Blake is the Master at Northam!
Current National late Model Sedan Champion Brad Blake once again stamped his authority on the QFS Pro Dirt Series on Saturday night December 2 nd , when he went on to win his second consecutive Firecracker 50 Lapper at Northam Motorsports Park.
14 cars ventured out to Northam Motorsports Park , just one hours drive from Perth in Western Australia . The impressively banked race track was playing host to round 3 of the QFS Australia Pro Dirt Series with the track being in great shape for the 800hp Late Model Sedans.
Heat 1 went to Mark Duncombe impressively over Ben Ludlow and Rob MacGregor.Heat 2 went to Craig Vosbergen who was challenged closely by Brad Blake 3rd went to Jason Oldfield who was impressive on his return from a months lay off.Heat 3 went to Ben Ludlow over Mark Duncombe and Clint NoakesHeat 4 went to Brad Blake over Craig Vosbergen and Jason OldfieldBrad Blake won the all important pole dash which put him on pole position for the 50 lap marathon.
13 cars started the Feature as Matthew Nylander was the only non starter,
Blake pounced to the lead at the start to let Duncombe and Oldfield to battle for 2nd, Ludlow and Vosbergen battled for 4 th , Oldfield passed Duncombe for 2nd and made chase for Blake, Ludlow passed Vosbergen and was all over Duncombe, just inches apart.Warren Oldfield rode the Main straight wall and brought out the 1st caution.
Many laps went by, the racing was very, very close for the minors, Blake and Jason Oldfield pulled away from the field, Ludlow was now millimeters off of Duncombe who was struggling with tyres, Vosbergen, Hamon and Bell were now right on Ludlow who was trying in vein to pass Duncombe and not touch him at the same time. Duncombe eventually propped, Ludlow braked and Hamon Spun. Blake and Oldfield were still racing lapped cars and Oldfield didn't see Hamon on the track and slammed into him backwards heavily damaging the #11 and #57 cars. The #28 car of Rob MacGregor ran out of tear offs and pulled out soon after, the track was smooth and black on the bottom as the high line on the steeply banked track became powdery for the big cars to use. The race restarted, Blake, Oldfield with the back of the car smashed in, Duncombe, Ludlow, Vosbergen, made up the top 5 with Bell and Noakes right on their tail.
Blake pulled away, Oldfield started to struggle with the Damage, Duncombe tried to pass Oldfield into turn one and got the #7 car sideway's, Ludlow Braked hard to miss him and Vosbergen slammed into the rear of Ludlows #9 car turning them both around. Duncombe was sent to the rear as the stewards deemed him the cause of the restart. On the restart Oldfield struggled as his RR tyre went flat, Ludlow was through and was off after Blake, Kevin Bell had done the drive of the race and was up challenging Vosbergen for 3rd, they went into turn one 2 wide and Vosbergen spun his #8 Rocket, coming to a stop. The #8 car of Vosbergen went to the rear, Blake once again cruised away, Ludlow 's tyres were going and Bell was coming on strong along with Clint Noakes who was also putting in a great drive, Duncombe spun on his own after moving back through the field several positions.
This would be the last caution as Blake was the master on this night driving away from the field, Ludlow was really struggling with tyres and Bell was pressuring for 2nd, Noakes was right in there too, Hamon had moved back up through the field, But it was all Brad Blake who was the class of the night with Ludlow and Bell having a photo finish for 2nd, over Noakes, Hamon, Goodlad, Vosbergen, Duncombe, Mathews, and Farrell. Ludlow was given 2nd place over Bell who got a well deserved 3 rd place. Brad Blake was very happy with the win stating “It's great to be Back!” as he now extends his lead in the QFS Australia Pro Dirt Series just 3 rounds into the Series. The Northam Motorsports Park Venue is now in great shape to host this type of big event with a full support program with promoter Rod Howe and is team putting in a big effort over the past winter to ensure future successful events.
