McHugh Claims Australian Title # 2

Winning an Australian Super Sedan Title was certainly sweeter the second time around for Queenslander Jamie McHugh.

Earlier this month at Speedway City in Adelaide, South Australia, McHugh drove to his second Australian Title victory but after he qualified on pole position he certainly didn’t have the feature race go all his way.

After he had been outraced into the opening turn by fellow front row starter Dave Gartner, McHugh had to fight his way into command and during the second half of the 40-lap event he was able to reel Gartner in. The pair followed each other around closely for a number of laps before McHugh was able to size Gartner up and drive around him and into the lead on the 32nd lap and from there he was never headed.

“I certainly had to earn this one well and truly, as Dave [Gartner] made me earn it all the way through the finish,” said the driver of the Miami Smash Repairs / Caravan Repair Company supported Sweet car. “I wasn’t too concerned about Dave getting the jump on me, I just kept my cool as I realised 40 laps was a long way and if my car was good enough then I’d get my shot and that was what happened. During the second half of the feature race I started to reel him in and then I just waited for the right moment and I was able to pull off the race winning pass.”

McHugh won his maiden Australian Title Super Sedan Title back in 2008 at Mildura’s Timmis Speedway in Victoria driving for the Boettcher Racing team; he admitted that winning it the second time around was sweeter.

“As much as it was great the first time around, winning an Australian Title with your own team and guys that have been involved with you since the beginning made it all that much sweeter,” he expressed. “Although we’ve been quick this season, it hasn’t been the best of seasons and at times we’ve struggled. I ran the National Series earlier this year at Speedway City and we weren’t that flash. I knew that with the Australian Title coming up that I needed to do my work homework, as I knew where we went wrong, and it all paid off as we were quick throughout the weekend.”

McHugh wanted to say a special thanks to his crew chief Bud, crew member Daniel, Rob from Sport Engines, Glenn Seton, Mark King from Kings Springs, Scott from Quantum Race Products, Racer Pro Cylinder Heads, Michelle from Art by Mickey, Miami Smash Repairs and the Caravan Repair Company for all their support in helping make his 2010 Australian Title success possible.

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