Sprintcars returned to Archerfield Speedway last night for round four of the East Coast Logistics Sprintcar Series and what a night of racing it was. Cody Maroske led early and hung on to control until just past the half-way point of the race, but the battle for the lead was a fierce one and one that was perhaps one of the very best that will be talked about for a long time to come. Luke Oldfield, Callum Walker and Lachlan McHugh challenged each other and Maroske for the lead, putting on a truly mesmerising show for race fans with McHugh eventually getting the advantage in lapped traffic and opening a small lead before taking the win. There were three-wide battles as Oldfield tried to make the top work while the others favoured the bottom, there were countless position changes as each driver refused to surrender their position, but in the end it was Luke Oldfield who crossed the line in second, for the seventh time in only nine starts, while Callum Walker is fast establishing himself as a frontrunner and crossed the line in third, for his third consecutive Archerfield podium result. Cody Maroske finished fourth with Jock Goodyer rounding out the top five.

Qualifying got underway with the field split into three heat groups, which they would stay in until the feature events. Lachlan McHugh was the fastest in group one, and coincidentally fastest overall, stopping the clock at 11.728 seconds. He was the only driver able to get into the eleven-second bracket. Aaron Kelly (12.042) and Dylan Menz (12.098) were second and third quickest in group one, while Cody Maroske topped the leader board in group two with a 12.282 second lap ahead of Luke Oldfield (12.310) and Brent Kratzmann (12.353). Group three saw Mitchell Gee the fastest of the group, recording a 12.017 second lap, beating Callum Walker (12.072) and Kevin Titman (12.119).

Heat one started with Andrew Corbet and Darren Jensen from the front row with Jensen getting the better start and quickly securing the lead while Corbet sat in second. Brent Kratzmann raced around Adam Butler before looking underneath Corbet in an effort to steal second, with Corbet tipping the Q78 racer over in turn two and bringing the race to a stop. Corbet was unscathed but unable to continue the event. A full restart followed with Butler now joining Jensen on the front row, and while Butler tried to beat Jensen to the first corner, Jensen was too quick on the top side and soon secured control of the race. Butler settled into second and he and Jensen began opening a small margin on the rest of the field, while Luke Oldfield challenged Kratzmann for third as Mark Pholi searched for a way underneath Oldfield. Pholi soon surrendered a position to a hard-charging Cody Maroske who was exceptional on the top side, while Oldfield raced underneath Kratzmann and set out after Butler and Jensen. Maroske got underneath Kratzmann, leaving Kratzmann and Pholi to negotiate over mid-field positions, with Maroske soon catching Oldfield and trading slide jobs back and forth for several laps, thrilling the crowd and really putting on a show. Oldfield started putting pressure on Butler in the final few laps of the race, but it was Darren Jensen who got the win ahead of Adam Butler and Luke Oldfield. Cody Maroske finished fourth and led Mark Pholi, Brent Kratzmann and Mitch Gowland across the line. Libby Ellis and Andrew Corbet did not finish the event.

Brad Ayers and Randy Morgan led the field to green light conditions in heat two, the pair racing wheel-to-wheel as they took the green and raced into turn one. Morgan on the high side emerged in front and led the field to turn two, with Ayers comfortable in second ahead of Dylan Menz and Allan Woods. Aaron Kelly immediately came under pressure from Lachlan McHugh, with McHugh racing around the top side only for Kelly to fight to maintain the advantage. Nicholas Whell slipped through underneath both McHugh and Kelly, but surrendered positions to both half a lap later. Woods was all over the back of Menz searching for a way through, with McHugh closing in fast, the trio closing in on Brad Ayers as the laps wore on. Menz had a bold but unsuccessful look underneath Ayers as they rounded turn three, leaving the door open on the bottom in turn four and giving McHugh the only invitation he needed. McHugh raced underneath Woods and had a massive look on the inside of Menz as they rounded turn four, eventually finding a way through a few laps later, while Aaron Kelly displaced Allan Woods before following McHugh past Menz. Randy Morgan was untroubled out in front and took the win ahead of Lachlan McHugh and Brad Ayers, with Aaron Kelly home in fourth ahead of Allan Woods, Dylan Menz, Nicholas Whell, Brendon Claridge and Jason King.

