'The Hammer nailed SA1!’ Shane Hendry has clichéd the biggest win of his career to claim the Ultra Tune Campbelltown South Australian 360ci Sprintcar Championship at Adelaide’s Speedway City.
Against a quality field of 18 competitors, which included the reigning Australian Champion and some of the best competitors hailing from New South Wales, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and the ultra tough South Aussies the competition was stiff but when the chequered flag fell it was the Gawler based resident who greeted the flag first with a stout performance.
Going into the final Shane had qualified in fifth position to give him an inside third row grid spot and with 25 laps on the board Shane knew it would be a case of playing patience if he was to move his way forward and as the laps counted down that is exactly what Shane did.
On the opening lap Shane quickly made up one position passing Keke Falland into fourth and two laps later slotted by Michael Lovegrove into third. Catching the lead two cars of Ryan Jones and defending title holder Mark Caruso proved to be more of a challenge however with several race stoppages due to other people spinning and crashing out of contention the field of cars were kept tightly bunched at the restarts.
With Jones setting the pace, Shane dialled in on the back of Caruso and as the front runners negotiated their way through lapped traffic was where Caruso ended his South Australian Title defence, tangling with a back marker and crashing out of the event. This brought on another stoppage and at the restart Hendry was right behind the reigning Australian Champion in Jones.
At the green Shane again targeted the back of the leader and started to try different race lines as the track was in great condition to run different race lines and with three laps to go Shane slipped by Jones and into the lead. One lap later the race was back under caution after another competitor spun out of contention. From that point on Hendry went on to claim the win with Keke Falland and Michael Lovegrove rounding out the podium.
When asked about how the race unfolded in the closing stages Shane replied. ‘Sitting in second can be a advantage sometimes because you have a car in front out up to gauge the speed of your car on the lines you are running and this can also help when approaching lapped traffic. Shane then went on to make a special mention. ‘I must thank Mum and Dad without them wouldn't be here racing, thanks to Mel and Jess for their support and my brother Dan for an awesome setup once again been doing it all year and also a big thank you to Garry, Rob, Chris and Darren for sponsoring the car without your help it would be a lot harder.’
Release and photos by: Paris Charles
www.parischarles.webs.com
Shane Hendry is proudly supported by:
Creative Concrete Bobcat and Tipper Hire
Horrible Haulage
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