Peter Morley has taken out the 2020 WA State Speed Series after winning the season finale at Wanneroo Raceway.
Heading into the round slightly ahead of the second placed Ray Ferrari and only able to attend for the morning sessions due to family reasons, the pressure had mounted on the long-time leader to claim the title.
However, the title race was spun on its head after Ferrari broke both ankles on the eve of the event and was forced to make a late withdrawal, meaning Morley only needed to get on track for one lap to pick up the series win.
Having won seven rounds already in 2020, there was no stopping the competitive Morley though as he ultimately sealed the title courtesy of his second and final lap of the day, where he comfortably recorded a 55.47 second lap of the circuit.
“It’s been a strange year but I am thrilled to have finished it the way that I did and admittedly, it’s been a fantastic year for my motorsport,” Morley said.
“Even though Ray wasn’t there, I didn’t want to let up because I still wanted to beat Cosi Sorgiovanni. It’s been really hard because the car is essentially 11-years-old and it’s due for a major overhaul, so it was great to give it a good send off.
“I only managed to get one lap in, but it seemed to be enough because that car is a weapon. I am really happy to have won the series.
“To be honest, I hated that I had to run off as quick as I did on Sunday, but personal circumstances didn’t allow me to stay for the whole event. I will say it now as I couldn’t do it then - a big thanks to all the officials for everything they have done all year for letting us go race.”
Morley’s closest competition came in the form of Sorgiovanni, who produced a day-high 18 laps, but couldn’t close in on the series leader, guiding his Dallara F3 to a 58.32 second lap time.
Finishing in third place behind the only two drivers to break the one minute barrier was Mazda RX-7 pilot Bradley Scrivener, who edged out John Webb in the Porsche 911 Carrera by just one second.
Rounding out the top five for the event was Jarrod Ferrari, who managed to pip the BMW M2 of Brett Morse in the FT Clubman on the final lap of the day.
Morley wasn’t the only one to benefit from the absence of a close rival, with Sorgiovanni’s runner-up finish leapfrogging him above Marcel Every in the outright standings to third place after the 2019 Series winner didn’t compete in December’s final round.
Following on from the final round, outgoing series organiser Steve Metlitzky was proud of those who helped get their season up and running in what proved a difficult year.
“I really wanted to thank the members of the series for their support. It’s been a challenging year,” Metlitzky said.
“I’m incredibly proud of the efforts of everyone who has been involved in the series and getting it up this year. We had a fantastic season and I am pleased as to how we did it.
“A big congratulations to Peter for his victory, Ray for competition and the rest of the competitors who attended the events and made the series possible.”
The WA State Speed Series will be holding a final presentation for the season in January, with a 2021 calendar likely to be revealed in the coming weeks.