TOOWOOMBA SPEEDWAY: GAME, SET AND MATCH FOR SEAN BLACK
Feature photo: …From left to right in the Queensland Super Sedan Championship, it’s Will Hockley (fifth), Todd Atkins (second), winner Sean Black, third-placed Joel Berkley and fourth man home in the state title, Trent Wilson.
By David Budden:
For Toowoomba’s Sean Black, there was never any doubt about the ultimate goal heading into last Saturday night’s (October 10) Queensland Super Sedan Championship.
Like every driver in the field, Black had his sights firmly set on standing at the top of the podium.
That’s exactly! He’s Queensland One for 2026/27.
He had been on the podium four times prior in Queensland titles but this was a career highlight, his first Queensland title win and to do it on home soil at Hi-Tec-Oils Toowoomba Speedway was extra special.
It was a gruelling 40 lap affair with numerous restarts and hard fought battles through the entire race.
The focus was just as much on getting through cleanly. It was a good weekend for Sean all round, from the moment the car rolled out onto the track for heat one he was on the pace winning his first heat, in the subsequent heats finishing fourth and second. He qualified out of position three for the feature race alongside Dylan Barrow. Zac Brims started on the front row alongside defending Queensland Champion Brad Pascoe. Joel Burkley started from position five alongside the man who has won a record number of Queensland Titles, Matt Pascoe, with eight throughout his career.
When the race finally got going and they all settled into a rhythm, the top six were starting to move around on a very challenging track especially through turns one and two. Black’s car looked the better on entry and exit. The racing between Joel Berkley, Zac Brims, Todd Atkins and Brad Pascoe was exceptional and with Black in that company, he had the crowd wanting more. Although there wasn’t much racing room left on numerous occasions and the mutual respect shown is worthy of mention.
Considering the 20 car field was stacked with former state and national champions, this year’s state title was always going to be hard to win and whoever won it was going to have to drive exceptionally well.
It was a solid drive from Black who was determined not to let this one get away hitting his marks lap after lap.
In the final few laps Black had moved to second and was closing in on race leader Zack Brims; his race would come to an unfortunate end when the wheel centre broke in those closing laps bringing on the yellows once again.
Black’s starts were timed to perfection throughout the race. Berkley and Atkins had a couple of big looks down the inside on occasions, however Black had the top racing line worked out and after a four lap sprint to the chequered flag and 40 consistent laps Sean Black etched his way into the record books winning his first Queensland title.
He was followed to the finish line by Todd Atkins who was earlier sent to the rear of the field. He charged back through the field to finish a well deserved second. Joel Berkley was third followed by Trent Wilson and Will Hockley to round out the top five.
Winning his first Queensland Super Sedan Championship brought a flood of emotion. Black thanked a hard working team and those who support this racing. He was quick to acknowledge the people who have made his success possible. “If it wasn’t for mum giving me the opportunity to do all this, I wouldn’t be standing here now,” he said. This win has been a long time coming for the family team based just outside of Toowoomba.
Consistency and good preparation is proof that good things come to those who quietly go about doing what they enjoy – in this case, racing a Super Sedan. Congratulations to the Sean Black Racing Team on a well deserved win. The SBR Team now turn their attention to Maryborough on October 24 for Round 2 of the McCosker Super Sedan Series.
Last week it was about the preparation, this week the celebration. The Sean Black Racing Team would like to thank the following for their valued support for their 2026/27 racing schedule
– Steering and Suspension Warehouse
– Flair Built Homes
– Hosed Building And Gutter
– L Cleaning Service
– Range Star Service Centre
– Toowoomba Steering and Suspension
– Ian Boettcher Race Parts
– LJ Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
– GW Racing
– Linmac Automotive and Air Conditioning
– Kempy Race Pipes
– Sweet Chassis
– Sam’s Corner Kingsthorpe
– Page Race Engines
– DTS Signs
– TB Media House
– De Pool Shop
– Terry Austin Crash Repairs
– Charlton Tyre Service
OCTOBER 17:
Hi-Tec-Oils Toowoomba Speedway returns next Saturday night, October 17 for Men’s Mental Health Night featuring Round 5 of the Queensland Speedway Spares Ultimate Sprintcar Championship and a full support program consisting of 360-LS Sprintcars, AMCA Nationals Compacts Speedcars, Lightning Sprints and Junior Formula 500s.
Help us ‘black out’ the event and shine a light on Men’s Mental Health. Starting conversations and being kind will save lives!
AUSTRALIAN SPRINTCAR CHAMPIONSHIP:
We are just a few weeks away from the Australian Sprintcar Title, so get your tickets and accommodation now to avoid disappointment. Dates are from November 18 to 21.
QUICK RESULTS – 10 OCT
SUPER SEDANS – QLD TITLE
1. Sean Black Q26
2. Todd Atkins Q36
3. Joel Berkley A1
4. Trent Wilson T44
5. Will Hockley Q17
** New lap record – Zac Brims N29 12.791 sec
PRODUCTION SEDANS
1. Jye O’Brien SC99
2. Murray Dioth CR18
3. Jeff Peacock C55
** New lap record – Matthew Layton CR81 15.584 sec
STREET STOCKS
1. Ben Langton CR96
2. Darren Ciesiolka SB3
3. Aaron Paul CR46
FORMULA 500s
1. Cody Metcalfe NQ18
2. Amanda Chaffey SQ24 Set quick time 12.423
3. Boyd Chaffey SQ4
JUNIOR FORMULA 500s
1. Carter Cosgrove Q7
2. Zack Hilder Q66
3. Liam Campbell Q22
JUNIOR SEDAN TOP STARS
1. Lawson Clarke WA1
2. Lachie Burke A1
3. Baxter Attard BB79
** New lap record – Lawson Clarke WA1 16.113 sec
JUNIOR SEDAN NEW STARS
1. Alijah Raymont CR28
2. Brodie Hamilton B11
3. Daytona Simpson G97
