Anderson claims Max's Race

GRANT Anderson held his nerve from the front row to win his second Max’s Race at Sungold Stadium Premier Speedway last weekend.

By Staff Writer

The legendary Max Dumsney stands on the podium with placegetters Jamie Veal (2nd), Grant Anderson (1st) and Jy Corbet (3rd).

The experienced Albury driver survived a war of attrition to win the 30-lap A-Main feature, holding off Warrnambool’s Jamie Veal and Queensland’s Jy Corbet.

“I have to say I’m pretty happy right now. Anytime you can win here is a good night for sure,” Anderson said.

“It was a bit tough out there and it was really fast on that surface. They do a great job here working with this track but at the moment it’s hard work. No one’s making this place be like it is deliberately.

“I'm pretty happy tonight- I've come out on top.”

From position two, was next to polesitter Alex Orr, who set a blistering pace in the eight-lap dash earlier in the night and led the feature early.

The carnage came on the opening lap, with Tasmanian driver Tate Frost crashing out in front of the grandstand.

Moments later, heartbreak for Orr as he crashed into the turn one wall and Corbet inherited the lead ahead of Anderson and reigning Max's Race winner Jock Goodyer, before Anderson made his move to grab the lead with 20 laps to run.

James McFadden, fresh home to Australia from his American racing season, was the next casualty, crashing hard into the turn three wall after Brock Hallett’s right rear tyre made contact with McFadden’s left rear wheel.

McFadden was out and Hallett continued on.

Up front it was still Anderson leading and he was in control and running a strong racing line before Goodyer hit the wall with 14 laps to run.

Hallett was forced to the back with car issues, with 11 laps remaining.

The eye-catching drivers were Veal who came from eighth to grab second, American star Carson Macedo who was fifth after winning the B-Main and Corey McCullagh who finished sixth in his first race back for nearly 18 months.

Anderson kept a steely resolve and didn’t flinch under pressure from two-time Max’s Race victor Veal to claim the win and the $7000 prizemoney.

The beautifully hand-carved wooden V5 trophy was presented to him by Max Dumesny.

“It’s pretty cool to get this trophy off a legend of the sport,” Anderson added.

“We were lucky enough to win it a few years ago (2019) so to get another one is awesome; it’s world class competition here.”

Earlier in the night, McFadden, Orr, Anderson and Daniel Pestka took out each of the four heat races, while Veal and Corbet posted the fastest quick times of flight one and two respectively, with times of 10.302 and 10.345seconds.

The third round of the Belkblast Protective Coatings Southern Pro Late Model Series saw former Australian champion Callum Harper clinch the 12-lap A-Main with a flag-to-flag drive from Chevy Edwards and Peter Nicola.

An elated Chevette Muir of Kyneton scored an emotional victory in the Formula 500 Junior Scramble.

From grid position nine she drove a calculated and patient race to snatch the lead from Aston Rodriguez who drove impressively to lead for 10 laps from pole position.

With five laps remaining, Muir seized the lead, only to encounter a yellow flag, requiring her to do it all again as she was put back to second.

With two laps remaining she held her ground and made a decisive pass on Rodriguez, with Hugo Chivell following her from position 10.

The pair crossed the finish line in that order, with Rodriguez third.

Zac Stevens was solid in fourth place, with Evie Bell fifth.

Action will return to Premier Speedway on Monday January 1, 2024 with the final round of the Clay-Per-View Speedweek for Sprintcars – with Street Stocks as the support class.