Local speedway sensation Wyatt Lawler continued his red-hot run of form with a hometown win on Saturday night.
The 12-year-old Narrabri boy raced to victory in all three of his RSA Junior New Star heats before taking out the feature in front of a huge home crowd at the Newtown Park Speedway.
There were six new star drivers in action at the Northwest Speedway Club Narrabri racenight where Wyatt, the son of Scott and Jamie Lawler, was the clear standout.
The hometown driver started at the front in the first heat of the evening and led for the entirety of the eight-lap race on a wet track.
Wyatt then started from fifth position in both the second and third heats in what were reversed grids. He had taken the lead by the end of the first lap in both of those races before speeding away to victory.
The Narrabri boy then started the feature race at the front against three other competitors after two others were forced out of the race with
car troubles.
One of Wyatt’s toughest rivals and closest speedway friends, Tamworth’s Jackson Gordon, was one of the two drivers who missed out on that feature.
It was disappointing for both drivers as well as the large Narrabri crowd given the quality of both Wyatt and Jackson and their entertaining rivalry on the track.
Wyatt then went on to comfortably win the feature race by more than half a straight.
He showed maturity beyond his age to brush off contact with the wall late in the race as he attempted to go around (and lap) the third-placed driver with one circuit remaining. He stayed composed and never doubted his ability to remain in front.
Wyatt told The Courier that it was a special feeling to win at his hometown track with a heap of his friends in the crowd.
He also thanked his sponsor, Micah Barnes Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, for its support. He added that he was enjoying his racing this season, especially making a lot of new friends through the sport.
Wyatt’s Narrabri win was his third of the year, having already driven to victory at Tamworth on Saturday, January 23, and at Gunnedah on Saturday, March 6.
He also produced an outstanding performance at Gilgandra on Saturday, February 27, where he placed second in his first heat then won the second before the rest of the event was washed out.
Wyatt has now turned his attention to two coming title events. The first of those is the RSA Junior Sedan Australian Title which will be held on Friday, April 2, at Gilgandra Speedway, followed by the NSW Title on Saturday, May 29 at Dubbo.
More results from Saturday night’s event are as follows:
AMCA: First – Raymond Kime, second – Darrell Kime, third – Lindsay Cornwell.
Street Stockers: First – Debbie Donaldson, second – Adam Parker.
Fender Benders: First – Brian Harland, second – Nathan Harland, third – Keith Urquhart.
Formula 500: First – Tony Prior, second – Scott Connole, third – Simon Bestmann.
Junior All Stars: First – Jackson Goldie.
Junior New Stars: First – Wyatt Lawler.
