Paddy Ward (Castrol Mustang) has taken out the inaugural “Ultra Steel Gold Cup” at Moama's Heartland Raceway on Saturday night. Incorporating the 4th round of the VSSA series it was the New South Welshmen that claimed all three podium spots with Tony Barklimore (Parkes Toyota Dodge) and Lachlan Onley (Delco Mustang) coming in at 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

The first heat saw Mike Burke (Bell Distributors Grand Prix) and Danny Amato (Australian Racing Products Pontiac) on the front row, but a tight set up resulted in Amato pushing high in turn 1 and letting through Leeton hard charger Wayne Aylett (Ace Smash Repairs Monaro) through to take the lead coming from position 4 with James Petch (CRT Rural Supplies Mustang) pushing past Burke for 2nd spot and Barklimore coming from 6th to finish 3rd. Wayne Belk (Belkblast Intrepid) took the lead from Brad Wicks (Wicks Transport Falcon) early in the second heat with both Onley and Lucas Roberts (Ultra Enterprises Pontiac) immediately attempting to pass on the highline  only to see Roberts hit a greasy patch in turns 3 – 4 and drop back to 5th place.

Ceasing the opportunity, Wicks powered by Belk on the high side off turn 2 to take the lead where he was able to finish. With Roberts passing back through the field firstly around Ward and Onley and then under Belk to take second despite suffering similar tuning problems  that plagued him from the previous round at Nyora last weekend. Belk held onto 3rd ahead of Onley.
The second round of heats saw Rodney Bakes (JP Automotive Pontiac) lead Ward after starting on the outside front row.  Petch moved from 7th into 4th position behind Aylett and this is the way they finished.  Bakes for the win with Ward suffering from loss of rear brakes making it home in 2nd and Aylett hanging on for 3rd.

Heat 2B Tasmanian Mick Bagorski (Bagorski Mobile Mechanic Dodge) started pole only to suffer fuel problems and drop back through the field and let Barklimore take the lead with current series champion Craig Lappin (Skilled Grand Prix ) slotting into 2nd and Wicks coming from 6th on the grid passing Onley who had a deflating left rear tyre for 3rd.  Lappin who had changed diff gears from the first round of heats was much improved but unable to get to Barklimore and settled for 2nd with Wicks finishing 3rd with his motor suffering continued temperature problems.
A start to finish run by Lappin kicked of the third round of heats with a tight battle between Petch and Barklimore saw the young Victorian win out of 2nd and after a good start a loose set up saw Barklimore slip back to 4th with the consistent Wicks sneaking through for 3rd.
The last heat of the evening seen Roberts as a non starter with engine problems ending his night.  Once again it was the pole sitter who led from start to finish with Lionel West (Daylesford News and Lotto Monaro) copying the effort of Lappin in the previous heat by taking the win.  Burke moved up from 4th position to take 2nd with Andrew Katz (Fireguard Plumbing Camaro) having an impressive run to take 3rd in from Bakes, Onley and Amato who was continuing his battle with a tight race car.
 
Onto the pole shuffle for the top 6, and for the 2nd round in a row it was Petch who was the big mover.  After winning the first round against Bakes then taking to the outside to dispose of Lappin, Aylett had showed his hand with Petch choosing the outside for their battle for 3rd and 4th.  After an even start Petch stuck to the high line to emerge from turn 2 in front of Aylett and from there he took the win.  This ploy also served him well against Barklimore which put the two young guns of Wicks and Petch against each other for the race for pole.  Wicks chose the outside line but got a bit high where the track was a bit more greasy and to not find the traction needed from the start.  This resulted in Petch taking the win and pole for the nights final.
This made the starting order for the final Petch, Wicks, Barklimore, Aylett, Lappin, Bakes, Burke, West, Ward, Onley, Belk, Katz, George Napier (Hollywood Enterprises Intrepid) and Amato, with Roberts and Bagorski both non starters.

Petch set a furious pace from the start of the final but was chased hard by Wicks and Barklimore then Aylett.  The first yellow was brought on when Onley and West made contact resulting in West hitting the turn 3 fence hard ending his night.  On the restart Petch pulled away again gaining a commanding lead not looking like being headed at any stage.  Barklimore's persistence on Wicks allowed him to move into second but unable to shake the falcon driver.  While continuing to lead Petch was dealt a cruel hand when a power steering hose let go and seeing smoke he pulled infield to seek the assistance of the fire crew for a resulting minor fire.  This ended the chances of Petch achieving what was looking like a certain maiden feature win.  With the resulting yellow Aylett was alerted to a flat RHF tyre and he too did not resume.  This left Barklimore in the lead in a battle with Wicks.  Belk was the next to head in field with front-end damage from contact with another car and now Ward had moved to third with Onley, Burke, Bakes, Amato, Lappin, Napier and Katz rounding out the runners. After dust was brought up on the infield at the turn 4 exit visibility was pour and Bakes slowed showing caution and lack of judgment saw the leader Barklimore hit the back of Bakes bending front panels up, restricting the leaders view.  Soon after a yellow was called for debri on the track.  In the stoppage Wicks pulled infield to be assessed by officials and was to withdraw with a buckled right front rim and damage to a steering knuckle also out was Katz with a pivot bolt coming out of the throttle assembly.  This allowed the fast finishing Ward to move into 2nd followed by Onley and Burke.  Restricted in vision Barklimore tried valiantly to hold off Ward eventually pushing up track allowing Ward to pass inside for the lead.  Shortly after Ward greeted the checked flag from Barklimore, Onley, Burke, Bake, Amato, Lappin (who fought power steering problems after losing a belt on lap 4) and Napier.

Happy with the win Paddy showed no sign of a rumoured retirement plans, although wife Lyn was heard to mention "Pensioner Paddy" in after event activities again fueling rumours.  We will have to see. 

In the near future however Paddy and all other drivers are looking forward to the next round of the VSSA series at Leeton this Saturday night 26th April.