Current and two-time Tasmanian Champion Daniel Brooks last Saturday night won the NSW AMCA Nationals Title at Narrabri's Newton Park Speedway.

Like the majority of the field, racing for the first time at Newton Park Speedway, a particularly difficult track, and off the back of a disappointing Australian Title result, Brooks, from Hobart in Tasmania, qualified on pole position for the 30-lap NSW Title-deciding feature race, alongside veteran Shane Newstead (NSW). Brooks managed to get the jump off the start, retaining his lead for the remainder of the race throughout multiple stoppages and restarts.

“To be able to win the NSW Title is a major thrill and something that makes all of the hard work to get over to the mainland worth it,” commented Brooks, after he steered his Tas # 22 The Carpet Company-backed car to the winning honours.

“It was a major team effort to be able to get over to the mainland and to be able to take home the NSW Title makes all of that effort worthwhile.

“When you’re winning in your home state, it’s hard to gauge yourself against the rest of the country, but my NSW Title win up against such a tough field makes winning even more satisfying and validates my ability to mix it with the best AMCA National drivers in the country.”

It was an impressive podium, with Brooks seizing the victory ahead of current Northern Territory Champion Jamie Collins (Vic), who had qualified fourth for the feature race, and the recently-crowned Australian Champion Matt Hardy (Qld), who put in a solid drive to finish third after qualifying ninth.

3 NSW Title

Tony Blanch (NSW) was also in good form, finishing fourth in the feature race after he had started from position 10, ahead of front-row qualifier Newstead, who slipped back to finish in fifth. The top-10 finishers were completed by former Australian Champion Jim Knight (NSW), Russ Hardy (Qld), Terry Pankhurst (NSW), current Australia # 3 Geoff Hayes (NSW) and Rodney Bassett (Tas). B-main winner Steve Potts (Qld) finished just outside the top-10 finishers in 11th.

Defending NSW Champion and Australia # 2 Tim Reidy (Vic) had a promising start to the night, after a win in his opening heat race and then followed it up with a second-place finish in the second heat race. Heading into the third round of heat races as the highest point scorer, he struck bad luck when he rolled his car following contact with another driver as he made his way through the field down the back straight, amazingly coming away unharmed and with minimal damage to his car. While Reidy managed to start the feature race from position nine with a repaired car, he was unable to complete the distance after being a late retirement due to a struggling car.

This Saturday night at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway, the Queensland Title will be fought out. Defending Queensland Champion Reidy is looking for a successful defence and nothing else. The event will complete the trifecta of major events for the class over the past three weekends.