Andy Hibbert is the 6th differnt driver to win a round of the C&H Trucking Series after 6 rounds this season - Photo By Corey Gibson
Hibbert Impressively Bags Pro Sprint Triple Crown Opener
Author : SRA Media
Andy Hibbert produced a career best performance to win the opening round of the A Plus Powdercoating Pro Sprint Triple Crown event at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway finishing ahead of series leader Jordy Rae by the slimmest of margins .030 seconds as the pair sped passed the finish line side by side. Following Hibbert and Rae across the line in third after earlier leading was Matthew Symons who impressed once again.
The Triple Crown event also doubled as round 6 of the C&H Trucking Pro Sprint Series with both Rae and Hibbert collecting valuable points with Hibbert in particular jumping from fourth to second overall after his narrow victory while Rae continues to lead the series.
Hibbert had to test himself numerous times in the exciting 25 lap A-main after qualifying atop the points and starting from pole position however slight damage to the front left wheel following his contact with an infield tire had to be managed as did a number of late race cautions as he was challenged for the lead twice.
Firstly it was Matthew Symons who raced by and into the lead in heavy traffic mid race before a stoppage thwarted that effort while twelfth starting Rae also sped into the lead only for a stoppage with three laps remaining negating that move also.
While Hibbert had his challengers throughout the event his speed and class proved too good despite the thrilling drag race to the checkered flag off turn four for the final time between Hibbert and Rae with the .030 second margin little more than half a wheel as they crossed the line.
Hibbert and Rae produced an incredible one two finish for the Domain Ramsay owned Pro Sprints in what was another memorable night for the C&H Trucking team based out of Geelong.
Third placed Symons was unlucky not to have won the race as he sped to the lead and looked to have all of the momentum however an untimely caution halted his charge and minor contact with the wall following the restart proved critical as he fell into the clutches of Rae who sped by.
Fourth across the line was Brett Milburn who subbed into the third of the C&H Trucking factory Pro Sprints while he would finish ahead of James Hennessy who impressively finished fifth, amazing considering his recent return following a seven year layoff.
Just outside of the top 5 was the ever consistent Sam Wren who manages to always be in amongst the leading contenders while Dennis Jones crossed the line next ahead of Shaun Lyness.
Rounding out the top 10 were Shane Steenholdt and earlier fast time winner in his group Brett Smith.
Jett Speed finished impressively just outside of the top 10 while Jordy Langdon, David Aldersley, Nigel Laity and Jack Van Bremen were the other cars to finish.
The only non finishers were Harry Ross, Angus Hollis and Daniel Storer while this trio were extremely exciting to watch throughout the night in another great display of new talent who are enjoying racing Pro Sprints.
Earlier heat race wins went the way of Andy Hibbert and Matthew Symons while the inverted heats saw James Hennessy and Brett Milburn capitalise and drive away with the wins.
Hennessy impressively won the B-main ahead of Jett Speed, Shane Steenholdt, David Aldersley, Jack Van Bremen and Jordy Langdon who all transferred to the A-main.
Earlier fast time winners were Harry Ross and Brett Smith in their respective heat groups.
C& H Trucking Pro Sprint Series awards: End of Series awards: EZ Print –Drivers Driver award as voted on by the drivers in the Series. (End of Series award)
SS Auto Wholesales: Most heat wins during the Series. ($500) (In the event of a tie the driver with the most Series points wins) Heat winners on the night: VA71 Andy Hibbert & VA70 Matthew Symons, VA9 James Hennessy, V2 Brett Milburn. Overall- V7 Paul Solomon (4 Wins)
Eliminator Race Wings – (Two awards) A new front win for each award. 1st award -The driver that transfers from the B Main to the A Main the most. (In the event of a tie the driver that finishers highest in the point wins) 2nd award - The most improved driver of the Series.
NIGHTLY AWARDS: SS Auto Wholesales: -The driver that finishes in sixth place in the A Main at each round of the Series ($100). V19 Sam Wren.
Eureka Garages & Sheds: The top points scorer at each round of the Series. ($100) VA71 Andy Hibbert.
The A Plus Powdercoating Triple Crown Series returns in three weeks at Avalon Raceway while the same weekend will see the series conclude at Simpson Speedway on the Sunday in a twilight event. Both rounds will also double as C&H Trucking Pro Sprint Series rounds as the Victorian Sprintcar season draws to a close.
Full series information and nominations can be viewed at www.sravic.com or at www.sprintcarworld.com.au
C&H Trucking Series Top ten 1st Jordan Rae 2134 2nd Andy Hibbert 1932 3rd Sam Wren 1871 4th Daniel Storer 1827 5th Matthew Symons 1759 6th Paul Solomon 1136 7th Charles Hunter 1110 8th David McKay 1048 9th Steven Horton 1018 10th Nigel Laity 987
11th to 20th in the Points Strandings 11th Dale Walsh 948 12th Harry Ross 798 13th Shane Steenholdt 797 14th Brett Milburn 733 15th Jordy Langdon 706 16th Ben Micallef 583 17th Jordan Abbott 542 18th Angus Hollis 495 19th James Hennessy 491 20th Brett Smith 478
A Plus Powder Coating Triple Crown Series Point after R1 1st Andy Hibbert 413 2nd Matthew Symons 327 3rd Brett Milburn 370 4th Jordan Rae 361 5th James Hennessy 346 6th Sam Wren 321 7th Dennis Jones 319 8th Shaun Lyness 291 9th Brett Smith 278 10th Nigel Laity 261 11th Daniel Storer 239 12th David Aldersley 232 13th Angus Hollis 229 14th Shane Steenholdt 226 15th Jordy Langdon 222 16th Harry Ross 215 17th Jett Speed 211 18th Jack Van Bremen 202 19th Steven Horton 175 20th Alex Thomson 171
The Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria thank the following C&H Trucking Series sponsors: C&H TRUCKING, SS AUTO WHOLSALES, EZ PRINTING, LUMBARS TRANSPORT, A PLUS POWDER COATING, EUREKA GARAGES & SHEDS, ELIMINATOR RACE WINGS.