Tim Gamble took out a dramatic AMCA Fallen Memorial at Castrol Lismore Speedway’s final meeting of the 2024-25 season, Sunday, June 8. In a race originally set for 50 laps that took many twists and turns, Gamble came through and steered clear of the numerous incidents and was in the right place at the right time when time restrictions curtailed the event with seven laps remaining. Bruce Marshall was second and Raymond Phillips third.
“It’s an honour to be a part of this race and get the win this season,” Gamble said.
Recently crowned Australian Champion Matt Hardy got the best of the early laps over Shane Cartwright and set a torrid pace out front. This was the pattern for a number of laps as Shane Newstead also looked good and was in contention after he passed Cartwright and took over second.
Hardy’s race was run with 18 laps remaining after he was the victim of an incident in lapped traffic and hit the wall when a steering component broke. Troy Price was now the driver ready to make his claim for victory following his state title win at the venue the previous night (see story). But at a restart he had a coming together on the first turn with Tony Blanch and was out.
More cars were eliminated in a big crash as the field dwindled after a number of incidents marred the race. Blanch was at this point also one of the stars of the race after he came from the B-main and was at the head of the field with laps running out for the Fallen Memorial. But his run also came to an end when he spun and later withdrew.
Some drivers took the challenge and opted to start at the back of the field in a bid to win not only the Fallen Memorial but the extra $1000 prize money bonus for the win, but the race ultimately took its toll with a heavy list of those who failed to go the distance, mainly due the incidents.
Other main event winners were: Brett Robotham (AMCA B-main), Matt Gordon (Legend Cars), Jakob Lesha (Production Sedans), Travis Dhu (Junior Sedan Top Stars), Mason Stubbs (Junior Sedan New Stars), Shane Carlson (RSA Sedans), James Grady (Wingless Sprints’ B- main), Casey O’Connell (Wingless Sprints’ A-main).
This meeting also represented the end of an era under the promotional control of Kim and Mick Sauer.
Words by Dennis Newlyn
Photo by Daniel Keogh photography