Interstate driver Joel Berkley creates history in WA title as attention turns to national modified title

Queensland’s Joel Berkley created history on Saturday night as he became the first interstate driver to win the WA Modified Sedan Title.

Berkley, here in WA to contest two national titles, led all 40 laps of the State title at Esperance Speedway.

He is the first interstate driver to win the event in its 43-year history.

It was a challenging final and Berkley had to survive numerous challenges from the field but crossed the line 1.23secs ahead of WA’s Sam McAuley.

Victoria State champion Kye Walters was third and Queenslander David Head rounded out the podium in the blue ribbon event.

Albany star Jason Batchelor didn’t get the chance to defend his crown after a mechanical problem in Friday night’s practice session ended his campaign virtually before it began.

It was a tough night for the big names from WA with Katanning’s Kye Blight (23 laps) forced to retire with mechanical woes, Albany’s Laurie Dowsett losing a wheel, while Luke Fraser was another non-finisher.

Berkley also ran in the production sedans on the night in preparation for the upcoming national title.

Brenden Higgs was the biggest non-starter in the feature race, after blowing two motors at the event.

The final had 18 of the 22 cars start with Blight starting alongside Berkley on the front row.

Blight and Queensland’s Aidan Raymont tried to draw level in the early stages before both retired to the infield, Blight sustained a broken axel.

McAuley and Walters were the next to challenge Berkley up front before a restart when Dowsett blew a left rear tyre.

There were only 10 laps left to run and this stoppage brought David Head and Gaje Price into calculations for a podium spot but they couldn’t go with the top three.

Berkley tuned up impressively for the national modified title in Albany this weekend, as he held all advances at bay to claim the WA crown.

Price grabbed fifth place ahead of Narrogin’s Paul Stevens while Jamie Goodwin and Kevin Ellment (39 laps) were the only other drivers to finish the race.

Berkley also won the Ian Beard Best Presented award at the title.