Kane Clinches Fourth NSSS Crown
02/02/2014…Pam Franz…NSSS/SSA Media Release
Darren Kane rose from the depths of defeat to win a fourth National Super Sedan Series crown at Murray Bridge Speedway last night (Saturday, February 1). Having missed a heat after breaking a diff in his opening race of the night, Kane started the 35-lap championship finale from position ten, steadily worked his way forward and ultimately advanced to third on the penultimate lap which, with series rival Matt Pascoe failing to go the distance, was enough to secure the crown. Kane’s series win makes him the only driver the win the title on four occasions and only the second driver to win consecutive championships.
It was Peter Nicola who triumphed in an entertaining JD Couriers-sponsored feature event, leading throughout from the outside front row to score his second NSSS feature race victory. Lachlan Onley qualified on pole position and chased hard throughout, finishing a narrow runner-up to secure his best result of the 2013/2014 series.
Michael Nicola finished fourth in the feature event and third overall in the championship, with Lucas Roberts the best of the non-contracted drivers again in fifth spot, picking up $200 in prizes courtesy of Bob Jane T-Marts Modbury. After being plagued by an engine misfire throughout the heats, Dave Gartner surged from 14th to finish sixth to secure the Supercharge Hard Charger award and fourth overall in the championship. Victoria’s Ash Bergmeier and Mark Pagel were next in line, with Paul Blenkiron completing the finishers and also picking up a $200 bonus for his efforts.
It was a heartbreaking end to the series for Australian champion Matt Pascoe, suffering a power steering failure on the opening lap that dropped him through the field before a lack of ignition ultimately forced him out of the event and the championship lead. Pascoe finished 61points behind Kane in the championship standings, with Michael Nicola another 51 points adrift in third.
Others who finished on the infield included Ryan Alexander, Jack Childs, Luke Dodding, Anthony East, Michael Brown and Bill Miller, who was running very strongly until a flat tyre ended his challenge. Gary Pagel was out of luck again, a water pump problem preventing him from taking his place on the grid, while Kaleb Perrett also failed to front for the feature.
Whilst the heat racing didn’t reach any great heights – Peter Nicola, Kane, Pascoe, Roberts, Miller, Bergmeier and Mark Pagel joining Onley as heat winners – the feature race was a much more exciting affair, a number of dices developing through the field as drivers strived to secure maximum points in their final fling of the 2013/2014 championship campaign.
2013/2014 National Super Sedan Series final pointscore (top 20): Darren Kane, 2967, Matt Pascoe 2906, Michael Nicola 2855, Dave Gartner 2466, Peter Nicola 2354, Lachlan Onley 2346, Mark Pagel 2287, Bill Miller 1903, Michael Doblo 1875, Steve Latham 1790, Tony Barklimore 1588, Lucas Roberts 1288, Jack Childs 1211, Jason Campbell 1190, Ash Bergmeier 885, Gary Pagel 719, Matt Williams 567, Luke Dodding 510, Sean Black 508, Kaleb Perrett 479
The 2013/2014 National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by:
Speedway Australia
Speedway Sedans Australia
American Racer
Oval Express
Super Charge Batteries
JD Couriers
Hoosier Tyres
Queensland Saloon Car Association
SPEED