Beaton Wins Millard Memorial

from Andrew Hayes

Warrnambool kart racer Dale Beaton has taken an emotional victory in the second annual Graham and Kathleen Millard Memorial race, held in varying conditions at Hamilton’s Buckley Park Raceway on Sunday, May 18.

Following on from the success of the inaugural event last year, a star studded field assembled to stake their claim on the prestigious race. Beaton looked the class of the field most of the day, his smooth and consistent driving earning him a comfortable victory at the completion of the fifteen lap final.

Over a long karting career, Beaton (above) formed a great friendship and respect for Mr and Mrs Millard, a respect that was evident by the tears welling up in his eyes when he removed his helmet post race.

The battle for second was intense, as forty-six time state champion Remo Luciani went wheel to wheel with Portland’s Scott King. Following on from their thrilling duel in Cobden last month, it was Luciani who finally got the better of King, the battle a real treat for spectators.

Disappointment though for local star Kevin Millard, dramatically failing to start the race which bears his parents name. Millard’s kart ground to a halt just two corners from the green light, forcing him to watch his mate Beaton’s victory from the pits.

1 Dale Beaton (Warrnambool)
2 Remo Luciani (Wimmera)
3 Scott King (Portland)

Results for the other classes at the Western District Titles:

MIDGETS
1          JAKE DIXON              OAKLEIGH
2          JAIDYN JOB               MILDURA
3          DANNY CARROLL     WARRNAMBOOL

ROOKIES
1          MITCHELL BROOME          MT. GAMBIER
2          LUKE BERGENS                      MILDURA      
3          MITCH QUIDDINGTON        BALLARAT

JNL
1          ANDREW RAE                        GEELONG
2          BRETT DILLON             GEELONG
3          BRITTANY HALL                       GEELONG

JNH
1          AARON JOHNSTONE            PORTLAND    
2          CLANCY PURDIE                   ELKC
3          ASHLEY QUIDDINGTON       BALLARAT

JC
1          AARON JOHNSTONE            PORTLAND
2          CLANCY PURDIE                   ELKC  
3          BRETT DILLON             GEELONG

CL
1          CARLY ANDERSON   WARRNAMBOOL
2          JYE O’KEEFE               WARRNAMBOOL    
3          ANDREW SMITH        BALLARAT

CH
1          SCOTT KING                   PORTLAND
2          MICHAEL GEIST                  GKCV
3          LEON FORREST                 HAMILTON

CSH
1          ANDREW HAYES        HAMILTON    
2          PAUL HICKS               HAMILTON    
3          BARRY PECH              HAMILTON

CO40
1          LEON FORREST                       HAMILTON
2          KEVIN O’DONOHUE            BALLARAT
3          STUART SPARKS                      HAMILTON

LEOPARD COMBINED
1          KEVIN MILLARD                    HAMILTON    
2          NICK GOTTELEWSKI         WARRNAMBOOL
3          ASH SINCLAIR                       SWKC

ROTAX COMBINED
1          PETER MCDONALD             SWKC
2          COREY MCCULLAGH          WARRNAMBOOL                
3          SCOTT DITCHBURN            GEELONG

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