Oz Late Model

(Report by Ken Brown)

The fourth running of the Australian Late Model Championship at the Quit Motorplex Kwinana Beach (WA) 22^nd January 2005 provided all of the drama - and a bit of the controversy - that seems to be mandatory for an event of this magnitude. And it finished with a 'fairy tale' ending for Manjimup based Bruce Trenaman.

Consider the following scenario that could almost be part of a Hollywood epic. Our hero completes his best ever racing season - finishing second in the season pointscore. Then the start of the current season sees him blow his engine and he is sidelined. Nearly three months later he returns for the big event of the year - races to the front of the field only to be passed by another opponent on the final lap. Despite having suspension problems with his machine, he manages to get his nose back in front in the dash to the line - and wins! Sounds a bit melodramatic - maybe - but that’s essentially what happened - to the winner!

Now what about the dramas involving the rest of the field! It was one of those Championship nights. A field of 22 cars ran against the clock in the time trials with the Ford powered Brad Ludlow being the only competitor to register a lap in the seventeen second bracket. Ludlow set quick time of 17.98 seconds ahead of Ryan Halliday 18.15, Ben Ludlow 18.22, Bert Vosbergen 18.31, Bruce Trenaman 18.41, Craig Vosbergen 18.47, Chace Karpenko (NT) 18.54, Rob MacGregor 18.64, Mark Duncombe 19.01, Scott McPherson (ACT) 19.15, Matt Goodlad 19.18, Brad Blake 19.26, Phil Richards 19.44, Michael Hebditch (ACT) 19.45, David Nylander 19.55, Matt Nylander 19.95, Derrol Crane 19.95, Warwick Hessenberg (NSW) 19.95, Warren Bishop 20.41, Bruce MacKenzie (NSW) 20.49, Kevin Bell 20.75 and Mark Webster 23.35. Unfortunately the rookie Webster clobbered the concrete wall nearing the completion of his first lap and damaged the front end of his car. Webster, Kevin Bell - who also only managed to get a single timed lap, and Phil Richards were not sighted again out on the track.

The Heat 1 lineup was as follows:- Row 1 - Brad Ludlow, Ben Ludlow; 2 - Bruce Trenaman, Chace Karpenko; 3 - Mark Duncombe, Matt Goodlad; 4 - Derrol Crane, David Nylander; 5 - Warren Bishop. Ben Ludlow headed son Brad at the green with Karpenko next in front of Trenaman and Duncombe, who slid sideways and went back through the field. Karpenko slid underneath Brad Ludlow for second as they came up to lap a slower car. Brad Ludlow then clipped the fence at the end of the back straight and slowed. The veteran Ben Ludlow went on to score the victory with Trenaman getting by Karpenko for second spot. Next came Goodlad, David Nylander, Brad Ludlow, Bishop and Duncombe.

Heat 2 saw Ryan Halliday and Bert Vosbergen share the front row followed by Craig Vosbergen & Rob MacGregor; Scott McPherson & Brad Blake; Michael Hebditch & Matt Nylander; Warwick Hessenberg & Bruce MacKenzie. Best to begin was Bert Vosbergen over Halliday, Craig Vosbergen and Blake. After several circuits Craig Vosbergen got by Halliday and began to close on his father Bert. Craig went to the front with Halliday also getting by Bert. Further back MacKenzie spun onto the infield along the back straight. Craig Vosbergen went on to score over Halliday, Blake, Bert Vosbergen, MacGregor, Hebditch and McPherson.

The third heat lineup was:- 1 - MacKenzie, Crane; 2 - Matt Nylander, Duncombe; 3 - Blake, Trenaman; 4 - Bert Vosbergen, Brad Ludlow. Several cars touched through turn 2 but all were able to continue. It was Crane who led Matt Nylander, with Blake on the move. The Bunbury star shot by Nylander and then took over the race lead from Crane. Brad Ludlow raced up to second with the length of the straight back to Crane, Trenamen and Bert Vosbergen.

Heat 4 had Bishop & Hessenberg on row 1, followed by David Nylander & Hebditch; Goodlad & McPherson; Ben Ludlow & Craig Vosbergen; and Halliday at the rear. Bishop spun on turn 2 and was hit by McPherson, Goodlad and Ludlow. Both Bishop and Goodlad were sidelined from the restart. David Nylander showed the way to Hessenberg, Hebditch and McPherson before he spun coming onto the back straight. Craig Vosbergen blasted his way into the lead with Halliday right on his tail. These two swapped the lead several times in an exciting dice before Halliday took control. At the checker it was all Halliday over Craig Vosbergen, Hebditch, McPherson and Hessenberg.

Then it was time for the big one!

Lining up on row 1 were Brad Ludlow & Halliday. Then came - Craig Vosbergen & Trenaman; Bert Vosbergen & Blake; Ben Ludlow & McPherson; Hebditch & Duncombe; Hessenberg & Goodlad; David Nylander & Crane; Bishop & Matt Nylander; with MacKenzie at the rear. Long time race starter "General" John Day turned on the fireworks aboard one of his well known orange pace utes before he sent them on their 25-lap journey. Brad Ludlow's mount reared up on two wheels through turn 2 as his suspension gave way and Halliday went into the lead. Hebditch and McPherson got together, with McPherson going sideways down the back straight and being hit by fellow eastern staters Hessenberg and MacKenzie. When the action resumed it was Halliday in command over Brad Ludlow and Trenaman. Blake wrested fourth spot off Ben Ludlow as he made his customary charge towards the front. Halliday had opened up a gap over Brad Ludlow and Trenaman with a further distance back to Blake. Trenaman went by Brad Ludlow for second spot, with Blake also moving past the Ford pilot on lap 6. Rookie David Nylander slowed and kept his mount up high on the track out of everyone's way. On lap 8 Blake dived under Trenaman for second and began to close on the leader. Further back Duncombe slowed and then Bert Vosbergen spun on Pits Bend. On lap 14 Blake made his move on Halliday down the back straight. The cars came together with Blake sliding sideways and stopping on Pits Bend and Halliday ending up on the infield. The bitterly disappointed defending titleholder exited his car, which had broken its driveshaft. Halliday led the field away for the final 11 laps of the event, but slowed several laps further on. Trenaman took over the lead, with Hebditch getting by Brad Ludlow for second place. Bishop slowed around Pits Bend and we had a three-lap sprint to the finish. It was Trenaman in front of Hebditch, Brad Ludlow, Ben Ludlow and Crane. Then the suspension went on the leader's car. Hebditch dived underneath Trenaman down the back straight for the final time. However Trenaman fought back and got his nose in front right on the line. It was classic speedway stuff as Trenaman crossed the line just in front of the gallant Hebditch, Brad Ludlow, Ben Ludlow, Crane, Craig Vosbergen and Matt Nylander.

The Manjimup based Trenaman was stoked with his victory, while Hebditch seemed just as pleased to have run second. And after his third third placing in the Late Model Nationals Brad Ludlow was left wondering just what he has to do to get a higher spot on the podium.

Brownes  "Licensed To Chill" Australian Late Model Championship : Quit Motorplex (WA) : Saturday 22nd January 2005.