Sport
7 February, 2024
Simpson breaks drought in VMPA
Horsham Modified Sedan driver Daniel Simpson has claimed the chequered flag in Round Six of the VMPA, held at Ballarat's Redline Raceway last weekend.
It's been a long time between success for the owner of Horsham Autoworks, with his last feature win for the series in 2016.
It was an all-Horsham front row for the feature start with Simpson earning Pole Position through the Pole Shuffle, lining up alongside Matt Gerlach, also Horsham born and raised, but now living in Bannockburn.
Gerlach had earlier in the night won both his heat races, while Simpson won his first hit out before finishing second in his next race.
During the 24 lap A Main, which was cut down from 30 laps due to a number of restarts and constraints with time, Simpson dropped as far back as third, but gained the lead with eight laps to go, holding on the for win.
For Gerlach, he initially led the race, before experiencing fuel pressure issues and eventually being forced infield.
Gerlach wasn't completely disappointed though, and said he enjoyed being able to watch Simpson, his fellow Horsham club member, get the win.
For Simpson, the feature win came as a "massive relief" and reward for the hard work from his team.
Simpson said the track caught drivers a bit off guard, with the unusually hot Ballarat weather on Saturday meaning the surface was dry and dusty, but the crew got the track right once the sun set.
"We had a very uneventful night and the car was working well from the first lap," he admitted.
With just one round of the VMPA to go, Simpson is closing in on points for the Series, ensuring the final hit out at Rushworth on April 27 will be an exciting meeting.