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11 November 2007. By Ben Graham
Victorian campaigner Lloyd Hobson was victorious in the opening round of the V8 Dirt Modified Summer Slam Series at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway on Saturday night (Nov 10). Second home in the AAA Brisbane Tilt Tray-backed event was Queenslander Darren Latimer, with reigning Australian Champ Tim Morse rounding out the top three.
Hobson started the main event from the front row courtesy of his earlier win in the A-Dash, and made the most of it, winning the all-important battle with fellow front row starter Steven Milthorpe to the first corner.
Although punctuated by numerous stoppages in the opening half dozen laps, Hobson was able to retain his composure at the front of the pack and established a handy buffer at each restart.
Lapped traffic towards the end of the race provided the ensuing pack their best opportunity to reign in the runaway leader, but his lead was too great and Hobson went on to record a comfortable win.
Whilst Hobson appeared to have it easy out front, the race for the minor placing’s was furious.
Runner-up finisher Darren Latimer, whos first ever taste of Avalon was in Hotlaps, made his move on the opening lap, sneaking up the inside of Milthorpe and into second. Unable to put a move on Hobson, Latimer had his hands full holding off spirited challenges from Milthorpe, Scott Cannon and eventually Morse. It was am impressive drive from Latimer, who is sure to be a contender across the remaining five rounds.
It was almost a case of déjà vu for Morse, who started from deep in the pack after ignition woes prevented him taking his place in the B-dash. After almost single handedly creating a highline out of nothing, Morse began his march forward at half race distance, picking off cars one by one on his way to the podium. Although pressuring Latimer in the final laps, he was unable to find a way past and was forced to hold off a determined Scott Cannon in the closing stages to secure the remaining podium spot.
After holding down third for much of the race, Cannon finished fourth, while Mark Robinson advanced from tenth to annex fifth. Milthorpe, Darryl Hickson, Trevor Perry, Stuart Herne and Troy Scott rounded out the finishers.
Tony Sneddon, Cory Read, Aaron Trotter and Scott Whiting were non finishers.
Lloyd Hobson, Trevor Perry, Steven Milthorpe & Scott Cannon took out the earlier heat races, while Hobson also took out the A-Dash. The B-Dash was taken out by Tony Sneddon.
The next round of the Summer Slam Series will be at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway on December 8.
For further information on the Summer Slam Series, please visit the official Series website, www.summerslam.com.au
The remaining Summer Slam schedule is:
Round 2 Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway Dec 8,
Round 3 Sungold Stadium Warrnambool Jan 12,
Round 4 Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway Mar 1,
Round 5 Brisbane International Speedway Mar 22, (Easter Saturday)
Round 6 Lismore Speedway Mar 23. (Easter Sunday)
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