Mitch And Jayke Brien Dominate Vic And Nsw Junior Quarter Midget Titles
22/04/2009 9:40:46 AM - Daniel Powell
Over the past two weekends both the 2008/09 season Victorian and New South Wales (NSW) Junior Quarter Midget Titles have been held at the Avalon Raceway and Gunnedah Speedway tracks respectively and it has resulted in both Mitch and Jayke Brien dominating the 160cc and 120cc classes.
At Avalon Raceway on Good Friday (April 10) the Victorian Title was run and won with Jayke Brien winning the 120cc class and his older sibling, Mitch, taking out the top honours in the 160cc class.
In the 120cc class it was local Jordyn Charge that paced the field by qualifying for the feature race on pole position and leading the opening stages before Brien was able to take control of the lead on a restart and Charge soon dropped back to third when current Australian Champion Danny Carroll moved through to second place. Once out in front, Brien went onto score a strong victory by defeating Carroll and Charge.
Current Australian Champion Mitch Brien continued his good form by adding the Victorian Title trophy to his cabinet in the 160cc class by pacing the field for the entire distance in the feature race. The lone NSW entrant in the 160cc class, Brien was able to survive numerous restarts during the feature race and kept his cool to take victory ahead of Tyler and Bryce Carter. After challenging Brien for the lead early on in the feature race, Billy Carroll was unfortunately a late retirement due to his rear brakes locking up and it denied him a podium finish.
The following Saturday (April 18) at Gunnedah Speedway (North Western NSW) for the NSW Title the Brien brothers continued on from their Victorian Title success by taking out wins in the 120cc and 160cc classes.
In a strong 120cc class field, Jayke Brien was able to lead the feature race field from start to finish after qualifying from pole position by virtue of being the highest point scorer at the completion of the heat races. It was Brien’s return to Gunnedah Speedway for the first time since his Australian Title disappointment and his success certainly eased his bad memories of his previous visit. In the NSW Title deciding feature race Brien defeated Clayton Small and Mitchell Smith in second and third place respectively.
A small field contested the NSW Title for the 160cc class and it was Mitch Brien that dominated proceedings by winning all of his heat races and leading the feature race for the entire distance. Finishing behind the winner Brien in the feature race was Ben Wright and female driver Rylee Walsh in second and third place on the podium.
From a NSW club perspective, their NSW Club Championship point scores, resulted in the Brien brothers taking out first place in their 120cc and 160cc class season point scores for the 2008/09 season in what has been a fabulous season for the both of them.
Other positives to come out of the 2008/09 season within NSW, was the consistency of Clayton Small in the 120cc class in what was a highlight of his season. It shouldn’t be too long before he breaks through for his first major win after placing on the podium on a number of occasions which included back-to-back third place finishes in the Australian Title for the 120cc class this season.
120cc class competitor Ellie Small enjoyed a very consistent season and she managed to win the most improved driver for the NSW club and the highlight from her season come via three impressive heat race wins.
The Walsh family have had a very busy season. Kemble Walsh took out the ‘rollover’ award in the NSW club for his efforts during the Australian Title in the 120cc class and there is no doubt that he will be looking to stay on all fours next season and continue to improve. Another member from the Walsh family, Ben Wright, ended up second in the NSW Club Championship point score in the 160cc class behind Mitch Brien and challenged Brien on a number of occasions throughout the season. Newcomer Rylee Walsh might have started the season a bit tentatively but she grew in confidence as the season progressed and by the end of the season she was able to stay with her rivals.
The NSW Junior Quarter Midget Club would like to thank all the drivers and their families for all their support throughout the 2008/09 season and look forward to seeing everyone next season.
To find out more about the JQMA visit their official website: www.jqma.com.au
-ENDS RELEASE-
# 1 AUS Mitch Brien
# 63 NSW Jayke Brien.jpg)
# 23 VIC Tyler Carter
# 34 VIC Jordyn ChargeAll photos by Cassie Tuckett.
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