The Western Australian CAMS State Speed Event Series has held its first round for 2019 as Luke Prior started the season on a high taking out the Jack’s Hillclimb season opener.

Competing against more than 30 drivers across four runs, the 2004 Westfield SEW pilot waited until his final run of the day  to secure the victory, posting an impressive time of 52.75 seconds

It was the perfect run from Prior who had been unable to top the charts in the lead up to his final run and needing something special, he delivered, crossing the line more than one second faster than his previous best time.

Prior’s victory came at the expense of then-leader Stephen Dougherty who had posted the two fastest times in his opening three runs to have a stronghold over the rest of the competition. 

Unfortunately on his final run of the day, the 1969 BMW 2002 driver was unable to maintain his lead, falling short of Prior by just under two tenths of second.

It was an incredible ending to the top spot battle as both Prior and Dougherty were the only two drivers to break the 53-second bracket throughout the course of the day. 

Rounding out the podium was Rick Grigsby and his 1989 Mazda MX5, while Ryhan Shapkaris’s second run of the day was enough to seal outright fourth and Raymond Ferrari needed only one run to secure a top-five finish.

Click here for the outright results from Jack’s Hillclimb.

Despite not taking the outright victory, Shapkaris, Grigsby and Dougherty all managed to secure class victories, leaving the drivers with some confidence ahead of the next round.

With the series running up to 15 speed events across the year, the next round of the series will be a sprint at Collie Motorplex on Saturday 16 March.  

To register in the Western Australian CAMS State Speed Event Series, click here.