Solid 2016-17 Season for Juniors

Photo:InAction Photos

​With 11 race meetings under their belt, the season has now come to a close for Junior Quarter Midgets Victoria, with 2016-17 producing consistent solid car counts and a number of new competitors.

Contesting the majority of shows Geelong’s Avalon Raceway, the first of which was back in November, the season got off to a great start, with a number of drivers delivering positive performances which they would continue to produce throughout upcoming race meetings.

One of the oldest Junior Quarter Midget drivers in the 160cc Open class at 13 years of age, PJ Matheson certainly showed his experience throughout the season, coming away with five feature-race wins, while Declan Robinson also came into his own in the latter half of the season, collecting three feature-race wins, along with a number of minor podium finishes. Round six at Avalon Raceway saw Kane Parkinson score his maiden feature-race win in the class, while Dakota Luckett came close to victory on multiple occasions.

A great battle between Jayden Lock and Arthur Hutchinson developed throughout the season in the 120cc class, with the pair trading top honours back and forth. While it was Lock who won the season opener at Avalon Raceway, as well as round three and seven, Arthur was quick to respond, winning round four, before racking up another four feature-race wins, including the Australian Grand Prix, which took place over two rounds at Laang Speedway and Avalon Raceway in March.

Blake Balcombe ended his season in the best possible fashion, taking out the Victorian 120cc Title at Laang Speedway, after also winning round two and finishing within the top three several times, while Koby O’Shannassy achieved his maiden feature-race win in the season’s penultimate race meeting.

A number of drivers showed great consistency in Novice A, with Callan Atkinson topping the charts with four feature-race wins. After winning his maiden feature race in round six at Avalon Raceway, Callan was on a roll, winning the next two meetings, along with the season closer at Laang Speedway. Each round saw drivers produce competitive racing, with newcomer Talon Humphrey, Mallacai Windsor and Riley Taylor picking up two feature-race wins apiece, with Riley’s first being back in March. Jamie Balcombe also came away with a feature-race win and collected a number of minor podium finishes.

It was an impressive debut for rookie Holly Hutchinson, who drove to four feature-race wins throughout the season, with multiple podium finishes, while Leah Balcombe also impressed, coming away with three feature-race wins. George Bishop opened the season in strong form with a win at Avalon Raceway, scoring his second of two wins in round three, while Logan O’Shannassy achieved his maiden feature-race win in round eight at Avalon Raceway.

To celebrate what has been an extremely positive 2016-17 season, Junior Quarter Midgets Victoria will be holding their annual presentation night on the Saturday night of July 15 at White Eagle House in Breakwater, Geelong. Tickets for the annual presentation night can be purchased by contacting Candice Humphrey via the Junior Quarter Midgets Victoria Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/90083811424/

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, July 30 in the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame & Museum at Avalon Raceway.
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For more information on Junior Quarter Midgets Victoria, visit their website at www.jqmv.com.au or contact their President Graham Hutchinson on 0417 566 709.