Macdonald wins Australian Open
Monday May 3, 2010
(Photos Supplied by Cathy Pammenter)

Shane Macdonald has taken out the first ever Modified Production Australian Open held at Maryborough Speedway on the weekend. Macdonald Qualified out of Position 5 for the 50 lap feature race and Battled with race leader Brett Baxter early on in the race until Macdonald made his move on Baxter to Take the win.

Macdonald had good results in his qualifying heats obtaining 2 firsts, 2 fourth's and a third to put his Commodore out of position 5. Nathan Macdonald also had a good run in his heats with a first, 2 seconds, a third and a fifth which qualified him out of position 8. Other Toowoomba drivers Dennis Bullpitt and Peter Gray qualified their cars out of Positions 18 and 19 respectively.

The race got underway as Shane settled into a rhythm slotting into position 4 on the second lap. Macdonald then applied the pressure to White using the high line to his advantage as Macdonald advanced into 3rd. Macdonald then following pole sitter Ashley Barron for a couple of laps until Barron ran wide allowing Macdonald past. A couple of laps later There was a stoppage as Nathan Macdonald was stranded on the track after he was squeezed for room with Darran White on the outside and Steve Price up the inside. All three cars made contact with each other causing front end Suspension damage ending Nathans hopes of a podium finish. The race got underway as Shane Started to challenge Baxter for the lead. Another stoppage was bought on as Aiden Raymont caught a rut in turn one nearly rolling the car. He managed to bring it back down on all four wheels but ended up slamming into the wall which ended his race. On the restart Macdonald started to make his move as he started working the high line. Macdonald and Baxter going at it side by side with Macdonald on the outside for 2 laps until Macdonald got a good run out of turn 4 to take the lead on lap 17. Shane then went on and led the remaining 33 laps to take the win ahead of Baxter and Johnno Collins. Peter Gray was out after only a handful of laps suffering a broken axle while Dennis Bullpitt came from position 18 to finish a well earned 8th placing. Rodney Pammenter and Kerry Lack qualified for the B main with Pammenter running a strong second until a flat left rear tyre ended his chances of a transfer spot, while Lack missed a transfer by 1 position. Shane Langton unfortunately blew his engine in the first heat of the second night while Darren Ciesolka failed to qualify for the feature event.

Shane would like to Thank the Maryborough Speedway club for organising the event and Thanks to Ken Ashurst from Wholesale, Trade & Security Products for getting right behind the event by sponsoring it. Also thanks to all the crew, Dad, Nathan, Sean, Mum , Sam and all the other Toowoomba guys for chipping in and helping out. Macdonald Racing will be heading to Lismore Speedway this weekend to contest the NSW Title.

Macdonald Racing is proudly supported by the following Sponsors:
Toowoomba Steering and Suspension
Forbes Batteries and Communications
RCP Machining
Repco
The Speed Shop
Linmac
Mac1 Designs