A sensational weekend of racing for Ben Butcher has landed his race team on the podium for the 2019 Australian 360 Sprintcar Championship at Kalgoorlie International Speedway.

After taking the second quickest time in time trials behind Victorian, Tim Van Ginnekin on Friday night, his heats were consistent of his form all season, taking a second and a third placing.

With points being tight, it placed the W42 in 8th on points for the preliminary A Main. The ever threatening skies over the Goldfields 450m circuit opened up at the A Main role around and unfortunately halted the proceedings and was cancelled for the safety of the competing teams.

A 1 heat and feature was the order of the night for night 2 and Butcher seized the opportunity by taking a race win in his heat. A Healthy 3rd place start was to be the order of the feature as the cars were called to grid.

On the green flag Butcher fought with a couple of competitors early until a stoppage saw him restart in 4th. A quick pass on local driver, Taylor Milling, saw him get his third place back and he surged forward until another stoppage.

Trying a bold pass on Van Ginnekin nearly paid off bur he settled int third and contained the car in the podium position until the chequered flag. A result he was happy with after narrowly missing the podium at last years’ national title.

“Obviously to go one better than last year is great,” he said climbing from the car. “It was tough in night one, chasing set ups all night, but, tonight was better and we were rewarded for our efforts.”
It was a consistent performance that has only added to another outstanding season for the young driver who is really starting to find his feet in the sport he loves so much.

“The main thing is we’re having a bit of fun with the team. That counts for a lot, especially when the family’s involved.”
Hi attention now turns to Narrogin Speedway on April 6th for the final of the Make Smoking History Power Series, where he holds a reasonably convincing lead.

Looking into the crystal ball for next season, be it very distant sees Butcher making a possible trip across the Nullabour for the national 360 title at Victoria’s Simpson Speedway, along with a few more 410 events possibly on the cards should things transpire to his liking in the near future.

Gaining more knowledge is key in the sport and he has plans in place to head to the US in the off season to crew for a 360 ASCS National outfit for a couple of months to help him take further steps forward. Something that he is keen on doing as it will only serve him well in the years ahead