole line to great effect to take the win with Nicastri grabbing second off the last corner by less than a metre.
Southcoast Curtains & Blinds – Feature. 20 Laps. Pearson on pole looked ominous with Barrow alongside looking for his second feature in tow nights across two divisions.
Barrow went straight to the front taking Nicola along with him who had to contend with Pearson.
Then came Harper finally showing some of his known speed.
On lap 5 Baker stopped on track setting up a Delaware restart with 16 to go.
Again, Barrow jumped well with Nicola next followed by the Nicastri, Callum Harper, Pearson battle pack.
Lap 11 and Nicola was seriously close, if only for a lap.
With 6 to run the yellows flew for debris on turn 2.
Another restart this time with Barrow, Nicola, Nicastri, Harper, Pearson and the Edwards’ Brock and Chevy.
With Barrow and Nicastri in front Nicola and Pearson made contact in turn three after Nicola slid Pearson but then there was not enough room for Pearson to come back under and contact was made with Nicola spinning. Both cars ended up on the infield.
5 laps to run and only six cars left.
Last lap out of turn two Barrow bobbled and Nicastri grabbed the lead. Barrow threw it in hard into turn three and was momentarily back in the lead in turn four but Nicastri’s momentum on the high line got him to the chequer by 0.322 seconds from Barrow. Harper, Brock and Chevy Edwards and Belk completed the runners.
Sungold Stadium Premier Speedway
10275 Princes Highway
Allansford
www.premierspeedway.com.au