Series winner Mark Robinson (centre) flanked by Series runner-up David Clark (left)

and third-placed Kevin Britten (right) Ben Graham photo

 

ROOSTERS CUP FINALE THIS WEEKEND

Lismore's Mark Robinson captured a thrilling Feature race win in the final round of the Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series at the Lismore Speedway on Sunday night (Apr  4) and in doing so also secured Series Championship honours.

After finishing third in the opening Roosters Cup round in December, Robinson won the remaining three of rounds on his way to claiming his maiden Roosters Cup Championship. David Clark's fifth place finish was enough to secure him the runner-up spot in the Series, while Kevin Britten went from seventh coming into the final round to third in the overall standings following his runner-up finish.

NSW Champ Matt Pascoe was the early leader in the 30-lap Championship finale, making the most of his front-row (pole) starting position. Fellow front-row occupant Kevin Britten was deposed early by Robinson, with the leading trio establishing a buffer over the ensuing pack.

While Ray Eggins, Andrew Pezzutti, Darren Latimer & David Clark engaged  in an intense battle for position behind the lead group, Robinson made his move for the lead, executing a calculated outside pass on Pascoe with half-race distance remaining.

Despite several restarts over the closing laps, Robinson would maintain his race lead for the remainder of the event.

After succumbing to Robinson, Matt Pascoe soon found himself fending off a determined Kevin Britten, who was looking to secure his second consecutive podium finish in Lismore. Britten would eventually move by Pascoe into second, with the pair going on to claim the remaining podium positions behind Robinson.

Andrew Pezzutti, the defending Roosters Cup Champion and the highest point scorer after two nights of qualifying action, was fourth, from David Clark, Jai Stephenson & Darren Latimer. Tony Sneddon, Allan Jarvis and Barry Ashen rounded out the top ten.

Flat tyres would end the hopes of both Gary Wathen & Mick Sauer, while Scott Cannon retired with just ten laps completed with brake problems. Ray Eggins retired at the halfway point, having run as high as fourth in the early going.

Tony Sneddon, Maurice Yardley, Paul Booker, Scott Cannon, Michael Butcher & Melissa Latimer secured their positions in the main event after finishing in the top six in the last-chance B-Main, while Jai Stephenson, Gary Wathen and Scott Cannon took out the three heat races contested on Sunday night.

Contingency prizes were won by Paul Booker (steer tyre from GW Racing) and Trevor Blanch (Inside Speedway subscription) while Mark Robinson and Ray Eggins each won vouchers from Ian Boettcher Race Parts (Robinson) & Quantum Racing Industries (Eggins) for their mini-feature wins on the preliminary night.

Roosters Cup Grand Final

(30-laps) 1st Mark Robinson, 2nd Kevin Britten, 3rd Matt Pascoe, 4th Andrew Pezzutti, 5th David Clark, 6th Jai Stephenson, 7th Darren Latimer, 8th Tony Sneddon, 9th Allan Jarvis, 10th Barry Ashen, 11th Keith Muller, 12th Phil McNamara, 13th Paul Booker, 14th Maurice Yardley, 15th Michael Butcher, 16th Melissa Latimer, DNF: Ray Eggins, Mick Sauer, Scott Cannon, Gary Wathen.