In a surprising but pleasing result, rookie Kyle Wiseman managed to claim victory in the final night of the Northern Territory Triple Challenge last Saturday night at Darwin’s Northline Speedway, which doubled as the Northern Territory Open Championship.
Having previously dominated the first two Total Tools – Winnellie supported NT Triple Challenge nights, Western Australian Sam Borlini, driving for local car owner Mike Borchardt, was the one to beat heading into Saturday night’s event, and it was local racer Wiseman who took up the challenge and succeeded, taking an impressive victory in the 25-lap feature race.
Photo: Nakita Pollock Photography
Coming off the back of two disappointing early retirements in the Keenquip Racegear Feature the previous night and in the Des J Nash Outlaw Challenge the week prior and having not previously tasted victory at Northline Speedway this season, Wiseman had a lot of ground work to make up.
Proving that he was up to the task, the deserving winner greeted the chequered flag comfortably ahead of interstaters Nathan Dicker and Troy Carey, who were unable to capitalise on their pace to clinch the top spot. Home in fourth was Borlini, whose result was admirable after an extremely trying night, followed by Sean Tiedeman, NSW racer Jason Davis and Eric Metcalfe.
Earlier in the night, the opening heat race saw a crash involving Borlini, NSW-based Craig Skene and Josh Norman, which caused substantial damage to all three cars. Thankfully the drivers emerged unharmed and while Skene and Norman were unfortunately out for the night, Borlini’s crew managed to put in a big effort in order to repair his car, allowing him to continue and go on to take his fourth-place finish.
Photo: Nakita Pollock Photography
Heat-race wins went the way of Jarrod Garraway and Wiseman (x 2), with Wiseman first displaying his pace when he charged from ninth to first in the second heat race.
The previous night, Borlini powered to victory in the Keenquip Racegear Championship feature race to defeat local Jarrod Garraway and Dicker in second and third place respectively. The earlier heat races resulted in Borlini winning all three of them.
Despite a tough end to the three nights, Borlini took out the overall point standings for the NT Triple Challenge.
The NT Wingless Sprints would 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 or Shane Norman on 0418 838 789.