Heat three started with Tim Farrell from pole position and Dan Murray sharing the front row, with a big field of hard-chargers behind them. Farrell got the jump when the green flag flew and quickly settled into the race lead in advance of Murray and while Murray tried to challenge on the high side Farrell secured the lead and started to open a small margin on the rest of the field. Murray came under pressure from Jock Goodyer, the pair having a close battle as they fought over second place while behind them Kevin Titman, Callum Walker, Mitchell Gee and Kristy Bonsey negotiated over the minor places. Titman made his way underneath Goodyer as they rounded turn four, only for Goodyer to fire straight back past to regain his position, leaving Titman with Walker on his tail. Gee challenged Walker but lost ground in turn two, falling into the clutches of Bonsey. Titman got back past Goodyer and began challenging Murray for second, while Gee closed in on the back of Walker once more and started searching for a way through. Contact between Walker and Gee saw Gee invert the Q65 racer in turn four with two laps still to run. Gee walked away form the crash but was unable to continue the event. Farrell led the restart from Murray, Titman and Goodyer with two laps left to run and while Titman tried to find a way past Murray, Goodyer took to the high line and raced around Titman as the white flag flew. Tim Farrell got the win ahead of Dan Murray and Jock Goodyer with Kevin Titman, Callum Walker, Sam Blysma, Kristy Bonsey and Andrew Baumber rounding out the finishers. Mitchell Gee did not finish the event,

Heat four started with hard chargers Cody Maroske and Luke Oldfield from the front row, with Brent Kratzmann and Adam Butler close behind. Maroske was too quick for Oldfield when the lights went green, quickly racing into the lead and leaving Oldfield to defend second from a determined Kratzmann. Kratzmann had a bold but unsuccessful look on the inside of Oldfield as they raced down the back straight, before surrendering third to Butler as they made their way through turn four. Kratzmann started searching for a way back past Butler but spun the Q2 racer to a stop and brought the race under caution. Maroske led the restart with Oldfield and Butler on his tail and nine laps still to run, with both Maroske and Oldfield racing away from the field when the race returned to green light conditions. From the rear of the field Kratzmann started making up lost ground and Mark Pholi challenged Andrew Corbet as the pair closed in on Adam Butler. Darren Jensen and Mitch Gowland had a great battle towards the rear of the field, but there was no stopping Cody Maroske out in front as he raced to victory ahead of Luke Oldfield and Adam Butler. Andrew Corbet was fourth across the line and led Mark Pholi, Brent Kratzmann, Darren Jensen, Mitch Gowland and Libby Ellis home.

Young guns Lachlan McHugh and Aaron Kelly shared the front row for the start of heat five, with McHugh getting the jump and Kelly settling into second, but the race was promptly brought to a halt when Brad Ayers and Randy Morgan came together in turn one, with Morgan tipping the NQ54 racer over. Morgan walked away unscathed however both he and Ayers were unable to continue the race. A full restart followed with McHugh again leading the way in advance of Kelly with Dylan Menz settling into third but immediately coming under enormous pressure from Allan Woods. Woods raced around Menz a couple of laps into the race, with Nicholas Whell having a brilliant run and getting underneath Menz a lap later before the race was brought under caution for the spun car of Brendon Claridge in turn one. McHugh led the restart from Kelly and Woods with eight laps still on the board. Whell challenged Woods for mid-field positions, before Woods managed to pull slightly ahead and execute his own challenge for position as he searched for a way past Aaron Kelly. Lachlan McHugh went on to take the win an impressive 5.161 seconds ahead of Aaron Kelly in second. Allan Woods finished third and led Nicholas Whell, Dylan Menz, Brendon Claridge and Jason King across the line. Randy Morgan and Brad Ayers both failed to finish the event.

The final heat of the evening saw Mitchell Gee and Callum Walker share the front row for the start, with Dan Murray promoted to third when Kevin Titman suffered mechanical dramas on board the Q59 racer and did not start the event. Gee secured lead when the green flag flew with Walker in second ahead of Jock Goodyer. Dan Murray challenged Goodyer for third before surrendering his position to Tim Farrell, while at the front of the field Walker was in truly sensational form, flying around the high line in spectacular fashion as he challenged Gee for the race lead. Walker got his nose in front before Gee fought back but Walker was not done and again surged on the high line. The pair raced two-abreast for several laps trading slide jobs and the race lead back and forth several times as they thrilled the crowd with some absolutely exceptional racing. A caution followed soon after for the spun car of Sam Blysma in turn one, with Walker leading the restart ahead of Gee and Goodyer. Walker was able to open a small lead on the restart, leaving Gee within striking distance of Goodyer and while Goodyer had a couple of unsuccessful looks for a way past Gee, the race was again paused when Goodyer spun in turn four. Walker, Gee and Farrell led the restart while Goodyer started making his way forward from the rear of the field. Callum Walker got the win ahead of Mitchell Gee, Tim Farrell, Dan Murray, Jock Goodyer, Kristy Bonsey, Andrew Baumber and Sam Blysma. Kevin Titman did not start the race.

