Trent Keeler won the Gunnedah speedway event named after his late grandfather for the second time in three years, as he took out this year’s Stan Keeler Classic at the Blue Vale Road venue on Saturday, January 4.

Jeremy Keynes meanwhile placed first in the Shorty Forty Fender Benders for the second time in three years, and Simon Hood placed second in both of this year’s main events.

The Narrabri-based Trent Keeler, Boggabri-based Keynes and Gunnedah-based Hood are all members of the Gunnedah Speedway Club, and have been regulars at this annual event.

There were 105 competitors among six divisions as drivers came from clubs at Gunnedah, Tamworth, Goulburn, Dubbo, Moree, Grafton and Newcastle.

Participants included numerous family connections, including brothers Trent and Todd Keeler and their father Kevin in the Stan Keeler Classic.

Dave Partridge and his son Justin competed in the Fast Fours, while Dave’s daughter Sophie was in the Junior New Stars. The passenger in Justin’s car was Laurel Hall, who was involved for the first time at the age of 80.

Event promoter Barry Towers said it was a great night of racing with more than 100 competitors and 700 spectators, while the highlight was the Stan Keeler Classic Street Stockers division which had 32 cars.

“(This division) ran 27 laps without a stoppage with the lead changing several times,” he said.

“Twenty junior drivers competed, starting from the age of 10 years old.”

RESULTS

Junior New Stars: 1st Clinton Hall, 2nd Jackson Haynes, 3rd Keira Bailey.

Junior All Stars: 1st Cooper Croker, 2nd Hunter Smith, 3rd Damien Acres.

Fast Fours: 1st Kyle Swadling, 2nd John Spicer, 3rd Ed Newton.

Shorty Forty Fender Benders: 1st Jeremy Keynes, 2nd Simon Hood, 3rd Simon Sepos.

Stan Keeler Classic Street Stockers: 1st Trent Keeler, 2nd Simon Hood, 3rd Josh Hollier, 4th Will Foot, 5th Todd Keeler, 6th Michael Bone.

Super Sedans: 1st Dion Bennett, 2nd Steve Jones (G Force Jones), 3rd George Regent.

Dave Partridge (5) and son Justin Partridge (4) in the Shorty Forty Fender Benders. Photos: Wendy Goninon.

The Super Sedans division was hotly contested at the recent Gunnedah speedway event.

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