Memorial race honours Ballarat legend

By Dean Thompson

Long time former racer and long-time Ballarat based businessman, the late Ern Overall, is once again the focus of the Modified Sedan competitors and Redline Raceway this Saturday night, with the Ern Overall Memorial feature event as part of the Victorian Modified Promotional Association series round.

Ballarat will have significant representation across the fields, with many local competitors suiting up for race action. Along with the Modified Sedans, Street Stocks, Standard Saloons, and the Speedway Drivers Association of Victoria Hot Rods competing in their own memorial race to honour Ted Alabacus, a legend of Hot rod racing in Victoria.

With the Ern Overall Memorial doubling as a Victorian Modified Promotional Association state series round, more than twenty-five Modified Sedans have entered this weekend’s event. Representing the host club are Darren Cockerill, Calvin Watts, and Kye Walters, whilst also competing are Ballarat based racers Darcy Wilson, Lucas Conder, Chris Whatmore, and Paul Botheras.

Cockerill, Watts, Walters, and Wilson in particular are more than capable of claiming victory this weekend whilst visiting competitors such as Cameron Dike, Lachlan Fitzpatrick a winner this season, Matt Gerlach, Brody Chrystie, Daniel Simpson, Graham West after a big win recently at Avalon Raceway, Scott Angus a winner this season, Tristan McGraw, and Shane Roycroft are all in the mix for a win or podium spot.

Support action from the Street Stocks has attracted many of the usual home track heroes and along with a few visiting hot shots. Leigh Gooding a winner recently at Avalon Raceway is in the field that includes Nathan Fawns, Scott Secombe, Dale Blomeley, Mark Purdie, Kane Lloyd from the Northern Territory, Bhoe Paterson, Michael Sefton, and Nick Chrystie a former state Standard Saloon champion.

The greater Ballarat region will be represented by others, including Lindsay Fox, Jo-Anne Scott, Ron and Josh Davey, and Dean Whatmore.

Scott Whittle, who is yet to be defeated at Redline Raceway this season having won all heats and finals that he has competed in, faces some real tough competition this weekend. Mitch Foster whose been winning or placing in Gippsland is up for the battle, with Whittle’s Redline club mate Craig Templeton also in the field. Jacob Vuillermin fresh of victory last weekend in Bairnsdale is coming are Josh Campbell, Aaron Marshall, Andrew Marshall, and Scott Angus who will run in two classes on Saturday night, Standard Saloons and Modified Sedans.

The local Ballarat contingent includes Austin Chivers, Patrick Walsh, Daniel Carter, Lachie Chivers, Ian Walsh, Luke Head, Jacob Head and Brad Sheppard. They will all be keen to show the visitors that Ballarat is their turf.

Shannon Meakins is the standout competitor in the SDAV Hot Rods however Brendan Roberts, Phil Jenkins, Andrew Kemp, and Tony Green are just some of the challengers in the field he will contend with. The Ted Alabacus Memorial race is an important event for the Hot Rods in honour of the great man who himself was a terrific front running racer in his time.

Racing begins at 4:00pm finishing around 10:30pm at 569 Yankee Flat Road Buninyong. Adult Tickets are $30 each with Children aged from 6 to 16 at $7 and aged and invalid pensioners $25. A family ticket will cost $65 for two adults and three children whilst any child aged five and under are free. Drivers and Crew Pit Levy is $30.

The venue is a permitted alcohol venue, no BYO allowed under law. Contact for information 0418 399 917.