Easter Recap - GIANCOLA BEATS THE RAIN - Thurs 22nd April, 10

Easter saw the first Super Sedan State Title for the decade.

And what a success it proved to be for the Albany Speedway and
Super Sedans in general.  The weekend started with the Calcutta held in the Clubrooms.  Top money was paid for Defending Champion Kodee Brown - $800.00.
A traditional night of nervous energy from crews and drivers alike washed down with social drinks and some racing stories.

Saturday morning saw scrutineering held at Albany Powdercoaters.  Well run and organized with only a few minor work orders issued.  The main worry was the threatening weather.

A field of twenty five cars presented for the week ends activities.  This years title promised to be the most hotly contested Championship in many years with the in-form Higgs clan, WA1 Kodee Brown, Frank Does, Mark Giancola, Lyall, and Ivanow to name a few.  The track was in incredible condition thanks to the knowledgeable guidance from Bill Gibbs and his team, rain making the job more tricky.
A huge crowd assembled despite threatening skies to witness the Grand Parade and commencement of heat racing.  As if going to script the cream rose to the top.  Heat wins going the way of The Brown Dog Kodee, Giancola, Keith Higgs, Dusty Higgs, Squally Higgs, Ivanow and Frank Does.

The real disappointment from the Heats was Big Bad Bert. Unreliability issues with the potent Panterra resulting in a no show from the wily veteran.

The B Main for non-qualifiers went the way of Robert “Squally” Higgs who was later disqualified for mechanical (defect smoking engine) giving the win the Blake Jackson.

Pole position for the Lap Feature Race was earned by Kodee Brown. Sharing the front row was Dusty Higgs.  The track was hooked up thanks to a previous rain shower which suited the two leaf sprung cars on the front of the grid.

At the drop of the green flag the defending Champ, Brown, was under siege from the Dustman, Higgs.  After several aborted starts, the most amusing was seeing the Busselton Bullet Kevin Bell nose first into a tractor tyre on turn two. Fortunately not a lot of damage.

Early retirement was the Carnarvon RX8 of Peter Lyall with a failure in the driveline and Rob Bawdon parked on the infield early also.  Lap 10 saw a controversial incident in turn 2 where Giancola propped to avoid hitting a car and was collected by Ivanow who suffered a wrist injury, ending his title hopes and Giancola’s car suffering suspension damage to the left front corner on his Dominator Z link Pontiac.  After the restart another ten laps of racing.  Dusty Higgs still maintained a healthy lead. Unfortunately for the K trans Sweet Chassis of Frank Does the night was about to turn for the worse!  While lapping Nathan Masson the two cars made contact, firing Does into the concrete wall, inflicting terminal damage to his mount – Exit Does.

Eleven laps to go saw the order Garry Higgs, Dustin Higgs, Keith Higgs, Giancola, Brown.

With Does in the wall and rescue workers on the track the field was put under red lights.  Restart saw Giancola make his move in a crippled race car.  The track was starting to go away which suited the aggressive set up Marc was sent out the gate with. 

9 laps to go, the 43 car made a pass on the outside of Keith Higgs 85 seat to claim second position,  A lap later the same outside move was made on 81 Dusty Higgs to take the lead.  From then on the major podium wasn’t in doubt.  Driving mostly with the left front in the air, Giancola opened a big gap.  Back in the pack the Higgs clan were battling for the minors.  Eventually Gary Higgs claimed second, Keith Higgs third, Dustin Higgs fourth and defending Champ Kodee Brown fifth.

All drivers were full of praise for the venue and other competitors.  The rain, on queue, fell shortly after the final.

Albany’s crowd comes out to support Super Sedans in droved which inspires a large car count and spirited racing.

This takes Marc’s Title Award to three in this division and has youth on his side to continue his racing career.

Glenn Piper

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