Speedway drivers flourish at Tamworth

Gunnedah Speedway Club had multiple podium placings at Oakburn Park last Saturday night in the Charlie McGarva Classic and in round five of the Tamworth Speedway Championships.

Twenty-one drivers represented Gunnedah across five divisions while other competitors came from Tamworth, Narrabri, Grafton, Newcastle and Portland, as there were about 80 competitors overall.

Gunnedah occupied the top three placings in the Fast Fours, with Dave Partridge followed by Tom Hombsch and Grant Jackson.

The top two placegetters in the Junior New Stars were also Gunnedah drivers, with Clinton Hall first and Sophie Partridge second.

In the main event (Street Stockers – Charlie McGarva Classic), the winners and third placegetter were from Newcastle while the runner-up was Gunnedah’s Matt Cobb.

Gunnedah’s next best was Patrick Molan in fourth place.

Twenty drivers competed in the main event which comprised 50 laps, with a short interval for fuel and tyres after the first 25 laps.

In a very hotly contested race with a few minor stoppages, Cobb and fellow Gunnedah driver Wyatt Lawler chased each other around the track until the latter withdrew due to mechanical issues with his car.

In the club championships, Gunnedah filled all podium placings in the Fast Fours and Junior New Stars.

Dave Partridge, Hombsch and Lawler were the top three in the Fast Fours while Hall topped the Junior New Stars division, followed by Sophie Partridge and Charlette Keeler.

Cobb won the Street Stockers division, and Gunnedah’s Bailey Jackson placed third in the Junior All Stars.

A spokesperson from Gunnedah Speedway Club said the track held up well after it had been underwater recently due to weather events.

“Halfway through the night it got a tad rough in a couple of places, but the drivers handled it well,” the spokesperson said.

Tom Hombsch, Dave Partridge and Wyatt Lawler.

Sophie Partridge, Clinton Hall and Charlette Keeler.