Lachlan McHugh was highest on points heading in to the dash event but drew position six for the start of the Dash, leaving Cody Maroske and Aaron Kelly from the front row. Maroske got the jump and secured the lead early, with Kelly second ahead of Adam Butler and Callum Walker. Luke Oldfield was on a mission though and quickly raced underneath Lachlan McHugh, Callum Walker and Adam Butler to move into third by the end of the first corner and set out after Aaron Kelly. Oldfield got underneath Kelly as they rounded turn three and turned his attention to Maroske and the race lead, leaving Kelly and the others to fight over the minor positions. Kelly surrendered third to a hard-charging McHugh a few laps later, with McHugh working the top side beautifully as he got around Kelly and closed in on Oldfield. The battle for second raged fiercely for the rest of the race but it was Cody Maroske who got the win with Luke Oldfield home in second ahead of Lachlan McHugh and Aaron Kelly. Callum Walker finished fifth and led Tim Farrell and Dan Murray across the line, while Adam Butler pulled out of the event after completing just three laps.

Twelve cars lined up for the B-Main event and one last chance to qualify for the main race. Mark Pholi and Randy Morgan led them to the green flag, with Pholi getting the jump but dropping back several positions when he pulled off a massive wheel stand heading towards turn one. Morgan took control of the race with Nicholas Whell in second and Kevin Titman in third. Titman started challenging Whell for position, while towards the rear of the field several cars came together in turn four, leaving Mitch Gowland stranded and out of the race and Jason King with damage to his front end. Gowland was unable to restart the event. Morgan led the restart from Whell and Titman, with Pholi in fourth but under increasing pressure from Kristy Bonsey and Andrew Corbet. Bonsey soon got underneath Pholi and into fourth and while Pholi tried to fight back the race was again paused, this time for the spun car of Brendon Claridge in turn one. With twelve laps still to run it was Morgan who again led the restart from Whell, Titman and Bonsey. Pholi was all over the back of Bonsey, searching for way back inside the top four, while Bonsey was relentless as she kept the pressure on Titman. Andrew Corbet came on strongly, racing underneath Pholi as Titman pulled out of the event with mechanical issues on the Q59 racer. Pholi, with Andrew Baumber now closing in, began challenging Corbet for fourth, desperate to make it back to one of the top four transfer positions to earn his spot in the main race. Another couple of cautions followed for spun cars that briefly paused proceedings, but in the end Randy Morgan got the win ahead of Nicholas Whell and Kristy Bonsey, while Mark Pholi took to the low line as he and Andrew Corbet rounded the final corner of the race, racing underneath Corbet and racing side-by-side across the line. Mark Pholi secured fourth by just 0.075 seconds to earn the final transfer to the main race. Andrew Corbet finished fifth ahead of Andrew Baumber and Brendon Claridge, with Libby Ellis rounding out the B-Main finishers. Jason King, Kevin Titman, Sam Blysma and Mitch Gowland all failed to finish the fifteen-lap journey.

Nineteen cars hit the track for the A-Main event, with Cody Maroske and Luke Oldfield to lead them to the green flag, and Kevin Titman, using his series provisional, from the very back of the field. Maroske got the jump when the lights went green and quickly settled into the race lead in advance of Oldfield, Lachlan McHugh, Aaron Kelly and Callum Walker. Deep in the field dramas unfolded that ended with Brent Kratzmann tagging the wall in turn two and inverting the immaculately presented Q2 racer, with both Dylan Menz and Nicholas Whell also involved. Kratzmann walked away from the wreck but was unable to continue the race while Menz also took no further part in the feature event.

