The Modified bracket in the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series served up the usual drama and excitement we have come to expect this season with the Modified bracket in particular having one of those days at the VPW Pro Series 1000 in Adelaide.

Multiple break outs and red lights littered eliminations on a day that saw hometown hero Simon Barlow capture the event win over Michelle Osborn racing in her second home in front of family and friends. 

Barlow survived a crazy first round where all but two competitors broke out in tricky weather conditions before advancing on a solo to the semi finals.

“There was a bit of luck early with the double breakout (in the first round),” said Barlow. 

“I think the weather conditions caught everyone out with 10 out of the 12 cars in the field breaking out in the first round. The solo gave us a good chance to dial the car back in.” 

And dial in he did with consecutive passes of 7.271 seconds at 183.69 mph on a 7.26 dial in and a final 7.262 at 183.82 mph on a 7.25 to defeat Westernationals winner Osborn in a hotly contested trophy showdown.

“I have never raced Michelle Osborn before but have seen some of her results from Perth so I knew not to take her lightly and rightly so, the final was a great close race and I was just lucky enough to get the win. 

“It is always a good feeling to win, hoisting the trophy is the reward for all the hard work that my team and I put into the car and sport. It was really great to be able to do it at a national meeting at my home track against a tough field of racers where I had two of my sponsors present for this meeting.” 

The win puts Barlow on against 160-points ceiling for this one-off six-month season but unfortunately he will not be able to contest for the Modified championship at the Fuchs Winternationals due to family commitments. 

“The plan was always to test the new car to iron out any problems and get some good settings for it and then have a crack at the championship next season which we look forward to kicking off at Alice Springs in July.”

“I have a gold tree sitting at home from the Nationals in Sydney a few years ago and this silver one will be going to my crew chief Anthony Grivell for all the years of hard work he has put in. Without him, my partner Sonia and the rest of my team this would just be a dream. 

“Also thanks to L&H Gawler, Wades Automotive Refinishing, Tig on Welding, MV Automatics and Infinity Signs.”

Image courtesy: Bob Taylor