No winners on tragic day at speedway

By Dean Thompson

What would have been another fun day at the Daylesford Speedway turned to tragedy last week, with a traumatic accident resulting in the death of a popular driver.

Standard Saloon competitor Stephen ‘Dougo’ Douglas sadly passed away on Saturday February 11, just a few hours after winning a heat race on his way to qualifying for the Chivers Memorial feature race.

The Daylesford Drivers Association put out a media release on Wednesday 15 February, which the group said was “the hardest media release the media representative and Daylesford Drivers Association have had to do”.

“All the competitors, the fans, the officials and volunteers and Daylesford Drivers Association members send their deepest condolences with a heavy heart to all of Stephen’s family and close friends, especially to his loving devoted wife, Sandra. Hundreds of people that have been in the company and interaction with ‘Dougo’, will miss him so very much,” the media release read.

“Nobody should have to bear witness to what we all seen on Saturday. The Daylesford Speedway committee encourages anybody present that feels they have a need for support should contact headspace, Beyond Blue, any other support organisation or even just a friend.

“The Daylesford Drivers Association would like to acknowledge the efforts of our volunteers, paramedics, officials, and the attending emergency services teams during the tragic circumstances before them as well as the people attending that had to witness the tragic incident.”

Victorian Speedway Council Junior 1200cc Sedans were won by Arthur Hutchinson from Braiden Webster, Billy McBride, Ella Sheedy, and Riley Taylor as the competitors got their last racing laps in at Daylesford before their scheduled Victorian title at the next race meeting.

Richelle Warlond was deemed the winner in the Ladies with Vickie Alford second and no other finishers.

Arthur Hutchinson doubled up as he also won the more powerful Daylesford Junior Sedan class. Riley Taylor finished in second place ahead of Blaize Majok-Edwards, Ben Carrington, and Blair Botheras.

David Clark took the victory in the Street Stock class ahead of veteran club member Glen McCoubrie, Robert Smith, Jamie Angwin and Riley Noonan.

Daniel Carter once again won the Daylesford Modifieds defeating Brad Trainor, Ryan Daly, Brett Carrington, and Ian Bartlett.

The winners were acknowledged “with no celebration” in the media release, with the day to be remembered no doubt for Mr Douglas’ unfortunate passing, rather than race winners.

“With regards to the Chivers Memorial race in which Stephen lost his life tragically, the club has chosen to withhold the results at this time out of respect for Dougo. After consultation with the competitors, the final prize money has been donated to Dougo’s family on behalf of the drivers as well as some of the other prize money from the event,” the Daylesford Drivers Association added.

By all accounts, Mr Douglas was a happy and well-respected competitor at the Daylesford Speedway, with tributes and condolences to his family flooding in on social media.