Jason Dawkins Wins Thrilling Tasmanian Sprintcar Championship
Aaron Wells … 16 – 3 - 2008

Sprintcars Tasmania Media Release -- www.sprintcarstasmania.com

Second generation Sprintcar racer Jason Dawkins last night took out the biggest win of his driving career when he hung on in a nail biter to to take out the 2008 Tasmanian Sprintcar Championship, at Latrobe's Mountain Dew Ice International Speedway.
 

Defending champion Robin Dawkins was a notable absentee from competition last night, as was former state champion Phil Coates. Victorian driver Jamie Veal stayed on for another week, having competed in the last four meetings on the island state.

Heat victories went to Jason Dawkins, Adrian Redpath, Geoff Lette, Kurt Luttrell, Tim Austin and Gerry Hoekstra.

Heat racing also saw some spectacular crashes, none more so that that of Adam Alexander, who rolled his car in turn three, taking out the traffic light and wiping power to the rest of the lights. Luckily track crew were able to rectify the problem quickly and racing was soon underway.

Jason Redpath crossed the line first in the final heat of the night, having put on an awesome display driving from the rear, but was put back two positions post race for an alleged in-field pass.

At the end of the six heats, Jason Redpath had done enough to secure pole, while Jason Dawkins would start beside him. Shannon Wynne-Allen had some impressive results through the heats and started third, with Adrian Redpath fourth. Jamie Veal started out of five, Gerry Hoekstra sixth, Kurt Luttrell seventh, Tim Austin eighth, Geoff Lette ninth and Kane Cruse rounded out the top ten staring positions.

Dawkins, who qualified on outside pole for the 30 lap feature, which was cut back from 40 due to time constraints, was initially jumped by pole sitter Jason Redpath, and Adrian Redpath who made an outside move from grid 4, only to be halted by a yellow light.

Dawkins was a wake up to the Redpath's on the second start, and immediately bolted away into the lead, opening up a substantial gap between himself and the Redpath brothers who were themselves in a tight tussle with Shannon Wynne-Allen.

Just ten laps into the race Dawkins looked to be fighting the car possibly because of tyre wear. The Redpath brothers caught onto the back of him rapidly and with traffic thick ahead it appeared Dawkins may lose his position.

Dawkins put in a huge drive to hold steady, at one point making his way past 3 lapped cars in one hit, all but securing him that illustrious championship he has wanted for so long.

As the white flag came out, it appeared that Dawkins would take the championship no worries - wrong. Just as he headed into turn four for the final time he was halted by a red light stoppage brought on by Gerry Hoekstra and Tim Austin who had rolled over.

A green-white-chequer restart was ordered and away they went. As Dawkins was greeted by the white flag for the second time, Jason Redpath made a massive move around the outside of Dawkins, taking the lead and what appeared to be the win, that's where the trouble started.

Officials ruled that Kane Cruse, who had spun in turn one had brought on the yellows before the leader, being Jason Redpath had received the chequer flag, this brought about much controversy, especially when  it became clear that not only did Redpath have a flat right rear tyre, but officials had also decided he must go to the rear if he is to restart to run the final two laps. Redpath opted to pull infield.

Dawkins made no mistake with his second chance at the title, holding off Adrian Redpath to take a hard earned and long time coming Championship, Redpath came in second and visiting Victorian young gun Jamie Veal rounded out the top three.

In finishing in second place, Adrian Redpath secured his first Farmers Union Iced Coffee Tasmanian Sprintcar Series win, having fallen desperately short in previous seasons.
 

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