THE Wangaratta City Speedway drew a record crowd for the Victorian Compact Speedcar Championship on Saturday night.
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More than 1000 people watched the title event, the production sedans and local-class races.
Speedway secretary Peter Patton said it was the first time the centre had held the major event.
“It was the biggest spectator crowd we’ve had,” he said.
“There were lots of families from Melbourne and interstate.”
Melbourne’s Robbie Gordon won the state title ahead of Bow Bowing’s Rob Eyeington and Shepparton’s Mark Cecil.
There were 22 starters in race — from Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
“It was a very hard- fought final,” Mr Patton said.
Meanwhile, Albury’s Rodney Anderson won in the production sedans challenger, beating Corowa’s two-time Victorian and four-time NSW champion Trevor Mills.
Mills was at the head of the field for five laps until Anderson saw an opening, passed him and then managed to keep the lead for the rest of the race.
“Trev tried really hard to pass him and nearly did at the end but Rodney Anderson persisted and won,” Mr Patton said.
Anderson said it had been a tough race to win.
“He’s the hardest guys to beat,” he said of Mills.
“He’s a champion.”
After only ever finishing second, Anderson said it was exciting to finally take home a blue ribbon.
“The money will also come in handy seeing I’m getting married in two weeks,” he said.
“The cars I was racing were the best around.”
Leeton’s Wayne Bourke came third.