MAGNIFICENT MONTE'S TOP END TITLE

After a series plagued with engine dramas and strange problems, Luch Monte capped off the 2007 Chariots of Thunder Sprintcar Series in style with a magnificent win in the Northern Territory Sprintcar title at Northline Speedway in Darwin on Saturday night.

Monte began the weekend in great form topping the time sheets in AUSFUEL Time Attack qualifying with an awesome 12.355. He would then finish a solid 2nd behind Adrian Maher in the Marshall Lethlean Shootout on Friday night before returning for the second night to claim a win in his opening heat, 4th in the second heat and scoring top points for "The Hub Hot 6 Dash'.

After two attempts to get the dash underway, Monte had no problems easing the #17 J & J to a 4 second win ahead of fellow West Aussie, Jamie Maiolo in the #99 AQI. Warrenne Ekins passed 3 cars on his way to third ahead of teammate Brooke David, leaving Danny Porter and Jamie Cobby to fill the final two places.

The 16 car field formed up in front of the biggest crowd of the series with all eyes fixed on the front row. Jason McIver was the first to stop; he wouldn't complete one lap and would be forced to take a seat and watch, as the field roared into action.

But it wouldn't be for long, lasting only one turn, Damien Thorne losing the #2 in turn 1, rolling the car, forcing a full red light.

The next attempt would last only a few more laps before Adam Fallas hit the turn 2 wall, at first it looked like a fairly light crash, but Fallas was forced to be removed by medical officers and later transferred to hospital with a suspected back problem, it was later confirmed that he had sustained a compressed vertebrae.

After a lengthy but well performed delay, the field once again formed single file for the 'run to the flag', Monte again left the field in his wake while Ekins and Maiolo engaged in a frenetic battle for 2nd. Ben Atkinson, after starting back in 9th was on the charge through the field, charging pass Grosvenor, Karpenko and Brooke David but couldn't catch the top 3 as Monte roared to the NT title ahead of Ekins and Maiolo.

It was a popular win for the likeable, but quietly spoken West Aussie which he dedicated to his family in particularly, his dad.

While Luch Monte's win in the NT title was popular, Ekins 2nd place was enough for him to regain his Chariots of Thunder Series for another year from Ben Atkinson and the teamed combination of Ian Loudoun and Adrian Maher with Luch Monte rounding the top the four.

Heat race wins on night 2 went to Monte, Ekins, Porter, Atkinson, Grosvenor and Jason McIver.

A MAIN FINAL PLACINGS
1ST - Luch MONTE
2ND - Warrenne EKINS
3RD - Jamie MAIOLO
4TH - Ben ATKINSON
5TH - Brooke DAVID
6TH- Mark GROSVENOR
7TH - Chace KARPENKO
8TH - Geoff FLEMING
9TH - Ian WOODS
DNF - Jamie COBBY
DNF - Danny PORTER
DNF - Adam FALLAS
DNF - Allan BARLEE


2007 CHARIOTS OF THUNDER SPRINTCAR SERIES FINAL POINTS
1ST - Warrenne EKINS 793
2ND - Ben ATKINSON 728
3RD - Adrian MAHER/ Ian LOUDOUN 723
4TH - Luch MONTE 689
5TH - Mark GROSVENOR 651
6TH - Brooke DAVID 641
7TH - Allan BARLEE 607
8TH - Geoff FLEMING 535.5
9TH - Danny PORTER 527
10TH - Jamie MAIOLO 508

Progressive point scores covering the whole COT Series are available by clicking on this THIS LINK ( Updated 14th September )

For further information on race format, prize and tow money details, contact Sally Barlee's Email Link or telephone mobile 0427 341 408 OR you can contact Gary Pendlebury's Email Link or telephone 0418 828 133.