Peter Denton	Racing History	Australian Title
Bagot NT Racing	Current restored car

Australian Champion 1969

Driving up high against the wall.

Gruelling race at speedway

By Chris Butler 1968-69

Sixteen of the fastest super modifieds in Australia roared off to a start in the national title at Rowley Park last night only six completed the 25 laps. The race was one of the most grueling modified races seen here this season and an unfortunate finish for a national championship. 1 SA star Peter Denton, driving a Corvette, won the title after all but one of the interstate entries had retired with other top SA drivers during varying stages of the race. Favourite for the title, Bill Wigzell, SA's foremost driver, had the shortest drive of the night after hitting the fence on the first lap and damaging his car, forcing him to withdraw. Cars slowly began dropping out as the field thundered around the track, at times four and five wide.

Last year's winner, Phil Herreen, after an impressive win in the match race earlier in the night, was the next major driver to fall with mechanical trouble (ignition coil failure). WA champion Alf Barbagallo at that stage seemed certain to take the title, but he too fell victim to mechanical trouble and withdrew.

With three laps to go and Denton in the lead, Ray Skipper, driving a hard race and spinning out twice in the race, closed up on the leader. He seemed certain to pass Denton but with two laps left he spun once more and retired. Denton crossed the line comfortably from Ron Smith of Victoria and John Moyle of SA.

Wigzell dominated the speedcar section again this week with three firsts from three starts.
Details
Speedcars - Hep. div. 1 D. Lambert; M. Hoffman; Silvy. 2;56.8. Div. 2 - B. Wigzell; B. Dane; D. Freeman 2:54.4. Stars scratch Wigzell, J Braendler; B. Curnow, 2:49:8: Feature - Wigzell; Lambert; Silvy. 6:02.6.
Solos Stars scr. - G Middleton; C. Monk; L. Hodgson. 51 6. Novice hep. - R. Snider; P. Paule; R. Eastham-1:16,6. Hep heat 1 - K. Amunderson; Paule; G. Keane. 1:16. Heat 2 R. Snider; B. Smith; R. Lovell. 1:15.2. Finals - Paule; Amundson; Keane1:14.6.
Consolation hep- R Langtios D. Prettijohn Hedgson 1:13.2.
Feature Prettijohn: Hodgeson: Monk1:13:2

Sidecar Qualification hcp. - C Murphy G. Thornton; D. Reid. 1:22 'Hep. heat 1 - L. . Burham. R Mitchell; Murphy. ; 1:20 Heat 2- Reid; J. Chapple Fleming 1:18.8. Final Reid Burman: Chappie. 1:18.
Super Modifieds - Stars' Scratch - P. Denton: R. Skipper; R. Smith (Vic). 1:42. Match-P. Herreen, B Wigzell A. Barbagallo. .(WA). 1:44.
Consolation Handicap. Linke J. Moyle, R. Christie. 2:27 6
Aust. Champs. - P. Denton, R. Smith (Vic), J. Moyle. 1:42.6