Williamson finishes third in drama-filled sprintcar grand final

Callum Williamson finished second in the Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Championships grand final to claim an overall series third in a drama-filled event at Perth Motorplex on Saturday.

Even with double points on offer for the final event, it seemed series leader James Inglis would simply be given the opportunity to enjoy himself, only needing to finish in the top 20 to claim the title.

However, in lap 15 Inglis required medical treatment after bombing out in a big crash on the main straight that also involved Kris Coyle as his car flipped end on end.

The race was red-flagged as Inglis was in serious trouble and was sent for x-rays on his neck, which he could not move.

He has since returned home and, while sore, avoided major injury.

Despite the incident, Inglis still managed to claim enough points classified as 17th to win the series from Jason Kendrick, Williamson and Dayne Kingshott.

Inglis set the Victory 1 Performance Quick Time at the start of the show and then finished second in his heat race before winning the B Dash to start on the front row, with Williamson in the 10th after finishing fifth in the B dash.

The feature race was not even a lap old when Ryan Lancaster, Jack Williamson and Cameron McKenzie were involved in a big crash on the back straight, putting out all three.

Four laps in and Jamie Veal was into lapped traffic and with 10 laps done, Kingshott was challenging Inglis for second when the reds came on again - this time for a Jeremy Hale crash.

Not long after the field took the green, the complex lights went out with major power issues in the area.

After a lengthy delay, Veal led away from Inglis, Kingshott, Taylor Milling and Coyle.

The red lights came on again after a sickening crash on the main straight that saw Inglis and Coyle involved, with Inglis in pain and requiring medical assistance.

And then the lights went out again, for another lengthy delay.

Next time away it was Veal from Kingshott, Andrew Priolo, Williamson, Milling, David Priolo, Mitchell Wormall, Kendrick and Jaydee Dack.

Soon after Williamson shot into second and Kendrick was locked in a see-sawing battle with David Priolo for fifth.

Veal opened up a handy gap but as the race wore down Williamson was right on his tail and ready to mount a challenge but the race was declared after David Priolo slid under Kendrick but then hit the fence, putting himself out of the race.

Williamson finished the series third on 2556 points 26 behind Inglis and 12 behind Kendrick.

“The start of the feature I was a little bit tight but as the race went on the track came to us and we got quicker and quicker,” he said.

“But I don’t think I would’ve had anything for him if we got there.”

“It was a tough year and we didn’t get that bit of luck to claim the championship but Inglis has been great all year and fully deserving of the title and I wish him all the best for his recovery.”