Shane O’Brien and Mark Taylor collected their biggest career victories at Alexandra Speedway at the weekend.
Defeating more than 70 competitors, O’Brien came out on top in the 100 Lap Derby for open sedans after a terrific three-way battle with Andrew Jordan and Steve Kershaw that lasted most of the second half of the race, while Taylor was a consistent competitor in the Mick Corbett Memorial for crash and bash, coming from last and hitting the front when several fancied runners found themselves out of the race due to damage.
In the derby, O’Brien was one of the top competitors and qualified in the top half of the starting line-up for the feature event. However, Damien Miller was the best of all in qualifying, winning all three of his heat races to claim pole position ahead of Healesville racer David Donegan, Darren Nelson, Daniel Scott, defending champion Lennie Bonnici, Peter Cox, Jordan, Josh Service and Frank Ramsdale, with eastern suburbs racer O’Brien back in 13th starting spot.
Things didn’t go all Team O’Brien’s way, with his brother Nathan involved in a crash as competitors headed into turn one on lap one, ending his race. Then on lap 12, defending champion Bonnici — the O’Brien boys’ brother-in-law — crashed in almost the exact same spot, right in front of team supporters.
Daniel Scott, who raced in Darwin in a sprintcar the previous weekend and is flying back to race in a sprintcar in Darwin this weekend — also had his derby cut short in his purpose-built chassis car.
Donegan took the lead from Miller around lap 13 for a short time before Miller assumed the lead again. O’Brien moved into fifth spot on the 23rd lap, just as Miller left the track and did not return, handing the lead back to Donegan, who led Jordan and Nelson.
Before lap 30, O’Brien moved to third spot in a tussle with Brad Warren and the two exchanged spots more than once. Jordan took the lead on lap 39 from Donegan and nearing the halfway mark the two spots changed again. It was at this point of the race that Donegan suffered mechanical damage and slipped back and out of the race and O’Brien slotted in behind Jordan.
Steve Kershaw put himself into the thick of the action and Jordan, Kershaw and O’Brien swapped the top three spots around for several laps. Kershaw and Jordan held down the lead position until O’Brien took the lead for the first time on lap 93 and did not look back.
O’Brien went on to add his name to the prestigious win list of the 100 Lap Derby defeating Jordan, Joel Andrews, Kershaw and Gareth Wilson.
O’Brien was ecstatic after the race.
“What a feeling this is,” he said.
“You never count yourself out because you never know what will happen in these endurance races, but I am lost for words right now. What a battle with Jordy (Jordan) and Curly (Kershaw).
“I am so proud of my team, my family for all their support and efforts to make this happen with me and share it with me.”
In the 68-lap Mick Corbett Memorial event for a class that allows restricted contact, Taylor began the race in dead last spot.
Jackson Basten qualified in top spot after three heat races for each competitor, with Brad Trainer, Shane Roycroft, Daniel Williams, Matthew Haby, Rob Bushell, Mark Hebblethwaite, Russell Hill, Craig Claridge and Nathan Taylor the top 10 starters out of about thirty.
After a hectic start, class champion Trainor was the first driver to exit the race on lap one with damage. Bushell led Basten and Roycroft at the 10-lap mark, with fancied racer Jason Judd way back in the field. On lap 13, Nathan Taylor slammed in to the back of Haby, ending both of their races, while Mark Taylor moved to 11th spot.
Bushell slipped down the field as they neared lap 20 and Roycroft led Hill and Basten before a whole bunch of cars, through damage or breakdown, left the race, including Hill and Claridge. Jaidyn Dredge became the new leader on lap 18 and 20 laps later he was still at the front with Williams second, Peter Jenner third and Mark Taylor in fourth spot.
A few incidents slowed the race down with caution periods and Williams took the lead until he needed to pit, and Taylor took control from lap 48. Taylor went on to win by almost a complete circuit of the track from Ashley George, Daniel Kettels, Williams and Roycroft.
With the Corbett family there to hand over the trophies, Taylor became the first winner of the Mick Corbett Memorial.
“I do not know what to say,” he said.
“Winning this race after starting last, it being the first one, me being in a new car — it’s all a bit much to take in right now.
“I am very happy with winning, and I hope we all gave the Corbetts a great night to reflect on Michael.”
Alexandra Speedway Club returns to action in November when the 2022-23 race season begins.