In an amazing follow up to the 1st December East Coast Late Model event at the Nowra Speedway, on the 29th of December the Dirt Racing Late Models again descended on the small southern NSW city. In a spectacular, incident filled meeting five drivers shared the top three places over three heats and a feature. On the night new entrant to the Late Model series, Alan Oates, showed all comers a clean pair of heels to take out the Feature for the evening. .....

Scott McPherson at Nowra - 29th December 2007

On a beautiful summer evening 2 hours south of Sydney, some of Australia's best Dirt Racing exponents thrilled the record Nowra crowd with the thundering speed and the unearthly roar of the Late Model 400+ cubic inch V8 engines. As a final shakedown for the East Coast Late Model contingent that will compete in Perth in January the racing was fast, furious and packed with incidents.

One of many Laras

The Nowra Speedway managed a fantastic turnout and the Nowra fans are some of the most passionate yet. This is not surprising as it must be one of the best tracks on the circuit with wonderful viewing areas, a terrific family atmosphere, plenty of room, enthusiastic and knowledgeable officials and a canteen still open at the end of the evening. The whole evening was an event "hosted" rather than merely "held". Thank you Nowra.

Darryl Grimson goes below Scott McPherson at Nowra

As with all these meetings the competitiveness of the drivers ensured the crowd were always going to be thrilled, and the thunder from these potent powerplants reverberated through the valley.

Reigning Nowra emperor Scott McPherson (#7 Canberra Better Trailers), Sydney fast star Darryl Grimson (#12 Bringelly Acreage Marketing) and Gunnedah Gun Ken Croft (#71 Daracon Croft Racing) were all there to take the honours. Nathan Disney (#11 Adamstown Car Doctors) had his first (and last outing before Perth) with his new car and did not pull a punch at any point. Sideways was the order of the day for Nat, and his 800 horsepower motor and well sorted chassis kept the hearts in the mouths of all watching.

800 horses sideways

Surprisingly for all, Scott McPherson was unable to make it a perfect night and was unable to retain his title of undisputed Nowra champion although he did win a heat and managed second in the feature event. Heat wins went to Lyle Dicker with the #4 Dicker Glass entry, Darryl Grimson in the #12 Bringelly Acreage Marketing Warrior and Scott McPherson in the #7 Canberra Better Trailers entry.

The feature was won by long time racer, but newcomer to the class, Alan Oates, in the ex-Barry Kelleher Racing #18 GRT chassis.

The victor

Alan Oates has been racing about as long as Australia has had a Federal Parliament - much of it in the United Kingdom, at Wembley and as part of the Spedeworth All Stars (that dates him). It was Alan who sold Barry Kelleher his first racing car back in 1967 and the two have been firm friends ever since (despite this).

Surprisingly chipper and youthful, some may even say debonair (many wouldn't), Alan is fast becoming the James Bond of Late Models. He has installed TWO cameras on his car (we should point out that neither focus on the driver).

It is not all show as his results on Saturday show.

For those that like a good story and have an interest in the ultimate dirt racer (and ultimate drifters) more information is available at www.eastcoastlatemodels.com.au .

Photos from the evening are available for viewing through the "Speedway Images" link on the main menu or here

For those that are passing through the area, the track photographer, Mac Campbell, is accomodating, professional and knowledgeable. For those interested, his work can be viewed at www.speedcardz.8m.com .