ALFORD GETS AUSTRALIA EXCITED
Sunday 22nd February 2015
Three more heats in the 2015 World Driving Championship were run this evening at Newcastle, a large city 160 kilometres north of Sydney. Famous for its coal, Newcastle is the largest coal exporting harbour in the world but tonight all of the attention focused on the ten international drivers competing at the Newcastle Paceway. The track itself is 940 metres in circumference.
Australia’s Chris Alford started the night in second position after a strong showing in heats one and two, and after a victory in the third heat he assumed top spot on the Championship leaderboard. Driving Better Than Max, Alford won narrowly, arriving just in time to grab USA star Tim Tetrick and Kardashiancrusader. Denmark’s Knud Monster finished third on Shez Juslika while Finland’s Mika Forss picked up some important Championship points when he finished fourth on Son Of A Star.
Heat four was won by Frenchman Tony Le Beller driving The Merchant Banker. Starting from barrier one, Le Beller pushed The Merchant Banker out early and held the lead despite being pressured by Red Raphael driven by Tim Tetrick. Le Beller kicked away turning and won comfortably, second was Gee Tee Wage driven by Chris Alford while Norway’s Vidar Hop finished third driving The Puritan. Spain’s Guillermo Adrover saved plenty of ground and finished fourth with Strawberry Courage.
The fifth heat saw an aggressive drive from Finland’s Mika Forss as he pushed his horse Satu to the lead early despite drawing wide on the track. After finding the front Forss rated Satu perfectly and was able to sneak away turning for home and held a margin to the finish line with Vidar Hop second on Heza Panamach. Tim Tetrick finished third with Hangover Joe while Tony Le Beller was fourth on Rollon Baby Belle.
|
Name |
Point Score After 5 Heats |
| Chris Alford |
52 |
| Tim Tetrick |
47 |
| Mika Forss |
43 |
| Tony Le Beller |
33 |
| Guillermo Adrover |
32 |
| Vidar Hop |
30 |
| Jody Jamieson |
29 |
| Knud Monster |
28 |
| Dexter Dunn |
19 |
| Pierre Vercryusse |
17 |
| Peter McMullen |
Australia (travelling Reserve) |
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Canada’s Jody Jamieson won the first race at Newcastle tonight. The race was not part of the World Driving Championship however he produced a great drive to score on Saint Stormy.
The Championship will have a rest day on Monday and will then head to Wagga Wagga on Tuesday for another seven heats. Wagga Wagga is 455 kilometres south of Sydney.
Courtesy of Greg Hayes,
Media Coordinator, New South Wales Harness Racing