NOT even the clouds ahead could threaten the on-circuit action at Casey Fields as a record breaking 68 teams took to the criterium for the first round of the 2015 Victorian HPV Series.
Many categories battled tightly for their respective titles throughout the duration of the six-hour endurance trial.
Platt Racing riders were keen to try out their new 2015 trike and proved successful, taking out the elite category win – as well as breaking the lap and distance record – finishing on 177 laps, ahead of Toothless from Wattle Racing on 170 laps, and Taipan from Instinct Racing on 163 laps.
Another constant battle throughout the day was in the Open Secondary Class showdown between St Margaret’s/Berwick Grammar School’s Perzeus and Asphalt Melter from Woodleigh College. Perzeus finally pulled away to finish on 145 over Asphalt Melter on 142 laps.
With constant leader changes in Senior Secondary Class, it was Intrepid from Girton Grammar School that emerged triumphant on 138 laps, one lap ahead of previous 2014 series winners Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies from EDEC and Horton from Drouin Secondary College on 120 laps.
Emerald District Education Centre’s Gremlins Too (Middle Secondary), and Miss Janey of Maiden Gully Primary School (Junior Secondary) claimed the other division titles in the Secondary bracket.
Leading the Female Class with their brand new vehicle, Pegasus, the top girls’ team from St Margaret’s/Berwick Grammar successfully defended their title after a strong finish on 134 laps – it’s sixteenth consecutive race win in the series division. Second place went to EDEC’s Gremlins, finishing on 110 laps, while The Hulk from Frankston High School finished on 109 laps.
T2 from EDEC took out the Community Class category win on 166 laps finishing ahead of Whipstick from Wattle Racing on 155 laps, while first time interstate entrants Relentless Racing (SAWAVIC) finished third on 153 laps.
In the Veterans, G2 Flyer from G2 Racing finished on 147 laps, only one lap ahead of PUDS Racing. Third place went to Scorpius from St Margaret’s/Berwick Grammar School, after knocking in 136 laps.
“It was a privilege to lead and work with such a dedicated team and committee in order to put on a fantastic first event on the racing calendar this year,” club president Nathan Boon said.
Mr Boon passed on his congratulations to all the teams and competitors and was eager to see them return to Casey Fields for future events on the 2015 Victorian HPV Series calendar.
The next event in the series is the Wonthaggi 24 Grand Prix on 20-21 March.
