New WA champion Kaiden Manders holds off veteran Ryan Farrell in close finish to win sprintcars show in Albany

Sprintcars made a dazzling return to Albany, as Kaiden Manders produced another sublime display to claim victory in the Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series in front of a huge crowd on Saturday night. Manders started from position three on the grid in the 30-lap feature race, quickly getting into second behind veteran Ryan Farrell. Farrell had earlier claimed pole position after a vintage display, returning to the 410 sprintcar ranks at Attwell Park Speedway. Manders took over the race lead on lap 12 and then had to fend off one last-ditch lunge from Farrell in the race the finish line. As the duo sped through the final lap, a slower lapped car presented a challenge on the last corner as Manders went up high and Farrell down low. The pair crossed the line side by side, Manders clinging on by 0.059secs in a brilliant end to a spectacular night of racing. Manders victory continues a brilliant run of form, having recently won the WA Sprintcar Title and on the same night claiming the John Day Speedcar Classic at the Perth Motorplex. Jason Kendrick, who started on the front row, enjoyed a strong night to finish in third spot while the top five was rounded out by Callum Williamson and Brad Maiolo. In the series standings, Williamson drew level with Dayne Kingshott after the latter endured a mixed venture to Albany. Kingshott was involved in a crash at the start of the final, getting tangled up with Ryan Lancaster. The series leader was able to restart but at the rear of the field and swiftly made his way through the field before crossing the line eighth to avoid a complete disaster. Lancaster failed to restart the final, allowing American Justin Whittall who was the reserve to gain a start. Maiolo was another to make up heaps of spots in the final, after starting from position 14 while Jack Williamson was sixth after lining up in 13th spot initially. Earlier Manders was the quickest car in qualifying, with Farrell and Jake Robinson topping their respective groups. Kodi Clayden claimed the opening heat before Kendrick took out heat two and Callum Williamson prevailed in heat three. Farrell and Kendrick won their respective dashes to put themselves on the front row for the final. Both Williamson and Kingshott are level on 870 points heading into the Boxing Day Bonanza at the Perth Motorplex.