Controversy mars title race

Chris Pendry was one of the last men standing in the Super Street Sedan division.

CHRIS ISON

THE Morning Bulletin reported the racing was hot in the CQ Fender Benders Title feature race on Saturday; the trouble is we were not aware how hot.

On the night it was Heath Simpson who crossed the line in first position with Beau Saunders just a little behind him.

However, Simpson never got the chance to raise the CQ Shield as a decision was made that those finishing positions be reversed.

Rockhampton Saloon Car Club president Gillian Koch said there had been an “altercation” two laps before the end of the race.

Saunders was leading at the time, but came away from the incident trailing Simpson. Officials viewing the race decided the title should go to Saunders.

“That’s how the chief steward called it,” Koch said.

It appears Simpson is pursuing his right to protest the decision.

Worries Danny Lennon had lost his edge were unfounded as the ace Super Stocker driver blitzed the field to win Saturday night’s feature at the Rockhampton Showgrounds.

It was vintage Lennon as he led from start to finish and with none of the familiar mechanical failures he was always in control.

Lennon and Jeff Ohl began the race in the pole positions, but Lennon’s superior car speed got him an early advantage he never looked like losing.

Ohl and Lee Briskey ended up in a dogfight for the runner-up position, but once Briskey was ahead he always had a little in reserve to shut the experienced Ohl out.

The Super Stockers had originally gained the biggest field of the night with 22 drivers nominating. By the time the feature was raced this number was well down and, remarkably, the scramble for positions never resulted in the usual mayhem this division of racing usually enjoys.

Fields have been getting bigger in V8 AMCA National division, but not on Saturday with just six cars in for the feature race. With so few on the track it did not take long for the field to sort itself out.

When Andrew Baker spun out on the first corner as he attempted to get among the leaders the race became even more clear-cut.

From the restart Dean Ballard shot into a healthy lead and from that point never looked like being caught.

It would have been nice to see a bit of pressure placed on Chris Pendry in the Super Street division.

With just three cars in the feature race that was never going to happen with Pendry leading from the green light to the chequered flag.

The next meeting scheduled for the Rockhampton Showgrounds is on March 27 with Blackwater holding a meeting this weekend.