Not even the presence of some of NSW’s best drivers was enough to prevent Sam Borlini from dominating the NT Triple Challenge opener – the Des J Nash Outlaw Challenge presented by Total Tools in Winnellie – over the weekend at Roller Door Services NT Northline Speedway.
Borlini, who is Western Australian based but drives for local car owner Mike Borchardt, was able to go through the night undefeated with three from three heat-race wins and then backed up that form by taking out the feature race. For Borlini, it was his third Northline Speedway feature-race win in a row.
By virtue of dominating the heat-race action, Borlini started the 20-lap Des J Nash Outlaw Challenge deciding feature race from pole position. From there, he was able to charge his way to the front of the field, which was a position he held all the way through to the fall of the chequered flag.
Photo: Nakita Pollock Photography
Despite the best efforts of local Jarrod Garraway, who was making his first appearance of the 2016 season aboard the Kevin Quinlan-owned car, he was unable to stop the dominance of Borlini and had to settle for second.
Nathan Dicker was the best of the NSW contingent and completed the podium finishers in third. Dicker was locked in a battle with fellow NSW-based racer Troy Carey for much of the feature race, but in the end managed to come out on top. Behind Carey were locals Josh Norman and Sean Tiedeman in fifth and sixth place respectively.
The non-finishers included Kyle Wiseman, John Murdie and NSW’s Craig Skene – all due to a range of mechanical woes.
Misfortune in the earlier heat races saw NSW’s Jason Davis unable to take their place in the feature-race field, due to an engine failure.
Earlier in the night, the opening heat race saw Borlini outpace Garraway and Skene to the chequered flag, and Borlini downed Garraway and Dicker in heat races two and three.
The local racers certainly took it to their NSW-based invaders and it was proven that track knowledge is a massive advantage around Northline Speedway. This weekend the NSW drivers will be better off for the run and are hoping to turn the tables on their local rivals.
This Friday and Saturday night at Roller Door Services NT Northline Speedway, the remaining two nights of the NT Triple Challenge will be fought out. The running of the KeenQuip Racegear Feature Event will be held on the Friday night and then the Total Tools Winnellie NT Open Championship on the Saturday night.
The NT Wingless Sprints would also like to thank the following event sponsors: Total Tools Winnellie, KeenQuip Racegear, KQ Autos, Steeline, A.M. Cranes, Howard Springs Tavern, Action Print, Beta Berrimah Butchers, La Beach Fish and Chips, Norsign NT, Repco Pinelands, and Q Bar & Brasserie.
To find out more about NT Wingless Sprints, LIKE them on Facebook by searching NT Wingless Sprints, visit www.awsr.com.au/nt or call Mike Borchardt on 0447 089 511.
