FOWLER WINS VICTORIAN TITLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN GRAND PRIX MIDGETS

In searing heat, the Victorian Grand Prix Midget Racing Association arrived at Rushworth Speedway in the Goulburn Valley with temperatures at 35 degrees, whilst clouds made the afternoon overcast making it difficult for the track preparation team at the Goulburn Valley Auto Club to maintain the surface at optimal rating for the whole meeting. Competitors were all chasing the coveted Victorian title victory and after three years in succession of the title heading to New South Wales, finally a Victorian claimed the crown when Greater Geelong based racer Chris Fowler earned his first state title win and became the nineteenth different champion since 1983.

Racers were given four hot laps prior to the first heat starting and competitors commented that there seemed to be a couple of racing lines. Amongst the drivers this season Daniel Meredith is a returning driver to the seat after some time away from racing and was unable to start the heat race with a blown fuse causing issues. Luke Ward is the latest Ward family member to start competing in Grand Prix Midgets and is a newcomer this season, he was another to not get past the first lap with solenoid problems on the starter motor. Even worse news for long time campaigner Mark Blackeby (Vic #10 – Yamaha R1 – Stinger – Spitfire Restaurant Rosebud) as he suffered engine concerns in hot laps and parked his car up for the night.

The starting positions after the hot laps for heat race number one placed Matt Kamolins (Vic #22 – GSXR Suzuki – Paul Perry GHC Chassis – Dalton Building and Garden Supplies) from the pole position with Johnny Rouse, Alex Myers, Chris Fowler, Shawn Ward, Travis Florrimell, Paul Perry, and Locky Robotham the starters.

Proceedings did not last long for Masters series sponsor Florrimell (Vic #81 – GSXR Suzuki – Stinger – Melton Bolts and Industrial Supplies) as he parked his car infield with leaking fluid from the fuel filter on the second lap, not long after Fowler passed Myers into second spot. From lap three Fowler led the race having passed Kamolins as did Myers and the two entered a prolonged race battle.

The newest racer in the lineup Locky Robotham and the second of this season’s current newcomers, moved into third by lap four of the race and by lap five Perry (Vic #33 – Kawasaki ZX12 – Paul Perry GHC Chassis – GB Powder Coating) was in fourth ahead of Kamolins. Perry spun his machine on lap seven sending him to the back of the field and at the same time Shawn Ward was ordered infield by officials due to a loose right rear wheel.

Perry found his way back past Kamolins in the latter laps, whilst Fowler raced the ten laps out in front of Myers and Robotham (Vic #50 – Yamaha R1 – HMJ Chassis – Pitstop Mowers) to defeat Myers by .419 of a second, whilst Fowler was also circulating with the faster lap than anybody else by an even smaller margin of .081 with both he and Myers under the eighteen second mark per lap. Results Fowler, Myers, Robotham, Perry, Kamolins, and Rouse (Vic #32 – GSX 1100 Suzuki – Stinger – JF Racing Team). Kamolins was to bemoan issues of his car switching into limp mode whilst racing was happening, this did not help him trying to hold back Fowler, Myers and Robotham.

Florrimell was slated for the pole position spot in heat race number two with Fowler, Shawn Ward (Vic #44 – Yamaha R1 – Appleton Chassis – McPhee Rodeo Co), Kamolins, Meredith, Myers, Rouse, Luke Ward (Vic #7 – Yamaha 1000 – Anskaitis Chassis – Jackie and Vern Parker Photography & DVDs), and Robotham lining up also. Perry did not start the race with a chain issue and Luke Ward did not fare any better as a throttle jam saw him head infield on lap one.

Fowler led Kamolins, Florrimell and Robotham as lap one concluded, whilst Myers a home town favorite at Rushworth with many years of his grandfather and father setting the venue alight with their exploits behind the wheel, Myers having to exit the race after an attempt on lap, one turn one, to get up through the inside of the Shawn Ward’s car saw his machine ride over the left rear wheel causing damage to the wing of Ward’s car and jamming the chain on his own car. Robotham made passes on Florrimell and Shawn Ward to move into second on lap two. Fowler was once again the fastest on track stretching out to a margin above four seconds. Robotham trailed him to the finish all the way with Shawn Ward, Florrimell and Rouse finishing behind.

