Smith Smokes Sydney

NSSS News Release

SSA Media Release

Brad Smith stormed to victory in round three of the 2011/2012 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series at Tyrepower Sydney Speedway tonight, leading home series leader Darren Kane and Australian champion Steve Jordan in a thrilling 35-lap feature race.  Smith started the feature from pole position after an unbeaten run through qualifying, while Kane and Jordan worked their forward from the third row of the grid to fill the podium.

Smith’s domination of the event – his first clean sweep result since the series began – was in  stark contrast to his efforts at the corresponding round last season where he struggled in a performance that ultimately cost him second overall in the championship.  On this occasion, Smith was smooth and fast from the outset, winning his opening two heats from deep in the field before an all-the-way victory from the front row in his final preliminary.

In the early laps of the event, Smith skipped clear of the field by a considerable margin with only Victorian champion Lucas Roberts within striking distance.  However, Roberts’ race ended on lap 18 when he was unable to avoid Jason Campbell, who had speared across the track after contact from Graeme Elliott.  The contact sent Campbell into a roll over the turn one embankment and left Roberts ruing his rotten luck whilst in such a strong position. 

From the ensuing restart, and subsequent interruptions following spins by Tony Barklimore, Michael Hickey and Sam Hughes, Smith found himself under considerable pressure from Kane, Jordan and Jarrod Harper, who had advanced to second at one stage.  At the final restart, Smith surrendered the lead for the first –and only –time when Kane assumed command.  Not to be denied, Smith regained the ascendancy as the laps wound down to score a memorable win.  Kane was satisfied with second, while Jordan’s consistency keeps him firmly entrenched in second overall in the series standings. 

Harper ultimately finished in fourth place ahead of Lachlan Onley, Wayne Randall, Wayne Brims, David Nichols and Steve Latham, with Mark Pagel continuing his impressive run to round out the top ten. Dave Gartner was next best in advance of Bill Miller, Sam Hughes, Michael Hickey, Robert Carrig, Tony Barklimore and Graeme Elliott, with only Michael Nicola and Tania Smith joining Campbell and Roberts on the sidelines.

Other heat winners on the night were Kane, Nicola, Gartner, Roberts, Brims and Nichols, while Smith took out the B Main ahead of Pagel, Miller, Hickey and Barklimore.

2011/2012 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series progressive pointscore (top ten): Darren Kane 1815, Steve Jordan 1550, Brad Smith 1381, Lachlan Onley 1353, Wayne Randall 1319, Jarrod Harper 1316, Dave Gartner 1183, Mark Pagel 1133, David Nichols 1111, Lucas Roberts 960

Contingency Winners

Supercharge Hard Charger: Jarrod Harper

Shock Doctor Lucky Sevens: Wayne Brims

Oval Express Best Presented Car and Crew: Steve Jordan

Monroe Pole Winner: Brad Smith

American Racer Encouragement Award: Brad Smith

The 2011/2012 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by:

Carline Mufflers
Speedway Australia
Speedway Sedans Australia
Lukey Performance Products
Supercharge Batteries
Monroe Shock Absorbers
JD Couriers
Ian Boettcher Race Parts
American Tire and Racing Services
Hoosier Tyres
AFCO Shock Doctor
Oval Express Magazine
Elf Racing Australia
Bob Jane T-Mart Modbury
Motel Le Grande (Albany)
Comfort Inn and Suites Robertson Gardens

Steve Jordan, Brad Smith and Darren Kane