fastlane
With more than 170 racers taking part, the
recent South Coast 660 was the largest
ever meeting for Portland’s South Coast
Raceway.
Unsurprisingly with so many racers on-track at the 660ft facility, the action
was relentless across two big days of racing in January.
Day one saw some tough qualifying battles unfold, but ultimately, the
Top Qualifier Medallions – sponsored by The Tile Co-The Shower People,
KC Tools and Summit Racing – would go to Graeme Spencer (Super Gas),
Samuel Perri (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Bill Farrugia
(DENSO Super Street), Danny Rickard (Modified Bike), Daryl Dando (Super
Sedan), Simon Barlow (Modified), Darren Nichele (Top Sportsman), Justin
Russell (Supercharged Outlaws) and Jim Ioannidis (SuperComp).
Come race day, a full and intense day of racing kept the spectators
enthralled.
When all was said and done it was Anthony Panetta (Super Gas), Baillie
Ponton (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Mick Piscioneri (DENSO
Super Street), Gordon Crawford (Modified Bike), Chris Lioulios (Super
Sedan), Craig Baker (Modified), Darren Nichele (Top Sportsman), Jason Keily
(Supercharged Outlaws) and Jim Ioannidis (SuperComp) who would take
victory in their respective classes.
Runners-up were Graeme Spencer (Super Gas), Tommy Turic (Summit Racing
Equipment Junior Dragster), Des Jeffree (DENSO Super Street), Jake Hamilton
(Modified Bike), Steve Hunt (Super Sedan), Matt Czerny (Modified), Jason Arbery
(Top Sportsman), Justin Russell (Supercharged Outlaws) and Shane Baxter
(SuperComp).
While all of the winners were proud to accept their accolades, two felt
especially honoured in receiving perpetual awards introduced at the
event – the Phil Parker Memorial Trophy in Modified Bike and the Chris
Stewart Memorial Trophy in Supercharged Outlaws. Each year, the winner
of Supercharged Outlaws will also have their name inscribed on a special
Chris Stewart memorial shield housed at the Raceway’s HQ.
“This is very special, because at this meeting two years ago I won my very
first ‘tree’ and it was presented to me by Phil Parker,” explained Crawford
in accepting the Phil Parker Memorial Trophy.
25