Texan Aaron Reutzel is now a two-time Classic Champion after claiming a dramatic final on Sunday night at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway. After starting from position 12 in the 24-car field Reutzel survived the early race carnage to take the lead on lap 21 and from that point he went on claim the $60,000 winner’s cheque. Second across the line was Queensland’s Lockie McHugh, with Brock Hallett completing the podium that comprised entirely of previous Classic Champions.

Western Australian Dayne Kingshott charged to fourth with early race leader Jock Goodyer recovering to finish fifth after being sent to the rear of the field. Kaiden Manders, Matt Egel, New Zealander Max Guilford, Jordy Rae and pole sitter James McFadden completed the top 10.

The major incident of the race occurred shortly after Cole Macedo got by Jock Goodyer for the lead on lap 9, when the slower cars of Tim Kaeding and Ian Madsen crashed in turn three right in front of the leader. Macedo would roll over in the contact with the accident also involving fellow front runners Jock Goodyer, James McFadden and Kerry Madsen. Brock Hallett and Matt Egel just got past avoiding contact.

With the leading drivers either out of the race or sent to the rear of the field former Classic Champion Brock Hallett inherited the lead, a position he would hold until just past halfway.

After starting on the third row, impressive rookie Brad Vaughan’s Classic came to end on lap 15, after he would crash out of the race in turn four after a component failure sent him straight into the wall.

In what proved to be a tough race for the Macedo Brothers, Carson also joined the upside-down club, with a crash on the exit of turn two.

Earlier all of the six heats were secured by drivers on the front row with American Hunter Schuerenberg, Dayne Kingshott, Lockie McHugh, Aaron Reutzel, New Zealander Max Guilford and Kaiden Manders all taking a heat win. The biggest moment of the heat races came in the final preliminary as Knoxville Nationals Champion Ryan Timms made contact with Kaiden Manders while battling for the lead on the back straight, with Timms hitting the turn three wall knocking out the front end.

The C-Main saw Steven Loader roll after contact with Troy Hose who spun in turn two while Kevin Titman later rolled in the same corner. Queenslander Kinser Claridge, Tasmanian Adam Alexander, Luke Thomas and Tarhlea Apelt transferred into the B-Mains.

After a lengthy track preparation, the first B-Main produced an all the way win for Marcus Dumesny who progressed into the final along with Ian Madsen, Carson Macedo and Luke Storer. The event saw a number of caution periods including a red-light stoppage for Kinser Claridge after contact with Adam Butler while Jessie Attard hit the turn 1 wall.

The second B-main got off to a rough start as Bendigo’s Rusty Hickman rolled on the opening lap after he spun in turn three before being collected by Mount Gambier’s Scott Enderl. Once the race got back underway less than a lap later the red lights were back on for Queenslander Brodie Davis who rode out a vicious wreck on the front straight after contact with TJ Stutts on the exit of turn four.

Lap seven of B-Main 2 saw the campaigns of both Ryan Timms and Justin Whittall come to an end after they were involved in an incident in turn 1 along with Glen Sutherland. At the end of a marathon 20-lap event local Peter Doukas, Daniel Sayer, Tim Kaeding and Jordy Rae grabbed the final four starting positions in the Classic finale.

Information and Photo provided by Phil Michell Motorsport Media for Sprintcarworld.au