Visiting US racer Devin Moran is the 2011/12 NSW Late Model Champion after a polished display of driving at Lucas Oil Lismore Speedway (NSW) Saturday January 14. It was a dominating display by the young racer, who hardly put a wheel wrong all night.

A victory, and two third place finishes in the Heats, moved Moran into the top eight qualifiers for the A Main. The top eight racers then ran against the clock to determine the starting order for the 30 lap Championship decider with Moran topping the charts to earn pole position. Steve Francis (2), Aussie Champ Brad Blake, Ben Nicastri, and David Robertson also secured Heat victories.

In the A Main Moran jumped away well to set up a small buffer to the battle behind. Steve Francis was on the move from position four, quickly rounding up Kev Stow, and making a great outside pass on Blair Granger to move into 2nd.

With five laps down Brad Blake was also making headway, and moved into position three. Several backmarkers then tangled, with the race leader almost becoming a casualty as he set about trying to find a way through the traffic.

As luck would have it, the yellow light was just what Moran needed, as it presented him with a clear track at the restart.

When the green flag was unfurled again Blake tried to force his way past Francis, but the veteran US racer was having none of it. Granger, and the defending NSW Champ, Nathan Disney, were also involved in a close scrap for the next two positions. Several laps later Disney and Kev Stow came together, with Disney going rear of field.

Moran continued to hug the pole line, looking smooth and consistent, as Francis gave chase using the high side of the track, that was by now starting to go dry slick. Blake was still third, while Granger had Darryl Grimson as close company. Francis headed infield with power steering issues just as Blake started to make a charge, reeling in Moran, and going topside to get a brief smell of the lead before the yellows came on again.

The running order with 10 to go was : Moran, Blake, Grimson (looking smooth and sharp), Granger, Stow, and Matt Ingrey, making his way forward from deep in the pack. One lap later Disney, who had been charging through the backmarkers, pulled infield with car issues, to be quickly joined by Jake Hawkins and Aaron van Zeeland. As the laps wound down Moran kept his composure, and managed to establish a small break back to Blake, who had done the same to Grimson.

When the chequered flag fell it was a very happy young racer who performed several victory donuts on the infield in celebration. After the race Moran was quick to praise the generosity of the Nicastri family in providing him with top quality equipment for his East Coast campaign, and stated how much he was enjoying his time downunder. In the pits after the race he was swamped by young fans seeking autographs and photos with the new champ.