NSW driver Brett Sainsbury has accomplished the near impossible by winning the 2011/2012 Victorian Microsprint title without finishing a single heat race at Victoria’s Darlington Speedway.

Heat one saw pole sitter Andrew Baker have to start from the rear of the grid after arriving at the track late due to work commitments elevating Matt Kavanagh to the front row with West Makin on his outside. Kavanagh shot to an early lead ahead of Sainsbury and current Australia 1 Graeme Porter as West Makin pulled infield after a radiator hose let go giving him a nice warm shower. Not to be outdone Jamie Waters also pulled out with leaking water issues closely followed to the infield by Craig Mannix with a misfire leaving only seven competitors but not for long, just as Rod Barker was closing in on the leaders Sainsbury’s engine died. From the restart it was an all the way win to Matt Kavanagh from Rod Barker, Graeme Porter, Andrew Baker and Kristie McLean.

Heat two started without arguably the two favorites in A1 Graeme Porter who lost the front drive sprocket and bush after he crossed the line in heat one and Sainsbury who was working feverishly to replace the blown power plant in the N71.
Rod Barker started from pole and drove to a comfortable win from West Makin and the rapidly improving Jamie Waters who started from position seven on the grid. Andrew Baker was nest across the line from Kristie McLean, Matt Kavanagh and Craig Mannix.

Though hopeful Brett Sainsbury was going to make the grid for heat three he never appeared, wanting to make absolutely sure there were no gremlins in the replacement engine. Also still missing was Graeme Porter and he desperately tried to make all sorts of Honda bushes fit the front sprocket shaft of his new fuel injected power plant.
With the absence of Sainsbury from the grid this again elevated Barker to the front row with Jamie Waters on his outside. Waters jumped Barker off the start but the big mover was Andrew Baker on an absolute flyer down the inside after starting from the rear of the field sandwiching Barker as the trio went three wide into the first corner, Baker got the best run and with a clear track was off with the V19 of Barker in hot pursuit, the two running virtually nose to tail and side by side for three laps with Barker just able to get a run on down the straight after Baker bogged down on the exit of turn two. Over the line it was Rod Barker from the inside flyer Andrew Baker, Matt Kavanagh, West Makin, Jamie Waters and Kristie McLean still suffering with engine gremlins. Craig Mannix failed to finish also having engine woes.

Interval saw crews working hard to prepare for the grand finale none less than the V7 team of Kristie McLean rushing to change the ill performing two stroke.

The grid for the Victorian Title field saw Rod Barker on pole with Matt Kavanagh on his outside, Andrew Baker in three, West Makin from four, Jamie Waters and Kristie McLean from positions five and six, Australia 1 Graeme Porter who managed to finally locate the errant bush he needed from seven, Craig Mannix from position eight and rounding out the field Brett Sainsbury off the back row.

As the cars rolled around it was noticed West Makin has lost a pin from his wing tree which was quickly rectified as the rest of the field impatiently formed up keen to go, all except Sainsbury who was relishing the opportunity to get some run in laps on the new motor.

Green flag at last and it was Rod Barker off to a flying start until caution on lap two when Graeme Porter and Andrew Baker made contact with Porters car having to be lifted off Bakers by the crash crew, green flag and again Barker made a flying start opening up a sizeable lead as both Sainsbury and Porter weaved their way through the field. Lap ten and with Barker opening up almost a straights lead fourth gear let go in the V19 and with Barker having to drive in fifth gear Sainsbury quickly pounced. Craig Mannix retired with continuing engine dramas as Graeme Porter came up on Barker, making contact and rolling Barker with the stewards deeming Barker unable to re-start after going over even though he had only minor wing damage.

At the re-start it was Sainsbury from Porter, Jamie Waters, West Makin, Matt Kavanagh and Kristie McLean still with an off song engine. The fight for the lead was on with Porter taking it up to and passing Sainsbury as yet another yellow when Makin made contact with Waters forcing Makin to pull in just off the racing line. On the re-start and with seven laps to go Sainsbury was returned to the lead by the stewards and began to show a clean pair of heels as Jamie Waters took the race up to Graeme Porter for second as Matt Kavanagh retired with shocker damage and an errant chain, checkered flag time and New South Wales N71 driven by Brett Sainsbury was officially crowned the Victorian Microsprint Title winner for season 2011/2012 from Graeme Porter in second place, Jamie Waters third and Kristie McLean rounding out the depleted field in fourth place.

Well done Brett Sainsbury and his hard working crew Kelly and Dot, worthy and gracious winners.

Rod Barker