David Donegan wins the Sports Sedans category on the weekend.
Five drivers secured valuable series points on Saturday night as Wahgunyah Speedway hosted a big night of racing across multiple divisions, with feature victories going to David Donegan, Nathan Shortis, Zach Erickson, Jai Hallett and Keith Simmonds.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Sports Sedans headlined the program, attracting a strong field of more than 30 competitors.
Local Corowa–Rutherglen club representative Danny Cox flew the flag proudly, but it was visiting drivers Steve Kershaw and eventual winner David Donegan, both from Healesville, who set the benchmark.
Kershaw earlier broke the track record, while Donegan delivered a dominant performance when it mattered most.
After nine qualifying heats, Donegan advanced from sixth position to win the pole shuffle, claiming pole position for the feature race ahead of Damien Miller, Cox and Shane O’Brien.
The feature saw early drama, with Brendan Miller sidelined by a flat tyre, Harry Cecil retiring with smoke pouring from his car, and Nathan O’Brien exiting after a small fire.
Damien Miller led the opening stages before Donegan took control midway through the race.
From there, Donegan pulled away decisively to win by almost ten seconds.
Miller finished second, with Jay Nicolaisen, Michael Mannix and Cox completing the top five.
In Junior Sedan Promotional Association racing, Steane Cosson opened the night by setting an eight-lap track record in the first heat.
Zach Erickson dominated the Top Star class with multiple heat wins, while Jai Hallett and Chase Davey shared New Star victories during the qualifiers.
The final was briefly halted after Kade Brockley hit the concrete wall, but on the restart Erickson led every lap to claim the overall and Top Star win ahead of Cosson.
Hallett led throughout to win the New Star division, finishing third outright.
Oscar Conder and Davey rounded out the New Star podium, with Ollie Roycroft impressing in his debut meeting.
Mulwala’s Nathan Shortis takes victory in the Goulburn Ovens Sedans event.
The Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association State Series saw strong local representation, with Mulwala’s Nathan Shortis again proving the man to beat.
Thomas Bowers returned to racing in style, winning early heats, while Mitch Watts and Alex Gouveia also claimed qualifying victories.
Shortis secured the final heat win before controlling the feature race from the front.
Despite challenges from Watts and Bowers, Shortis maintained a comfortable margin to take the feature by four seconds.
Watts finished second, followed by Bowers, Ben Schmetzer and Brandan Lovell.
Unlimited Sedans also contested a state series round, where Keith Simmonds enjoyed a standout night.
Simmonds claimed a commanding win in the opening heat, nearly ten seconds ahead of series frontrunner Corey McDonald.
McDonald responded with heat wins of his own, but Simmonds struck back in the feature.
Simmonds led from the opening lap and steadily extended his advantage, crossing the line almost ten seconds clear.
Lennie Bonnici finished second, with Anthony McKean, McDonald and Paul Williams completing the top five.
Racing returns to Wahgunyah Speedway on March 14 with the Colin Young Memorial round for the Goulburn Ovens Sedan Association, along with track championship events for Juniors, Ladies Sports Sedans, Sports Sedans and Standard Saloons.
Classic Sprintcars, Super Modifieds and Humpy Holdens will also feature, adding a nostalgic touch to the program.
Records set this weekend
SSA Junior Sedans
1 Lap – Steane Cosson – Alexandra – 25.766 – 17/1/26
8 Laps – Steane Cosson – Alexandra – 3:30.417– 17/1/26
VSC Sports Sedans
1 Lap – Steve Kershaw – Alexandra– 22.670 – 17/1/26
VSC Unlimited Sedans
8 Laps – Corey McDonald – Mount Beauty – 2:57.746 – 17/1/26
