RACE REPORT: SOUTH COAST 660
“I only did three runs (in the Cavalier)
but it is a nice little car to drive – with a
few more runs in it we would have gone
pretty well I reckon, I hadn’t driven an
automatic car for a lot of years, and it is a
bit different to driving a Pro Stock car, but
I got the hang of it all right and overall
it was a really good weekend and I had a
great time.”
In the Summit Racing Equipment Junior
Dragster ranks, Ponton’s victory was a
break-through for the Melbourne-based
teenager who has been racing for just
over a year.
On her way to her final against Turic,
she was victorious over Josh Baker,
Madi Sparrow, Chelsea Sammut and
championship leader Bradley Bishop.
Turic had secured his place in the final
by taking victories over Amber Young,
Adrian Saliba and Brooke Camilleri before
enjoying a bye in his semi-final.
“It was an awesome feeling knowing that
all of the hard work is starting to pay off
and seeing all my friends and family be
so happy for me,” said Ponton of the win.
Another breakthrough win was hosted in
the Top Sportsman ranks, with Nichele
turning what was his third consecutive
Top Qualifying result into a “dream come
true” maiden event win on Sunday.
On his way to his first ANDRA Christmas
Tree, he took on Ricky Smith, Andrew
Sanders, Greg Damiani and Jason Arbery
after starting his day with a bye in round
one. Runner-up Arbery had faced off
against Andrew Chessells, Daniel Jones
and Vlado Turic before a bye run in his
semi-final.
“I have been around the sport basically
since I could walk – my father had an
involvement in it and my passion has
always been there and never gone away,”
Nichele said.
“The dream was always to get a car one
day, and then the next one was to do
what we did at the South Coast 660 – win
a silver ANDRA Christmas Tree. Hopefully
now there is more to come, but I can tell
you, there is nothing like winning!
“The track was in absolutely excellent
condition and the car was being as
consistent as it had ever been, so after
Top Qualifying I knew I just had to make
sure I took advantage of how good the car
and the track was and try and capitalise
on that opportunity to win my first ANDRA
Christmas Tree. To get it done was just
brilliant, a dream come true.
“I want to thank my fellow competitors
and especially Jason on a great final
race. I couldn’t have won either without
the help of some great people along the
way – Nick, Scott, Mark, Enio and Frank
in particular, and also the companies that
have put their valued support behind us