It was a brutal battle of the big guns at Avalon Raceway this weekend when Mark Brown of the Rondalee #42N machine took out Round One of the Speedcar Series before a bumper crowd.

Pre-race favourite odds were on Michael Pickens in the Ed Pink Ford/Breka #4NZ from the New Zealand Seamount team, but the young-gun Kiwi and his fellow teammate Adam Clarke #9NZ were held off by the ever-impressive form of Brown in his new Mopar/Aggressor combination.

Clarke and Brown led the A Main Feature to the green flag, with Pickens, Dene McAllan #21WA, Steven Graham #1AU, Troy Jenkins #2N, Grant Draney #2Q and Mark Cooper #7N lined up behind them after one of the most nail biting pole shuffles seen.

After a quick progression through pole shuffle challenges by Cooper, Draney and Jenkins, it was Mark Brown who almost walked away with pole position from 5^th place by defeating Graham, McAllan and Pickens (by only 0.04 seconds), before challenging highest points qualifier Adam Clarke in what was set to be a vicious two lap contest. With an ultra tight wheel-to-wheel roll around to the green, the pair hit the first corner with such velocity they tangled, forcing Brown from the remainder of the shuffle with damage, giving Clarke pole and the $200 bonus SSS prize from Rod Bowen’s Prestige Smash Repairs. The Brown crew retired to the pits to feverishly fix the car for the A Main aided by fellow competitors and teams.

Clarke shot to an early lead in the A Main followed by Brown, Pickens, Graham, Jenkins, Cooper, Matt Young #6N and McAllan before the yellows were lit for Speedcar Rookie Stevie Walsh of New Zealand who had come to a stop in turn four with mechanical issues. On the restart, Brown made a huge move under Clarke to steal the lead before Matt Young flipped in the back straight, who without damage could be restarted at the rear of the field.

With the race again under green, Clarke successfully pulled a highline pass on Brown snatching back the lead before the aggressive Brown shot under Clarke in the back straight raising on-your-feet cheers from the crowd. Brown led the race with both Seamount/Breka machines of Clarke and Pickens nipping at his heels, followed closely by Aussie Champion Graham, Jenkins and Cooper who were battling for the final five.

With 16 laps remaining the red light was brought on for Victorian star 22V Darren Hossack who rolled in turn three and was again lit when the fifth position assault erupted between Cooper and Jenkins who hooked cars before Vic Club President David Crabtree 97V, slammed into the side of the pair and rolled.

With the trio restarted rear of the field the race went green once again with Clarke and Pickens persistently using both high and low lines in an effort to grasp the lead from Brown. With 7 laps remaining the threesome hit lapped traffic to Pickens’ advantage, allowing him to pass Clarke on the turn 2 low line for second. Trying a similar move on Brown a lap later surrounded by heavy traffic, Pickens was caught out by a lapped car almost relinquishing his second position back to Clarke.

“9 times out of 10 you go to the outside and someone is going to get under you,” said Pickens after the event. “But with the lapped traffic we thought we’d take the chance”.

Mark Brown stormed across the line for a much-deserved win, followed by Michael Pickens, Adam Clarke, Steven Graham and QLD’s Grant Draney.

“The Series is incredible and to get stuff like tonight is just awesome,” said race winner Mark Brown after his $2000 Prize was presented. “These two guys (Pickens and Clarke) aren’t just the best here but two of the best in the world”.

The National Speedway Illustrated Quick Time prize was awarded to Steven Graham, whilst 10^th home Victorian Brad Jackson 6V scored the M & W Aluminum US $150 voucher.

Time Trial Top 5

1. Steven Graham 14.244, 2. Michael Pickens 14.518, 3. Adam Clarke 14.590, 4. Dene McAllan 14.627, 5. Troy Jenkins 14.784.

Heats went to:

1. Adam Clarke (NSW), David Crabtree (VIC), Mark Brown (NSW)
2. Troy Jordan (VIC), Michael Pickens (NZ), Troy Jenkins (NSW)
3. Dene McAllan (WA), Steven Graham (NSW), Mark Cooper (NSW)
4. Mark Brown (NSW), Troy Jenkins (NSW), Stevie Walsh (NZ)
5. Grant Draney (QLD), Adam Clarke (NSW), David Crabtree (VIC)
6. Harley Bishop (VIC), Michael Pickens (NZ), Dene McAllan (WA)

Pole Shuffle:

Cooper vs. Draney = Draney

Draney vs. Jenkins = Jenkins

Jenkins vs. Brown = Brown

Brown vs. Graham = Brown

Brown vs. McAllan = Brown

Brown vs. Pickens = Brown

Brown vs. Clarke = CLARKE (pole shuffle winner)

30 Lap A Main.
1. Mark Brown 42N, 2. Michael Pickens 4NZ, 3. Adam Clarke 9NZ, 4. Steven Graham 1AU, 5. Grant Draney 2Q, 6. Dene McAllan 21WA, 7. Darren Power 5V, 8. Mark Cooper 7N, 9. Harley Bishop 0V, 10. Brad Jackson 6V, 11. Shane Ryding 49N, 12. David Crabtree 97V, 13. Troy Jenkins 2N, 14. Tarin Edge 73N, 15. Ben Wiese 5SA, 16. Matt Young 6N, 17. Darren Hossack 22V, 18. Stevie Walsh 27N, 19. Nathan Smee 18N, 20. Troy Jordan 11V.

Round 2 of the Speedcar Super Series is set to torpedo through Toowoomba at Charlton Raceway December 3, 2005. With the amount of furious action and superb Speedcar racing experienced in round one, be sure to come along and be a part of history in the making!