The Grand Final of the Eureka Garages and Sheds Series last night (March 27) at Ballarat’s Redline Speedway was built as the John Vogels vs Mike Van Bremen Eureka battle and it delivered in a nervous ending with lightning and thunder a perfect backdrop for the thriller.

71-points separated series leader Vogels and second placed Van Bremen heading into the final round of the Eureka Series and when Van Bremen, sixth highest on points after heats, set the second quickest time in the top six shootout to start the A-Main from the front row, the series final result was still open.

Vogels qualified third highest on points, but set the sixth quickest time in the shootout which put him in a precarious position on the starting grid. The equation was simple enough, for Vogels to win the Eureka Garages and Sheds Series he had to finish within six positions of Van Bremen.

Not only was the battle between Vogels and Van Bremen enthralling, but the front row for the 30-lap final also appealed with fourth highest on points Jamie Veal setting quick time in the shootout to start from position one alongside Van Bremen. South Australian youngster Daniel Pestka set the third fastest time, while Victorian young gun Ashley Burke, highest on points started from fourth.

Brett Milburn and Vogels rounded out the top six and with heavy rain minutes away with lightning and thunder nearby it had the ingredient to be a memorable Grand Final event.

Van Bremen won the important start against Veal and set about opening a lead. Nine laps in the red light came on after rookie driver Brad Warren rolled over in turn two. A couple more mid race yellow lights allowed Van Bremen clear air to control the race and the only thing out of his control was Vogels.

Early in the race Vogels had some nervous times, but towards the end of the event he made some series winning moves to be fourth on the racetrack. Veal was unlucky, the Warrnambool talent was in striking distance of the race lead but as drizzle fell he had problems and pulled infield.

In the dieing laps, Pestka announced himself, rattling home on the highline in an impressive finish. Pestka closed in on race leader Van Bremen and was the quickest looking car late in the race to finish second. Burke’s form late in the season has been notable and finished third for his second podium result.

Celebrating in fourth place was Vogels, knowing he had done enough to secure his fourth Eureka Garages and Sheds Championship by 47-points and a $10,000 cheque.

“I knew I had to finish no more than six behind Mike (Van Bremen) and I was in about sixth place at one stage and I was thinking ‘this is not good’ and in the end I plucked a few off which is just great. The last few rounds we have just taken it safely and did what we had to do to win the series,” said Vogels.

Van Bremen did everything in his power to win the series, but he was over the moon to be a three time A-Main winner in a season he rates as his best.

“Good job to Johnny (Vogels) he had to run in the top six or seven and I’m sure he was making sure he did. We are happy to get our third A-Main win for the year, I reckon it’s the best season I’ve had and it shows how tough it is to win a series. I’ve had a really good season and it’s been a lot of fun racing against these guys,” said Van Bremen.

Finishing in fifth place was Ballarat driver Rod Matthews who secured fifth in the Eureka Series, while Brett Milburn finished sixth in the points and sixth in the final. Dennis Jones, Chris Solomon, Brett Smith and Nick Lacey rounded out the top 10 in the final, with Eddie Lumbar and Darren Russell the remaining finishers.

In the B-Main Chevvy Cooper left many fans with a long time memory as he tore down a part of the main straight catch fence in a scary rollover. Ryan Davis also rolled over in heat races, costing him a position in the KTM top 10.

Heat race wins went to Van Bremen, Milburn, Burke, Matthews, Jones and Vogels.

Eureka Garages and Sheds Series contingency awards:
ELF RACING FUELS top point scorer – V23 Ashley Burke
AMERICAN RACER TIRE random draw between position 6th and 16th – V39 Brett Smith
D&F RACING PRODUCTS hard luck of the night – V10 James McDonald
CASCADE SOLUTIONS FOR CLEANING 1st competitor not to transfer from B to A-Main – V31 Andrew Dyson
SMILEY’S RACING PRODUCTS 1st place in B-Main – V26 Nick Lacey
JOHN SIDNEY RACING most cars passed in A-Main (end of series) cars passed on night - V83 Chris Solomon (4 Cars) OVERALL – V70 John Vogels (25 cars)
HI ACE WINGS end of series B Main wins, winner on night – V26 Nick Lacey

Eureka Garages and Sheds Series – KTM Top 10:
1st. John Vogels - 3574
2nd. Mike Van Bremen - 3527
3rd. Jamie Veal - 3311
4th. Domain Ramsay - 3025
5th. Rod Matthews - 2962
6th. Brett Milburn - 2940
7th. Charles Hunter - 2698
8th. Eddie Lumbar - 2507
9th. Ashley Burke - 2433
10th. Nick Lacey - 2418

The Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria thank the following
Eureka Garages and Sheds Sprintcar Series sponsors:
EUREKA GARAGES & SHEDS, KTM AUSTRALIA, CAMDEN NEON SIGNS, AMERICAN TIRE & RACING SERVICES, HI ACE WINGS, JOHN SIDNEY RACING, CASCADE SOLUTIONS FOR CLEANING, D&F RACING PRODUCTS, SMILEY’S RACING PRODUCTS, ELF RACING FUELS, COREY GIBSON PHOTOGRAPHY, MAXAM PRINTING, SPRINTCARWORLD, QUEENSLAND SPEEDWAY SPARES.

Eureka Garages and Sheds – www.eurekagarages.com.au
KTM Australia - www.ktm.com.au
SprintcarWorld – www.sprintcarworld.com.au
John Sidney Racing – www.johnsidneyracing.com.au
Camden Neon Signs – www.camdenneon.com.au
Corey Gibson Photography - www.gibsonphotography.com.au
ELF Racing Fuels – www.racefuels.com.au
QSS – www.speedwayspares.com.au