Precision Balancing's Jeff Leahy Victorian Champion
Photo by Leigh Reynolds of Inaction Photo's
Over two nights of Easter at Alexandra Speedway Jeff Leahy has won the Victorian Saloon Car Federation 3 Litre Sedan title further stamping his dominance on the season in which he has won four times with more races to come.
Competing in five heats over the two nights Leahy started in position four in his first heat and made a couple of attempts to take the lead however a driver error dropped the EL Falcon back to third at race end.
Some adjustments after heat one made the car feel a little more comfortable in heat two and with a pole position start Leahy led from start to finish on a wet and greasy track. In heat three it was much the same again as far as track conditions were and another pole position start was going to help the cause. On lap one though Lennie Clark took the lead only for Leahy to get in back on lap two and hold the lead until the end.
After the first night the team was very pleased with the cars performance although they will still chasing the perfect set up for a loose wet track. In points after night one Leahy was second behind equal leaders Steve Sutherland and Nick Hill.
Greg and Jeff then spent Sunday checking over the car making sure everything was in tip top shape for championship night making minor adjustments to tyres and shocks.
In heat four a great tussle with Matt Gerlach resulted with Leahy coming out on top again moving from fourth to first to make it three wins from four heats.
In the final heat for the team Leahy changed springs before the heat and then proceeded to move to second from fourth on the first turn of lap one and stuck in behind Sutherland and followed him across the line in second.
Unhappy with the springs in that last heat Leahy changed them back to the originals for the Victorian title feature.
With fresh rubber on the car Leahy began from third position in the thirty lap final. In the first turn of lap one Leahy moved into second battling with Sutherland for second and third whilst Nick Hill led. At lap thirteen Leahy was outright second and started the chase on Hill as they lapped backmarkers. At lap seventeen the caution lights came on and bunched up the field for the restart.
Hill, Leahy and Sutherland hustled and bustled at the restart and on lap eighteen Leahy took the lead and stretched the distance between himself and Hill by some eight car lengths when the caution came on again on lap 20. When the race resumed it was Leahy, Hill and Zac Swanson the top three. A couple more yellows resulted in a five lap sprint at the end of the race to win the Victorian title and breaking the one lap record by Gary Sessions along the way.
Jeff would like to thank his Mum and Dad and family and friends for being there and supporting him throughout his racing. Thanks also to his pit crew Dad (Greg), Mark, Rob and Michael and sponsors.
Leahy Speedway Racing would like to also thank their valuable sponsors:
Team at Precision Balancing
Steve & Craig Garlick at G.B Race Cars
Lou at Dandy Race Engines
Gary & Mark at Protrack Automotive Services
Paul at Visual Signage Solutions
Rob at Patch’s Panel & Paint
John at Impression Fibreglass