Sport
21 March, 2025
State titles for Super Rods
SUPER Rods will head to Hamilton this weekend for the running of the Victorian Title.
Two-time title holder Jacob Pitcher will be aiming to win his third consecutive title – matching the legendary Darryl Nelson as only the second driver in history to do so.
Standing in his way will be a quality field, stacked with talent, experience, and a hunger to take the crown.
Two drivers also aiming to join the exclusive three-time champion club are Shaun Walsh and Michael Coad.
Walsh, a former champ in 2011 and 2015, will be behind the wheel of the Humphries-owned S79 car.
Meanwhile Coad, piloting the Duynhoven Family S59 machine, will be hoping Hamilton is once again his lucky track, having previously won there in 2016 before backing it up in Horsham in 2018.
After a strong runner-up finish last year, Paul Verhoeven is looking to go one step higher and claim his first Victorian Title.
Another driver eager to shake up the history books is Jamie May.
A consistent front-runner, May came agonisingly close to victory a few years ago, finishing second to Neville Gange at Hamilton.
But this season, momentum is on his side.
Fresh off his win in the prestigious Trevor Podger Memorial (a race many drivers hold in equal regard to a title), May is coming in with confidence and form.
There’s also a wildcard in the mix in Joshua Aston.
While new to the Super Rod class, Aston is no stranger to Hamilton or high-speed competition.
The Limited Sportsman driver will be stepping into the second Team Humphries car, and if his past performances in other divisions are anything to go by, he could be a major dark horse.
The Pitcher family will be well represented on the weekend, with Jacob’s brother Bailey also a nomination and their father, Allan, will be out there in his Avalon 10 car.
Bragging rights will be on the line within the family, but more importantly, the competition between them could shake up the battle for the title.
Stan Marco and his son, Stan Marco Jnr also have a deep history in the sport, and when they hit the track, they mean business.
The family name is synonymous with tough, hard racing, and if there’s an opportunity to fight for the podium you can bet they’ll be in the thick of it.
Gerrard Mabbitt, Ash Marshall, and Tanner Barclay are all drivers who have been knocking on the door of podium finishes, and this could be the night they break through.
Paul Baker will make the trip from Horsham, adding another strong contender to an already impressive lineup.
Women will also be well represented in the field.
Stacey Court recently grabbed a heat race win at Simpson Speedway, proving she’s more than capable of taking it to the best.
Sally Woolstencroft, in the Simpson 66, will be one to watch as she mixes it up with the front-runners.
For rookies, it will be a night of challenges and opportunities.
Georgie Higgs will make his debut at the venue, while Michael Grist, though a rookie to the class, has done plenty of laps in his vintage car at his home track in Hamilton.
Locals will also be represented by the Ackland boys in their 7 and 11 cars, and Billy Grist in the HA23 car, hoping to defend their home turf.
With the Victorian Super Rod Title on the line, plus support classes including the Street Stocks Southern Series, Production Sedans and Limited Sportsman, fans are in for a high-adrenaline night of racing.
Public gates open at 3pm, with on-track action from 5pm.
*Photos courtesy Donna Rosenstengel.
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