Two-time national champion Kevin Purton annexed his inaugural Carline National Super Sedan Series feature race win with a powerful performance in round 9 at Speedway City last night (Saturday, January 23), leading home rookie sensation Clayton Pyne and defending series champion Darren Kane. Starting from pole position after top qualifier Sam Hughes elected to start from the outside front row, Purton set a cracking pace at the front of the field in a faultless performance that has propelled him into the top five in the championship standings.

Dave Gartner and Brad Smith completed the top five, with series leader Matt Pascoe finishing sixth ahead of Jordan, Michael Nicola, Jamie McHugh and Shane Best. Dan Miller was next best, with Ashley Bergmeier, Trent Wilson, Trevor Ware, Tony Howlett and Wayne Miles completed the finishers.

Despite an overheating engine and a suspected blown head gasket, Hughes took the early lead before succumbing to Purton after just three circulations. After dropping several more spots, Hughes ultimately headed infield in what was a disappointing end to an otherwise excellent night for the unassuming Tasmanian. Once in front, Purton never looked likely to lose, despite the best efforts of Kane and a late surge by Pyne that procured his best ever NSSS result.

Whilst on target for his third podium result this season for much of the event, Gartner’s fourth-place finish was sufficient to place him inside the top three in the series points. In finishing fifth, Smith also scored his best result of the series, withstanding plenty of pressure from the pack behind in a battle that raged for the duration. By edging out Jordan to snare sixth, Pascoe now has a stranglehold on the championship heading into the final round at Murray Bridge tonight.

After being banished to the rear of the field after heavy contact with Smith in turn three on lap three that left Wayne Brims and Chris Blunden on the infield, Best stormed back through the field to salvage a top ten result.

Others who failed to go the distance in the 35-lap feature included Bill Miller, Steve Vaughan and Michael Doblo.

Hughes and Purton were the standout performers in the preliminaries with two heat wins apiece, with Kane, Brims, Jordan, Gartner and Pascoe also recording wins. Nicola took out the B Main ahead of Bergmeier, Miles and Wilson, with Vaughan, Dan Miller, Ware and Howlett also transferring into the main event.

Contingency winners

AFCO Shock Doctor Lucky Sevens – Steve Jordan
Super Charge Hard Charger – Dan Miller
Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil Lucky 13 – Trent Wilson
Oval Express Best Presented Car and Crew – Dave Gartner
Ian Boettcher Race Parts Hard Luck Award – Sam Hughes

2009/2010 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series progressive pointscore top ten (after 9 of 10 rounds): Matt Pascoe 3410, Darren Kane 2999, Dave Gartner 2658, Steve Jordan 2580, Kevin Purton 2562, Jamie McHugh 2561, Michael Nicola 2301, Clayton Pyne 2256, Sam Hughes 2195, Brad Smith 2038

The 2009/2010 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors:

Carline Mufflers
JD Couriers
Bergmeier Engineering
American Race Tires
East Coast Traffic Control
Ocean Tyres
Lukey Exhausts
APCO Warrnambool
SuperCharge Batteries
Ian Boettcher Race Parts
AFCO Shock Doctor
Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oils
Kincrome Tools and Equipment
Art by Mickey
Oval Express Magazine
Hoosier Racing Tire
Clearview Towing Mirrors
SSA of NSW
QSCA
J&C Carrell Speedway Photography
Race Hard Race Gear
City Motor Inn (Toowoomba)
Rocky Resort Motor Inn
National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR)
Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)