A full restart followed with Cody Maroske again securing the lead ahead of Luke Oldfield and Lachlan McHugh. Callum Walker quickly got the better of Aaron Kelly and moved into fourth but Walker, who has been in absolutely remarkable form lately, was not done yet and quietly slipped underneath McHugh as they rounded turn two, moving his #33 racer into third with his sights already set on Oldfield and Maroske. McHugh tried to challenge Walker for position but Walker refused to surrender, completely focussed on the battle between Maroske and Oldfield just a car length or two ahead. Oldfield was relentless and spectacular as he searched tirelessly for a way around Maroske. Oldfield ran the top side, and had several massive looks on the top side of Maroske, but left the bottom open, inviting Walker to join the fight. Walker raced up the inside, having a massive look underneath both Oldfield and Maroske in an effort to steal the lead, the trio racing three-wide and absolutely captivating the crowd. It was fast. It was mesmerising. It was good, clean racing. Maroske got his nose in front, before Oldfield surged around the top, momentarily getting the front end of the Q17 racer into the lead, before Maroske fought back mid track and again emerged in front, leaving Walker and Oldfield to negotiate over second. Walker raced beautifully up the inside of Oldfield as they rounded turn two and started looking underneath Maroske, while Oldfield found Lachlan McHugh on his tail and ready to join the battle for control of the race. McHugh raced underneath Oldfield as they rounded turn one before using the bottom to steal second from Walker less than half a lap later. McHugh then turned his attention to Maroske and race lead, but both Walker and Oldfield stepped up and challenged for second, Walker on the bottom, Oldfield on the top, and, with McHugh sandwiched in the middle the trio raced three-wide for second. Walker managed to lead them into turn one, only for Oldfield to power around the top side and move into second by the time the raced through turn two, with Walker getting the best of McHugh and starting to again challenge Oldfield just half a lap later. A caution for the spun car of Darren Jensen soon followed and gave everyone a chance to take a breath.

Cody Maroske led the restart from Luke Oldfield, Callum Walker, Lachlan McHugh and Aaron Kelly, with Oldfield again taking to the high line and beginning to challenge Maroske for the race lead. Deeper in the field Jock Goodyer, Allan Woods and Tim Farrell battled for mid-field positions, with Goodyer getting underneath Woods and Farrell in quick succession, but it was the action unfolding at the front of the field that had everyone captivated. Oldfield continued to tirelessly work the high line, as Walker edged closer on the bottom, with Walker soon making his way ahead of Oldfield and mounted his own challenge to Maroske. Oldfield persisted on the top side, with Lachlan McHugh soon joining the battle for the lead. McHugh had several big looks on the inside of Oldfield, as Oldfield continued to work the top and challenge on the high side of Walker, the leading quartet racing ever closer to the back markers with lapped traffic staring to come into play. Oldfield raced around the top of Walker, with McHugh taking the opportunity to race underneath Walker moments later, with McHugh getting past on the inside of Oldfield as the first of the back-markers momentarily slowed Oldfield. McHugh raced underneath Maroske half a lap later and once clear of immediate competition McHugh started to open a small but very comfortable lead as he navigated his way past the lapped cars. Oldfield raced around Walker and Maroske, again three-wide much to the delight of the crowd, with Oldfield eventually emerging in front and settling into second. Meanwhile, deep in the field Kevin Titman was making impressive progress forward and was now challenging both Mitchell Gee and Tim Farrell for track position. Oldfield and Maroske continue to fight over second, until Oldfield emerged in front and was able to put a lapped car between himself and Maroske, leaving Maroske to try to defend his position from a very determined Walker. Walker was exceptional and his perseverance eventually paid off, the Q33 racer getting around Maroske and settling into third before opening a small margin on his rival. Lachlan McHugh got the win, his seventh of the season so far, with Luke Oldfield home in second, also for the seventh time this season. Callum Walker crossed the line in third to round out the podium and is definitely one to watch this summer. Cody Maroske finished fourth with Jock Goodyer rounding out the top five. Aaron Kelly finished sixth and with Kevin Titman having an impressive drive to finish seventh after starting from position nineteen. Tim Farrell, Mitchell Gee and Allan Woods completed the top ten, with Dan Murray, Mark Pholi, Adam Butler, Randy Morgan, Kristy Bonsey, Darren Jensen and Nicholas Whell rounding out the finishers. Dylan Menz and Brent Kratzmann did not finish the event.

And that race fans was our last race before Christmas, and it has set us up beautifully for a very busy post-Christmas race schedule. If last night is anything to go by the racing this summer is going to be the kind you absolutely do not want to miss so come and join us trackside to cheer on your favourite and see all the action as it unfolds. Our next race is Boxing Night, Saturday 26 December 2020 at Archerfield Speedway. Have a very Happy and Safe Christmas everyone and see you trackside at Archerfield Speedway on Boxing Night.