Driver dodges debris on way to NSW title

QUEENSLAND driver Nathan Macdonald overcame engine issues to claim a second state title at Castrol Lismore Speedway last Saturday.

Macdonald was dominant and led from the front against a quality field in the New South Wales Modified Sedan Championship.

He won the Queensland championship in 2023 and has enjoyed plenty of success at the Lismore track.

He nearly rolled over while celebrating on a victory lap with the chequered flag.

Macdonald is based at Toowoomba where he runs the racing team with his brother Shane.

“The track suits the car, and I’m stoked to get away with it at the end,” Macdonald said.

“There was some debris on the track and something broke when I took off quickly.

“We were probably lucky with how it panned out; it’s just a great place to race when you’re in front of the Lismore crowd.

“I knew Max (Clarke) would be there pushing along and that’s exactly what happened.”

Clarke was one of the hard luck stories of the championship after his bonnet flew off with only three laps remaining.

He pulled to the infield where officials also removed the car’s front bumper, but his attempt to rejoin the event was thwarted after a flat left rear tyre ended his race.

In the heats, Clarke recorded the fastest lap of the title when he put down a time of 15.208 seconds in pursuit of Macdonald.

Macdonald set the scene earlier in the night when he took out the opening heat and followed up with another victory in heat five.

Other heat winners were Clarke and Northern Rivers drivers Greg Worling and Madison Harkin.

Queensland’s Aidan Raymont finished second in the main race with Worling third.

Other main event winners on the night were Seiton Young (V8 Dirt Modifieds), Liam Guymer (Junior Sedans New Stars), Lawson Clarke (Junior Sedans – Top Stars) and Michael English (RSA Sedans).

The next scheduled fixture at Castrol Lismore Speedway will feature the traditional running of the East Coast Super Sedan Grand National on Saturday night, April 5.

All roads lead to the two-night Easter spectacular with the V8 Dirt Modified drivers contesting the Bruce Maxwell Classic.

Tickets for both events can be purchased at lismorespeedway.com.au .