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DAVIS CLAIMS HIS MAIDEN

Round 10 of the TKL Contractors Pty Ltd Championship Series at Mount Barker Speedway Club had the feel of a meeting where something was going to give. From the opening laps the pace was sharp, the racing was nose to tail, and the points battle across the heats kept everyone honest. By the time the field formed up for the Busselton Bitumen & Civil 20-lap A-Main, it was clear the day was going to be decided by who could stay clean, stay calm, and take the opportunities when they appeared.

Before a wheel even turned in anger, the day dealt its first blow. Wayne Campbell was forced to withdraw prior to the opening heat with engine issues, a tough way to start what was otherwise shaping as a strong field.

Once the green dropped, the heat races delivered exactly what Mount Barker is known for, tight margins and constant pressure. Rob Trenaman (26w) set the benchmark early by taking Cutts MetalCore Heat 1, then Ken Melvin (42w) responded in Hydraulink Bunbury Heat 2. Michael Cook (7w) looked every bit the man to beat, controlling Hit WA Heat 3 and backing it up again in Hydraulink Bunbury Heat 5 to stack valuable points. Ben Boyd (12w) added his name to the winners list with a solid Cutts MetalCore Heat 4, and Ryan Davis (3w) rounded out the heat winners by claiming Hit WA Heat 6, momentum that would matter later.

Heat 5 also brought one of the tougher moments of the meeting. Kim Williams (32w) crashed hard into the Turn 3 wall and his day was over on the spot. The important part was Williams walked away OK, but the 32w was finished for the meeting.

With the heats complete and the points tallied, Cook’s consistency was rewarded when he was presented with the City Discount Tyres Auto Service Centre Margaret River Highest Qualifier Award for accumulating the most points across the heat races. But the format kept the pressure on: with the invert-style start, the advantage shifted quickly and the A-Main grid reset the narrative. When the green flag dropped for the Feature, it was Davis (3w) alongside Trenaman (26w) leading the field into Turn 1, with the heavy hitters stacked up behind them.

The A-Main opened at full intensity. Davis, Melvin, Greg Joss (69w) and Cook quickly became the focal point, racing hard and committing to gaps that were there one lap and gone the next. Early contact between Cook and Joss sent the 69w to the rear, and after the restart the pressure only increased. Not long after, Cook and Melvin came together in another flashpoint, and this time it was Cook who was sent to the back—turning a points-dominant day into a recovery drive.

Mid-race, the Turn 3 wall had its say again. On lap 10, Jonno Butterfield (98w) crashed hard into the Turn 3 wall, ending his run. Butterfield was OK, but the front-right corner was junk and his day was done.

Up front, the fight never cooled. Davis and Melvin went at it lap after lap, with Melvin throwing everything at the leader, showing the nose, leaning on the bumper, and searching for a way through, while Davis absorbed the pressure and kept hitting his marks. When it mattered most, Davis held strong to secure his maiden Legend Cars victory, a breakthrough win earned the hard way. Behind them, Steve Barrow (16w) kept his momentum rolling and stayed in the hunt all race long, bringing it home on the podium to round out a dramatic Round 10 A-Main.

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