by Dean Thompson
Nyora Raceway's annual end of season fourth Saturday in June speedway closer is this Saturday starting from 2:30pm with two Victorian state titles, the annual open sedan Bob Hickson memorial, "crash and bash" and standard saloon racing closing out the season.
The events are sure to dish up plenty of action all night long and families will enjoy the end of season fireworks display
Junior standard saloons and the mini sprints will run their state titles with a feature as part of the Gippsland women's standard saloon series is on the schedule.
Crash and bash open competitors and women's competitors will be battling for all-important association points to close their season.
Nyora junior standard saloon competitors, led by host club favourite Harry Cecil, include Nathan Miles, Bailey Hill, Jackie-Anne Angus, Logan Mair, Chase Ingram, Liam Ingram, and Sebastian Hardie.
Miles was a winner recently at Drouin Speedway and is a serious challenger this weekend.
The Nyora member drivers will have tough competition from Beau Stuchbery, Tom Braz, Bryce Leek, Jack Braz, Zac Barwise, Linken Paterson, and Hunter Carey amongst others in the field.
The Victorian mini sprints may also be having the last Victorian mini sprint title as we know it with alignment to national lightning sprints on the cards.
This weekend's Victorian title has attracted some strong interstate competition such as Kurt Wilson - the Queensland state champion in lightning sprints - plus Seiton Connor-Young, a dirt modified and lightning sprint competitor from New South Wales.
Luke and Harley Graham once again make the trek from Lismore to compete also.
Ally Moore leads the Victorian drivers who aim to keep the 'blue sash' in Victoria with David Alie, Jason Burleigh, Jason Lynn, Sam Bushe, Maureen Sell, Jason Alie and Liz Peach the other local contingent in action.
The Bob Hickson memorial is to honour the memory of the late long time club legend and has attracted a superb field of open sedans that include six and eight-cylinder cars of shell construction or chassis.
It includes the recent 100-lap derby winner Damien Miller, who comes from Pakenham and recently won the legendary Alexandra event.
Competitors in shell construct cars that will also feature prominently include Brendan Miller, Daniel Knight, Anthony Knight, Seth Bent, Andrew Dike, Matt Nelson, Scott Angus, Brad Warren, Rhys Meakins, and David Donegan - the Nagambie 69-lapper winner this season.
Drivers competing with chassis cars and usually high powered big, bodied machines include Sean Lister, Corey Ramsdale, Peter Farley, Warrick Taylor, Anthony McKean, and Travis Ramsdale.
Taylor set a new six-lap record for chassis cars at Alexandra two weeks ago, whilst Travis Ramsdale has won many races this season through the state and Lister was a last start winner at Nyora.
Women's crash and bash action include the Victorian champion Leanne Young and Kath George the Victoria two driver, with the likes of Kellie Latha, Lea Judd, Danni Marshall, and Nikki Sonnet in the field with some thrills and spills likely as restricted contact is legal in the class.
Competitors in the open category for crash and bash include state champion Jason Judd and the number three driver Nathan Taylor.
The action through the night will progressively get tougher as anything goes once the final starts.
Jake Young, the Leeson family, Anthony Sharam, defending Mick Corbett memorial champion Mark Taylor, Brad Warren, the George family, Mark Hebblethwaite, Kev Hughes, and Dinky Parker all go at each other to claim a victory in what should be a huge crowd.
In what is essentially a club show for the open standard saloon competitors, the line-up includes many of the state's best trying to get one last run of the season out of their soon to expire registrations.
Victorian champion Rhys Lansdown leads the field that includes multiple time state champion Scott Whittle, ex-state champion Warrick Howie, Mitch Blencowe, Mark Miles - the recent winner at Drouin - Chris Miles, Andrew Miles, Kacey Ingram, ex-state champion Jake Vuillermin and Brodie Ardley.
State champion Jaimi Barber comes into town from Benalla to compete with the women's standard saloon racers in the final round of the Gippsland series, which is also the annual women's standard saloon feature at Nyora.
Ally Morrison leads the series after recent great results including a win at Drouin, with the likes of Michelle George, Bronwyn Miles, Bree Walker, Katie Meyer, and Caroline Allen set to make race night a tough victory for whoever gets to the finish line first.
Gates to the public open early for those that want to get the best seats, Nyora Football Club has a game on for those looking for early entertainment.
Racing begins at 2:30pm at Grundy Avenue Nyora at the recreational reserve.
Admission is $30 an adult ticket, cheaper price if bought online following procedures on the club's website or social media page,
$10 for aged and disabled pensioners, teenagers 12 to 16 cost $15 (also cheaper if brought prior to the event online) and kids six to 11 are $5. Two adults and two teenagers can combine for a family ticket costing just $60.
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