Five Straight For Fantastic Farrell
Author : Ken Brown

Ryan Farrell stormed to a historic fifth successive Western Australian Sprintcar Championship success at the Bunbury City Speedway on Boxing Day.

The victory was his sixth overall in the state title that was first held in the 1962-63 season – a feat that equals the tally of the legendary “Mr Sprintcar” Alf Barbagallo.

Thirty cars contested the time trial with Luch Monte setting fast time of 13.95 seconds around the 510 metre clayway.

Next best were Ben Ellement (14.06), Ken Sartori (14.30), Mark Wells (14.32) and Farrell (14.35).

There was plenty of excitement during the 10-lap heat races.

The first one went to Jodi Waldron over Greg Hall and Jamie Maiolo, after the third placed David Ellement (who had charged from position 10) slid sideways entering the main straight and veered onto the concrete burnout pad – eventually crossing the line seventh.

Brother Ben Ellement had the second heat safely in his keeping when he performed the same manouevre just short of the line.

Farrell (out of 7) accepted the win ahead of Robert Watson Jr and the unlucky Ellement.

David Hall’s motor expired in a cloud of smoke when he was just short of victory in heat 3.

This gave the win to Steven Ford from Shaun Bradford and Ken Sartori.

Greg Hall set the pace throughout heat 4 only to go down to a rampant Mark Wells right on the line in heat 4.

Esperance based Ford finished third.

Scott Reilly was never headed in heat 5, with Watson Jr and Carl Dowling following him home.

Waldron headed the heat 6 field, only to dig in and flip around Pits Bend.

Farrell took the win ahead of Jason Kendrick and Maiolo.

Dash A saw Farrell in control over Ben Ellement and Monte.

Wells took Dash B from Sartori and Bradford – with Priolo spinning on the final turn while holding down third place.

The B Main resulted in an easy victory for Reilly ahead of Wayne Russell and David Hall.

Opening lap of the 30-lap A Main saw Darren Mewett roll around Pits Bend with Priolo and Watson Jr also involved.

Reserve Mat Muir came in as Farrell headed Wells and Ben Ellement for a lap when Reilly spun on turn 2.

Take 3 saw four more circuits completed before Adyme Harvey flipped into the fence along the back straight, and was hit by Wells.

Unfortunately Wells #21 machine was unable to continue.

Farrell headed Ben Ellement, Sartori, Monte and Maiolo.

At half distance Sartori got around Ellement for second, but the current AHG Sprintcar Series Champion was able to regain the runner-up berth.

A couple of laps later Ellement went by Farrell in traffic for the lead.

Then Farrell regained the front spot – with 10 laps still to run.

Sartori dueled with Ellement, then the latter slid sideways alongside the main straight – ending up on the burnout pad.

Eight to go as Farrell headed Sartori, Monte and Maiolo.

Then teenager Kris Coyle hit the back straight fence and headed for the grass.

It was Farrell, Sartori and Monte, with Maiolo getting sideways and rounded by Bradford.

Maiolo regained his spot and the eventful race concluded with Farrell a well deserved victor over Sartori, Monte, Maiolo, Bradford, Reilly, Kendrick, Dowling, Ben Ellement, Ford, Jamie Moon and Muir.

What a race – what a night of action – and what a champion!!

The one-time driver dubbed the “bad boy” has now proved he is one of the greatest speedway competitors ever produced in the west.

WELL DONE RYAN FARRELL!!!

Ends Release

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