Changed fortunes and a closing of the gap resulted from Night 1 of the Chariots of Thunder Series at Darwin's Ostojic Group Northline Speedway, which also incorporates the NT Sprintcar Titles.

Going into the final round of the series, WA's Ryan Farrell held a 22.5 point gap over the NT's Warrenne Ekins who in turn had a 22 point gap to third placed Ian Loudoun from NSW.

New South Welshman Adrian Maher set the pace in time trials with a lap of 11.848 in the Integrity Security Systems Maxim.

Huge news for the night was that of series leader, Farrell, failing to make the 20 Lap Feature race after a 4th placing in his first heat and a DNF in the second after tipping the Monte Motorsport J&J machine over after Queensland's Todd Wanless flipped in turn 4 bringing on the reds. Farrell was attempting to slow down for the red light but came into contact with another car and ended upside down.

Heat race wins were recorded for the NT's Troy David, fellow Territorian Daniel Goldoni, multiple Australian Speedcar Champion Warrenne Ekins, former Solo rider and Territorian Wayne Bridgeford, New South Welshman Ian Loudoun and James McFadden, the former Territorian now based in Queensland.

Front row for the 20 lap journey in the feature race had Loudoun and Ekins pitted against each other for the ride into turn 1. All hell broke loose on lap 2 when Chace Karpenko, Troy David, Kevin Quinlan and Ben Ellement all came together in turn 2. All four cars were eliminated in this incident which took some time to clear up as the cars were fairly tangled together.

The NT's Daniel Goldoni was next to exit the race in his Brolga Homes Maxim when he pulled up lame on the entry to turn 1.

Out front, it was Loudoun leading the way with Ekins not able to reel in the Blackshaws Motor Body Repairs J&J, with Ekins home 2nd in the Peter Kittle Motor Company Murphy car, and Racin' Jason McIver putting aside his disastrous run in the series to finish 3rd in the Harbour Haulage XXX.

With the final round of heats, a last chance B Main and the all important 30 lap A Main still to come tonight, throw in a new series leader, Warrenne Ekins and we have the makings of a real special conclusion to the 2009 Chariots of Thunder Sprintcar Series.

All results can be accessed post race at NATSOFT Race Timing - Natsoft Website