Jordan Leads NSSS after Rain Affected Opener
28/12/07…NASR/ASCF Media Release
Brisbane’s Steve Jordan leads the 2007/2008 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series following the opening round of competition at Rockhampton Speedway on Thursday night (December 27). Aboard a brand new Dodge Avenger that had not turned a wheel prior to hot laps, Jordan collected a win and runner-up result in his two qualifying heats to emerge as the series leader when rain prevented the feature race from being run.
Australian champion Michael Gee sits in second spot just four points in arrears, having finished second in both of his heats, while South Australia’s Daniel Miller occupies third spot in the series standings ahead of Victorian youngster Ashley Bergmeier and Queensland’s Gary Pagel.
On a night plagued by inclement weather – almost every event was conducted in drizzling rain – the racing produced was remarkable as seven of the eight heats were conducted without a stoppage and produced some sensational racing. Unfortunately, heavy rain started to fall as the feature race field formed and, despite the best efforts of all involved, the meeting was abandoned at this point.
Heat winners on the night included Jordan, Pagel, Miller, Bergmeier, Wayne Brims, Michael Doblo, Michael Nicola and David O’Keeffe. Tasmania’s Brad Smith and Jarrod Harper filled the top two spots in the B Main ahead of WA’s Keith Higgs and defending NSSS champion Wayne Randall.
Despite his lack of laps in the car, Jordan looked at ease from the outset, advancing from position five to finish second in his opening heat, clocking the fastest lap along the way. In his second qualifier, he took advantage of a front row start to keep Tony Barklimore at bay and clinch a win. Amongst numerous highlights of the night was Gee’s opening lap charge in heat two that saw him surge from sixth to second on the opening lap with a terrific outside swoop.
Matt Pascoe was an early casualty with a broken rocker, while Darren Kane and Ron Pyne were plagued by a lack of fuel pressure. The only major incident of the night came in the B Main when local racer Gordon Shaw clobbered the back straight wall and triggered a collision involving Randall and Will Gould.
The Rockhampton Saloon Car Club is to be commended for their determination and cooperation in trying to complete the meeting and the local fans were again enthusiastic in their support, remaining trackside throughout despite the conditions.
Results
Heat One: 1. Wayne Brims, 2. Bevan Collins, 3. Shane Best, 4. Wayne Miles, 5. Wayne Randall
Heat Two: 1. Gary Pagel, 2. Michael Gee, 3. Damien Bugler, 4. Paddy Ward, 5. Leigh Williams
Heat Three: 1. Daniel Miller, 2. David Gartner, 3. Wesley Hose, 4. Grant Shaw, 5. Darren Kane
Heat Four: 1. Ashley Bergmeier, 2. Steve Jordan, 3. Gordon Shaw, 4. Jarrod Harper, 5. Brad Smith
Heat Five: 1. Michael Doblo, 2. Keith Higgs, 3. Wayne Randall, 4. Shane Best, 5. Will Gould
Heat Six: 1. Michael Nicola, 2. Michael Gee, 3. Michael Tomkins, 4. Geoff Phillips, 5. Gary Pagel
Heat Seven: 1. David O’Keeffe, 2. Lachlan Onley, 3. Bill Miller, 4. Daniel Miller, 5. Grant Shaw
Heat Eight: 1. Steve Jordan, 2. Tony Barklimore, 3. Brad Smith, 4. Jarrod Harper, 5. Ashley Bergmeier
B Main: 1. Brad Smith, 2. Jarrod Harper, 3. Keith Higgs, 4. Wayne Randall, 5. Geoff Phillips
Contingency Awards
AFCO Shock Doctor Lucky Sevens: Not Awarded
Sport Engines Hard Charger: Not Awarded
Oval Express Best Presented Car and Crew: Michael Gee
Tassiesupersedan.com.au Hard Luck Award: Will Gould
The 2007/2008 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series progressive pointscore: Steve Jordan 82, Michel Gee 78, Daniel Miler 77, Ashley Bergmeier 76, Gary Pagel 76, Michael Doblo 75, Michael Nicola 74, Wayne Brims 73, David O’Keeffe 73, Dave Gartner 71, Lachlan Onley 71, Bevan Collins 70, Tony Barklimore 70, Shane Best 70, Keith Higgs 70, Brad Smith 69, Wayne Randall 69, Jarrod Harper 68, Gordon Shaw 68, Bill Miller 67, Grant Shaw 67, Wayne Miles 66, Damien Bugler 66, Geoff Phillips 66, Michael Tomkins 66, Paddy Ward 65, Leigh Williams 65, Will Gould 63, Darren Kane 63, Wesley Hose 61, Jodi Barnicoat 60, Craig Torr 58, Chris Bussey 57, Ron Pyne 50, Jamie McHugh 50, Matt Pascoe 45.
The 2007/2008 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
Carline Mufflers, Custom Transporters and Trailers, JD Couriers, Bergmeier Engineering, American Tire and Racing Services, Sport Engines, AFCO Shock Doctor, Weatherall Automotive Services, Performance Wholesale, Art by Mickey, Oval Express Magazine, www.tassiesupersedan.com, Comfort Inn Robertson Gardens, City Motor Inn Toowoomba, Rocky Resort Motor Inn, Comfort Inn Silver Birch, National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR), Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)