Sunraysia

In what, to most people, would be considered very unusual circumstances, it appeared that in order to win any of the major events at this year’s Mildura & District Pest Management Mildura All Power Nationals, to carry the race number 1 or 21 was an advantage.  

South Australia’s Daniel Wenske did, and in a way stranger than most, to take out a unique double.  He took #21 to the top of the podium in Friday night’s Standard Stampede, then took #1 to the top step again in the prestigious All Powers National itself, and in doing so, completed a unique ‘double’. 

He became the first to successfully defend his All Powers crown and with the Standards victory, added that ‘double’ to his weekend.  In achieving his wins in Standards and All Powers, Wenske emulated the efforts of Graham Keats in 2011 of taking out 2 wins over the meeting.

The All Powers class is unique to the Sunraysia (Vic) club and is a combination of SKAA’s Modified, 100cc Outlaw and 125cc Pro classes. 

The inclusion of the 3 classes into one ‘super’ grouping is not as strange as it may seem.  The layout of the Olympic Park motorcycle speedway evens out the performance and lap times of the individual classes, making each competitive against the others.  The introduction of minimum weight rules for this year’s running of the All Powers has made it even more competitive.

Wenske stamped his authority on the All Powers final, leading from the start, but he did not have it all his own way.  At all times through the race, he was hounded by a determined pack of adversaries, all intent on preventing him from gaining the win, should the opportunity arise. 

The new weight rules for this year’s running of the All Powers class levelled out the field and produced some very exciting racing.  Second over the line was SA’s Mark Burford, followed by Rhys Hackett and Damien Lewis.  The close racing in this class was one of the highlights of the meeting.

Wenske had an easier task in his win on Friday night, dominating the Standard Stampede for the majority of the race.  Several contenders had made their intentions known during the heats, but Wenske held sway when it counted most. A late stoppage brought him back to the field, but he held on in the dash to the chequered to lead Kyle Lambe, Mitch Gladman and Bob Latta over the line. 

After regaining the Australia 1 number at April’s titles at Tamworth, New South Welshman, Brad Cunneen took his #1 to the winners circle on Friday night in the Modified All Stars 50 Lap feature. Cunneen was jubilant to finally add the win at Mildura to his Australian crown.

Tasmanian Cody Dransfield managed to overcome relegation to the rear of the 16 kart field early in the final, powering his way back up the order to challenge Cunneen in the final laps and taking a well deserved second. 

Brett Manuel was delighted with a third at his first visit to Mildura. Fourth was taken by an overjoyed, Steph Van Ginneken from Melbourne, in her return to serious competition after sitting things out following a heavy tumble at the Australian titles at Katherine in 2014.

The Mark Varacalli Memorial for 200cc Twins went to fast finishing Sunraysia speedster, Sam Mayes after he managed to slot his machine inside leader, Ben Brown (SA), exiting the last turn to take out a thrilling win.  Mayes, also running #21, had made his way to the podium from the rear of the starting grid, setting and resetting lap records along the way.  Ben Stone followed Brown, with Mildura’s Kelsey Allen taking the last of the podium places. 

After good showing in his heats, Jason Varacalli was hit by mechanicals woes when looking to being a contender mid-way through the final and being forced to withdraw.  Following the race, he proudly joined his mother, Kerri, in presenting awards to the place getters in the race dedicated to his father.

The number 21 was, once more, to take pride of place in the Junior All Stars as Cameron McDonough took a comfortable win to prevent second placed Luke Geering from achieving a fourth win on the trot in the Juniors. 

Mildura local, Todd Martin, finished just behind 3rd placed Aaron Tranter, to continue a good run of form of late.  The Juniors, once more, displayed their competitiveness and all around good sportsmanship, with all drivers congratulating the winners.

In his debut meeting in Junior Standards, Brodie Adams, from Mildura, took to the class like the proverbial ‘duck to water’, revelling in conditions to display his talent in a kart.  Adelaide’s Ben Morris showed his experience all night, but was challenged at every opportunity by Adams.  Morris was to take the win from Adams in the final, with Victorian’s Riley Amato and Jade Vogele in tow.

Sub Juniors were again the darlings of the meeting as cousins, Jameson and Austin Best, showed that they will be have to be watched when they are able join their friends in the Juniors at their home meetings near Melbourne.

“The club was very pleased with the results from the weekend and overwhelmed by the sentiments expressed by the competitors" President of the Sunraysia Dirt Karters, David Collins, said.

"The club thanks the sponsors, officials, drivers and families, all of whom make this meeting what it has become.  Many times, I received congratulations from visiting drivers on how the club organizes and runs, what the drivers consider, the best kart meeting each year”.

Whilst reviewing everything All Powers, here are a few facts!

• Including late nominations, the event totalled 110 nominations for the weekend, from 75 different drivers!

• 10 of these nominations were from females – taking it to the blokes . . . and doing it well.

The individual states represented were; 

• Victoria - 45 

• South Australia - 17 

• New South Wales - 10 

• Tasmania - 2 

• Northern Territory - 1

From the huge amount of Victorian drivers; 

• Sunraysia Dirt Karters - 20 

• Melbourne Speedway Kart Club - 16

• Yarra Valley Speedway Kart Club - 7     
  
  12 entrants were solely AIDKA drivers; they came to find out what the All Powers buzz is about!
  Several drivers who also took the opportunity to race the All Powers, normally compete in other Motorsport categories;  KA, F500, Wingless Sprintcars, Sprintcars, Bitumen Sedans, Speedway Sedans, AMCA, Motocross . . . And surely there are more!
  The numbers speak for themselves . . . . . Mildura All Power Nationals . . . Add it to your list!