Eureka Series Win for Hickman
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History was created by Rusty Hickman at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway last Sunday night, when he became the youngest winner of the Eureka Garages & Sheds Sprintcar Series after wrapping up the point standings battle in the 13th and final round.

The 18-year-old racer from Bendigo in Victoria is wrapping up his first full season in 410 Sprintcars, after being forced out with injury for the majority of last season when he broke his back in a crash at Murray Bridge Speedway in a 360 Sprintcar. Since then, he has shown amazing car speed and coupled with good results that have been the main ingredients for his Eureka Series success.

During the season, Hickman contested every one of the 13 Eureka Series rounds and claimed his maiden 410 Sprintcar feature race win at Wangaratta City Speedway earlier this year. Less than a month later, he backed it up with another win at Moama’s Heartland Raceway.

There were times during the season though where things didn’t go to plan. While running in contention for a podium finish at Hamilton’s Western Speedway, mechanical trouble struck, and he recorded a DNF. Thankfully, the disappointments of DNFs were few and far between, which allowed him to celebrate the success of the series win.

“It is great for the confidence to win the Eureka Series and it also helps getting my name out there,” said Hickman.

“Being able to tick this off an achievement like this so early in my career and to do so with the team and my family with me is the most pleasing part of all. Without them (my family), it simply wouldn’t be possible. We had a few up and down moments throughout the season but in the end, we came out the winner and that’s great.”

In last weekend’s final Eureka Series round, Hickman, who had picked up $200 for setting the quickest time in his qualifying group, had to finish no worse than ninth in his opening heat and did so with ease, coming home in second. With the pressure off his shoulders, he came home in sixth for his second heat.

Starting from position seven in the feature race later in the night, Hickman was trying to move forward on what was a challenging track. With the bottom of the track slickening off and the middle and top of the track a little on the rough side, he continued to chase the middle got up to as high as fifth place, before having a moment in turn four and losing a few spots. At the fall of the chequered flag, he came home with an eighth-place finish.

Hickman and his team will now have a fortnight off, before returning to action in the Easter Trail over three nights: Geelong’s Avalon Raceway (March 30), Mount Gambier’s Borderline Speedway (March 31) and Premier Speedway (April 1).

Hickman is proudly supported in the 2017-18 season by: Hickman’s Tree Maintenance, Beeps Auto Parts - Bendigo, Victory Lane Racegear, Tasco Petroleum, Mobil 1, Choice Graphics, Jackal Fencing, Peerless Products Pty Ltd, Advanced Engine Dynamics, Camden Signs, and J&J Auto Racing. Special thanks must go to Sandie and Darren (mum and dad), Amy and Olivia (sisters), and Frog, Jett Speed and Ricky Clarke (crew members).

To find out more about Hickman and the Hickman Motorsport team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Hickman Motorsport Vic 40.