February 2, 2023
Toowoomba driver Shane MacDonald is the new “King Of Kingaroy” after taking out the $10,000 final of the Kings Royal for Modified Sedans at the Kingaroy Speedway on Saturday night.
The A Main final – which followed 45 heats, 10 dashes, 5 pole shuffles and the B Main – ended up in a tight three-way tussle between MacDonald, former Kings Royal winner Kye Walters and former Australian champion Mark Carlin.
Previous Kings Royal winner – and a crowd favourite – Aidan Raymont was an early casualty on Lap 9 alongside early leader Max Clarke and Gary Pagel.
Unfortunately, local racer Brett Barron, who finished in top spot in the B Main earning an automatic start in the A Main, did not get on to the track in the final because of a last-minute mechanical problem.
His withdrawal left 23 entrants racing for the $10,000 winner’s cheque.
The three-day Kings Royal is the richest event for Modified Sedans on the Australian speedway calendar.
But there was also racing in Production Sedans, Street Stocks and Junior Sedans across the carnival.
Action got under way on the Australia Day afternoon, with the official opening by Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington.
Record nominations in all classes prompted some last-minute adjustments to the racing order.
There were big crowds of spectators every night, with the showgrounds filled with campers.
On Thursday night, the Queens Royal for women drivers, was raced in New Stars and Top Stars categories.
The women took to the track in a mix of Production Sedans and Street Stocks.
Charlotte Christensen was crowned “Queen Of Kingaroy” after taking out the Top Stars final.
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Kings Royal Parade
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A Main Results
Queens Royal – New Stars (Thursday)
1. Amy Budgen
2. Melinda Wright
3. Traci McGee
Queens Royal – Top Stars (Thursday)
1. Charlotte Christensen
2. Sarah Franz
3. Sheree Barron
Street Stocks (Friday)
1. Matt Nelson
2. Ben Stead
3. Dale Morrison
Junior New Stars (Saturday)
1. Jackson Kunny
2. Lily Whell
3. Sam Duthie
Junior Top Stars (Saturday)
1. Aidan Rigby
2. Jaiden Santin
3. Braydon Steffens
Production Sedan Stampede (Saturday)
1. Brad Scherer
2. Joel Berkley
3. Simon Walker
4. Josh Jarius
5. Murray Dioth
Kings Royal (Saturday)
1. Shane MacDonald
2. Kye Walters
3. Mark Carlin
4. Josh Harm
5. Dylan Barrow
Mark Deckert was presented with the award for the Best Presented Modified Sedan
• Full results are available online