Shawn Ward drew pole position for the third and final heat race with Rouse, Perry, Myers (Vic #11 – GSXR Suzuki – PBR Chassis – Automotive Super Balance), Fowler, Florrimell, Kamolins, Robotham and Luke Ward all starting whilst Meredith did not make the green flag with drive shaft issues. Shawn Ward this seasons Association President made the most of the pole position spot and led the field off through the top end of the track and down the back straight through to the end of lap one with Myers, Fowler, Perry and Robotham lined up behind him as they moved through lap two.

Ward was holding the perfect race line in the track conditions and using his veteran experience of racing in the Northern parts of the state. Behind him, Myers in second and Fowler in third swapped the low lane and the mid track lane on the track between themselves trying to find a way past Ward on a rubbered down track. Things changed on lap nine when Myers spun in turn four. Fowler missed him altogether with Robotham spinning to avoid Myers also. Robotham was inserted back in his spot for a restart and Myers had to restart from last position. Ward was able to hold back a determined Fowler to win the last heat by jusy.319 of a second. Perry, Robotham, Florrimell, Myers, Rouse and Luke Ward finished behind the winner.

With the qualifying over, Fowler secured top spot in the field with Robotham the second top qualifier, Shawn Ward, Myers, Rouse, Perry, Florrimell, Kamolins, Luke Ward and Meredith (Vic #8 – Suzuki 1000 – Stinger – Melton Bolts and Industrial Supplies) the order. Association rules state that Rookie race drivers start their first three race meetings at the rear of the field in all races with this applying to Robotham and Luke Ward on that basis.

However, a driver vote that is unanimous in its outcome, can change those positions this is to ensure that those drivers that come into the class and are already a top-level racer can be given the green light to start finals where they qualify. On this occasion all eight other drivers voted to allow both Robotham and Luke Ward to start in the second and ninth spot respectively instead of nineth for Robotham and tenth for Ward.

During the interval as the teams readied themselves for the title race the Goulburn Valley Auto Club opened the pit gates which gave spectators the opportunity to come down to the pits and get a close up look at all of our cars. Our Association was chuffed with the interest as mum and dads brought their kids down who were keen to snap up all our driver’s posters and get photos and signatures, it actually created a great vibe for all classes before we all had finals.

Also taking place during the interval the association in consultation with track officials agreed to a reduced fifteen lap title race with wet weather in Victoria on its way and also due to the condition of the track after the beating it had already taken after the heat of the day and the non-stop racing. As the flag marshal and Steward sent the field on its way Fowler (Vic #13 – Yamaha R1 – HMJ Chassis – R & P Stainer Grinding Services) positioned himself on the racing line leaving the field behind him needing to force a mistake, wait for him to make one, or make a bold move to get passed. Robotham, Myers, Perry, and Shawn Ward settled the lineups top five in the early race stages with Luke Ward out of the race on lap two and Kamolins out of the race on lap three, whilst Myers passed Robotham into second spot on the same lap.

Eight laps into the race and over the halfway mark, Fowler still led Myers. Florrimell was behind Shawn Ward with Rouse tailing the field as Meredith pulled out of the race with drive shaft bearing damage. On lap fourteen Florrimell suffered undiagnosed issues in the engine bay, early thoughts are it may be Fuel Injectors, his race ended and despite a spin on the fifteenth and final lap Perry dropped in behind Ward in fifth position as Fowler claimed the Victorian title victory ahead of Myers, Robotham, Shawn Ward. Perry and Rouse.

Daniel Meredith was awarded the coveted best presented car and team spoils.

Media reached out to the victor Chris Fowler who had this to say after claiming his first ever title victory. “First thing I want to say is that I dedicate the victory tonight to the late Ross Stainer who built the HMJ Chassis’ cars that Locky and I drive. Also, a huge thank you to my father John Fowler who preps the car each week and maintains everything, I just zip up and drive, this win is a team effort, I am the driver he is the man who makes this team what it is. It is as much his win as it is mine. I want to thank the Goulburn Valley Auto Club for their efforts in difficult weather and for bringing the fans into the pits to have a look around, we need to do these things to find new racers, well done to them. Congratulations to the other drivers who achieved podiums and their best possible results tonight.”

Victorian Grand Prix Midget Racing Association supporters:

Stinger Chassis

Melton Bolts & Industrial Supplies

Automotive Super Balance

AustClean

Pitstop Mowers

DMT Speedway Media

Jackie & Vern Parker DVD & Photography

Napier Photography

Written by

Dean Thompson

DMT Sports Media

For Victorian Grand Prix Midget Racing Association