The Storm Between: 2024 President’s Cup

The President’s Cup is the first of three big races during Classic week.  Unfortunately, this year Melbourne and surrounding areas were swamped with rain on what was meant to be race day, meaning teams headed straight to Murray Bridge Speedway for the King's Challenge, then to Premier Speedway for the Classic.

Avalon’s President Cup wouldn’t be cancelled though, as on the Wednesday after the Classic and before the Australian Sprintcar Title would be held, the Cup would get a second chance.

With the new date, only 29 teams would nominate themselves. However, with no previous winners attending, it was a definite that a new President’s Cup champion would be crowned.

Marcus Dumesny would set the overall Quickrime with a 12.017 second lap, as Ryan Newton set the fastest lap in the second qualifying group.

The lone American Riley Goodno smacked the wall whilst running second in Heat 1 putting him on the back foot in the B-Main.  Marcus Dumesny would go on to win Heat 1 followed by Kerry Madsen and Jake Smith.

Brock Hallett would take the victory in Heat 2 ahead of Brett Milburn and Sam Walsh.

Ryan Newton would continue his strong form in Heat 3 beating Jamie Veal to the chequered as Jordyn Charge claimed third.

Chris Johns and Kim Loong would both spin out in Turn 1, with Johns sustaining front end damage. Grant Anderson pulled away from the field in the final heat as the grip began to widen and Kaidon Manders finished second ahead of James Ingles.

To set the first twelve positions in the A-Main, the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the heats would compete in the short Mid Pack Dash, with the top two of that dash going to the A-Dash which would be made up of the winners of each heat.

Jamie Veal and Kerry Madsen would be the two to advance into the A-Dash.  Ryan Newton would sprint away from Brock Hallet in that A-Dash, allowing him to start in pole position for the feature.

Tim Hutchins would fly away from the field in the first B-Main as David Donnegan, Ross Jarred and Andrew Priolo also made the transfer to the back of the A-Main.

In the second B-Main Michael Tancredi would smack the wall, spinning on the cushion and out of the President’s Cup.

Tate Frost, Jock Goodyer, Chad Gardner and Jackson Delamont would finish in the top 4 and also make it into the B-Main.

At the drop of the green flag, twenty gladiators would battle for thirty laps for a chance at earning a $10,000 prize pool.

Hallet would take the lead with 24 to go and not long after, the first yellow flag would fly for a spin on the front stretch.  Newton would unfortunately retire during this caution when his muffler fell off, ending what was a fantastic run from the youngster.

Brett Milburn and Tim Hutchins would get together bringing out the second caution, and bunching up the field with only five laps to go.

Brock Hallett wouldn’t succumb to any pressure sent his way from those behind, adding a President’s Cup victory to his resume.  Grant Anderson would finish runner up as Jamie Veal finished third.

​These teams would next head back to Warrnambool for another massive race, the Australian Sprintcar Title.  Who would be crowned Australia’s no. 1?  My money was on Brock Hallett.

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