Bunbury’s Jake Leaman wins thrilling WA Junior Sedan Title in Ellenbrook as Albany young gun finishes fourth

Albany youngster Harrison Beres finished on the podium after an impressive drive in the WA Junior Sedan Title at Ellenbrook Speedway on April 23. Bunbury teenager Jake Leaman outlasted his more experienced rivals to win his first WA title, the 13-year-old beating home Jaxon Buszan and Donny Davis while Beres and Zach Munro rounded out the top five in the 25-lap championship decider. Beres, an Albany Speedway Club member, was one of five Great Southern drivers who were part of the big field of 62 drivers from all 10 WA clubs competing in the event. Mt Barker drivers Baxter Trouchet and Brock Pearce along with Albany’s Joel Bowman, Syarra Parry and Beres all took part in the three-day title. In his second WA title attempt, Beres qualified for the final in position seven and made strong progress in the race. He had a terrific battle with Munro and Zak Turner late in the race but he finished powerfully to grab fourth place. Trouchet, competing at the event for a second time, was the other Great Southern driver to make the A-main field of 22 drivers but a flat right rear tyre ended his race after completing only six laps. At her first WA title Parry showed impressive speed and finished seventh in the B-main 2 over 20 laps. Pearce retired from B-main 2 after 17 laps at his second WA title while Bowman in his first State title was forced to the infield after six laps. A strong opening day of racing had Beres and Trouchet inside the top 10 on the points standings. Beres was fifth after three rounds of heats and Trouchet sat in sixth while Pearce was 13th after a solid run in the qualifiers.