Kane Crowned NSSS Champion for 2009
11/02/09…NASR/SSA Media Release
The Adelaide Convention Centre, overlooking the picture-perfect River Torrens in the centre of the city, was the venue for the 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series Awards Ceremony on Sunday night, at which Darren Kane and the Ian Boettcher Race Parts team were crowned series champions.
A great turn out of the nations best Super Sedan teams were in attendance, with Master of Ceremonies Wes Beadman hosting the gala dinner to recognise driver achievements in Australia’s premier Super Sedan Competition.
NASR Chairman and Speedway Sedans Australia CEO Neil Sayer opened proceedings, thanking Carline Mufflers for their support, welcoming the teams and outlining some interesting statistics. Across the ten round tournament, there were six different round winners and 25 different heat winners from the 87 heats completed. Of the car constructors, on a 3-2-1 scoring system for the podium finishers in each round, Rocket Chassis scored 18 points, from Dominator Chassis 17 and Sweet Chassis, 10.
In accepting his championship award, Darren Kane was joined by team principle Ian Boettcher and was quick to thank the hard work of his team, noting the determination that ensured the new Dominator chassis was competitive from day one. Boettcher was equally thankful and proud, telling all that it was his most successful car to date, being very competitive ‘straight out the box’.
Second place Matt Pascoe congratulated Kane and also thanked his hard working crew, particularly car owner Vic Bugler, without whom he would not be able to compete.
Third placed Michael Nicola paid respect to Kane and Pascoe, saying that he had thrown everything at them, but was beaten by two great drivers. Nicola also showed his fierce competitiveness, expressing his feelings about running third, saying “it sucks!”
Lachlan Onley was the recipient of the Bergmeier Engineering Rookie of the Year, while the Shock Doctor Best and Fairest, judged on a 3-2-1 basis at each round, was won by Matt Pascoe who received $1000 for his efforts. Second place went to Jarrod Harper.
Pascoe was also humbled by being awarded the John Leslight Driver’s Driver award for the second consecutive year. The Driver’s Driver is a prestigious award judged by each contracted driver on a 3-2-1 basis.
The announcement of the Rocky Resort Hard Charger had everyone surprised, not least the man who won the award, retiring Queensland veteran Jack Childs. Childs moved forward in every feature he contested, a full 14 positions more than second placed Michael Doblo.
Jarrod Harper won the NASR Chairman’s Award in recognition for his efforts in overcoming the frustration of failing to finish a number of feature races while in podium positions, usually due to no fault of his own. Harper’s results were certainly not a reflection of his speed, talent and commitment to the series.
The Art by Mickey Most Heat Wins was won by Kane, while the American Racing Tires Crew Chief of the Year was won by David Knight, crew chief for the Ian Boettcher Race Parts Mazda RX8 of Darren Kane.
The Oval Express Best Presented Car and Crew was also awarded to the Ian Boettcher Race Parts Team, who were judged to have the whole package – car, crew uniforms and transporter.
Kane and Boettcher collected the Carline Mufflers Championship Trophy and Perpetual Trophy to round out proceedings, thanking Carline Mufflers and the array of associate sponsors and supporters.
Summary of Award Winners:
ART BY MICKEY MOST HEAT WINS – Darren Kane (13 Wins) There were 25 different heat winners in the 87 heats throughout the series
OVAL EXPRESS BEST PRESENTED CAR AND CREW – Boettcher Racing Team
AMERICAN RACE TIRES CREW CHIEF OF YEAR – David Knight (Kane)
ROCKY RESORT HARD CHARGER – Jack Childs
BERGMEIER ENGINEERING ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Lachlan Onley
JOHN LESLIGHT DRIVERS DRIVER AWARD – Matt Pascoe
AFCO SHOCK DOCTOR BEST AND FAIREST – Matt Pascoe
NASR CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY – Jarrod Harper
Final Championship Standings (top 20):
Position 20 – 1096 points SAM HUGHES
Position 19 – 1168 WAYNE RANDALL
Position 18 – 1326 TREVOR WARE
Position 17 – 1380 MICHAEL HICKEY
Position 16 – 1547 DAVID NICHOLS
Position 15 – 1989 DANNY MILLER
Position 14 – 2252 RON BERGMEIER
Position 13 – 2295 JACK CHILDS
Position 12 – 2491 BILL MILLER
Position 11 – 2675 TONY BARKLIMORE
Position 10 – 2698 MICHAEL DOBLO
Position 9 – 2828 BRAD SMITH
Position 8 – 2917 LACHLAN ONLEY
Position 7 – 3085 DAVID GARTNER
Position 6 – 3236 JARROD HARPER
Position 5 – 3503 WAYNE BRIMS
Position 4 – 3775 SHANE BEST
Position 3 – 4080 MICHAEL NICOLA
Position 2 – 4319 MATT PASCOE
SERIES CHAMPION – 4622 DARREN KANE
The 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
Carline Mufflers, Bergmeier Engineering, American Racer Tyres, JD Couriers, Shock Doctor, Oval Express Magazine, Art by Mickey, APCO Warrnambool, Comfort Inn and Suites Robertson Gardens, Rocky Resort Motor Inn, Comfort Inn on Raglan, National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR), Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF), J & C Carrell Speedway Photography