Ian Loudoun has taken out an action packed opening round of the 2009 Chariots of Thunder Sprintcar Series at Ostojic Group Northline Speedway in Darwin on Saturday night. The 32 year old from Bella Vista in Sydney grabbed the lead at the start from Ryan Farrell, who spectacularly crashed out of the event on the opening turn after starting from pole. At the first of many restarts, Loudoun again moved into the top spot with Warrenne Ekins chasing the Blackshaws Motor Body Repairs J&J chassis. The race would again stop, when Jamie O'Neill spun to the wall after contact with another car in turn one. The local driver was extremely dejected after making the transfer from the last chance B Main prior to the final. The field line up once again with Loudoun at the front from Ekins, Monte, McIver and Adrian Maher all in the top 5.

The race restarted and got underway with McIver beginning his charge to the front and challenging Monte for the 3rd spot. Ben Atkinson was searching for drive on the highline of the track and was battling with Daniel Goldoni for a spot inside the top 10 on the third lap, when the two collided and began a series of end for end roll over's on the back straight. Both drivers emerged from their respective cars, which were extensively damaged, Atkinson's Torque Motor Group Shark chassis catching fire briefly when the safety crew turned the car back on its wheels. So for the third time the field was compressed with Loudon's comfortable lead was reduced to a car length. Three laps later, James McFadden, who had been holding down a top 5 spot began to slow on the back straight and would eventually come to a stop in turn four, a driveline failure was the cause. Loudoun again cleared away and the race settled down into a rhythm, McIver got the job done on Monte who was losing touch with the leading duo of Loudoun and Ekins. Monte's race was to come to an end when a nerf bar parted ways with the #17 J&J, spearing through his right rear tyre in the process.

The incident almost claimed fellow West Australian, Ben Ellement, who slowed to avoid running into the rear of Monte's car. Ellement was then put 'controversially' to the rear of the pack, but was later reinstated to 8th place. Loudoun was never fazed in the remaining laps and would hold on to take his 2nd feature race victory after winning the Darwin Title preliminary event in 2008. Warrenne Ekins finished in a self-proclaimed 'disappointing' 2nd spot in a car that was not 'fun to drive'. Jason McIver bounced back to rectify his Friday night last lap failure with 3rd spot after starting in 7th. Adrian Maher finished in 4th place in the Integrity Security System Maxim after qualifying inside the top 10 for the final. Tasmanian 16 year old, Shaun Dobson, not only became the youngest driver ever to compete in the series, but was also the highest place rookie in the field, finishing 5th.

Cameron Gessner redeemed himself with 6th place in the Brooke David owned Direct Haul #10. Bryan Mann, Allan Barlee, Ben Ellement and Wayne Bridgeford completed the top 10 place getters. Bridgeford's 10th place was his best finish in his short career and Allan Barlee's 8th place was a continuation of his great season to date. Jamie Maiolo won the shortened last chance B Main event. Bryan Mann, Ben Ellement and Jamie O'Neill were also the lucky transferee's. Kevin Quinlan was first reserve, but decided not to enter the event after Ryan Farrell's first lap exit from the event.

Heat race action saw Warrenne Ekins collect two wins to add to his impressive tally of 24, Ryan Farrell, James McFadden, Jamie Maiolo and Ben Ellement all grabbed singles. Paul Morris impressed in his heat race, leading the event for well over half the race, then the field pounced. The now semi retired V8 Supercar driver was still happy with his weekend's effort and is looking for more improvements at the next round. Round 2 of the Chariots of Thunder Sprintcar Series will begin on Friday August 28 with qualifying, two rounds of heats and a preliminary A Main. The field will then return for two more rounds of heats on Saturday followed by the last chance B Main and 30 lap A Main.

TOP 10 POINTS AFTER ROUND 1
Ian LOUDOUN 120
Warrenne EKINS 115
Ryan FARRELL 110.5
Adrian MAHER 102
Luch MONTE 101
Jason McIVER 100
Shaun DOBSON 98
James McFADDEN 97.5
Cameron GESSNER 87.5
Wayne BRIDGEFORD 83

All results can be accessed post race at NATSOFT Race Timing - Natsoft Website
Produced and released by Matt Naulty Media - Matt Naulty Media