Robbie Farr on his way to yet another victory in 2009/10. Farr will be shooting for five wins from five starts this season when the Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Championship begins in Brisbane on Saturday night. (Photo: Gary Reid)
Kerry Madsen to Contest the Majority of the Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Championship
Former Australian Sprintcar Champion Kerry Madesn will contest the majority of the Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars championship driving for two teams.
Madsen will line up for Round 1 in Todd Wanless ABC Auto Gear Racing #Q2 before returning to the 92.9 Kendrick Racing Team for Speedweek.
“Kerry is signed to Geoff Kendrick and it is only because Geoff and I are mates that he can drive my car this weekend. He won the Queensland Speedway Spares round at Brisbane for me in October while I was in testing Silver Crown car in America. He is just so adaptable. I always knew Kerry was a good driver but when I saw him start out of five at the Belleville high banks (in America) and go to the top and drive away from the field, I knew he was one of the best in Australia,” said Wanless.
For the record it was the first time Wanless raced a Silver Crown car on the 1 mile paved Phoenix International Raceway, putting in an excellent performance. He qualified 19th and finished the 100 lap race 13th out of 22 cars. The 34th Copper World Classic was held on the same weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil.
Meanwhile the 92.9 Kendrick Racing team has also tasted victory with Madsen so far this season in Western Australia and is preparing to hit the road on Boxing Day for a six-week tour of duty taking in the majority of the Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars championship and other blue ribbon events. Madsen will drive along side third-year racer Jason Kendrick, providing a balance of youth and experience.
“I was in America looking for a driver to bring out and whilst doing that Buzzy (Kim Buswell) told me Kerry (Madsen) was looking for a ride. So he had Kerry call me and we spoke at length several times about putting together a deal that was amicable for both of us to present the most competitive package possible. I have said this before and I will say it again, Kerry is the best Australian driver so with a great driver and good team we should be more than competitive.
“We have a B-Double semi trailer with 4 complete cars from front to back with Kendrick engines of course plus another 4 engines and all the spares you need to go motor racing. We know what it takes and we will give it our best crack,” stated Kendrick.
Madsen began the American season on the famous World of Outlaws trail however the US recession caught up with the team and his car owner decided to race closer to his home base. “We mainly stayed around Knoxville and traveled when we could. We did okay, missing 4 shows but still finished 6th in points at Knoxville with 1 win. I also picked up a win at Spoon River and Bellville. That one was cool, we won by half a lap from Tmac (Terry McCarl) and the cushion moved up pretty high. I didn’t lift from the throttle for 30 laps,” said Madsen.
Following a broken ankle sustained while playing softball Madsen was unable to contest the prestigious Knoxville Nationals and with a tired motor the rest of the season went down hill from there, however he is excited about driving in Australia. "Geoff and I started talking after we pulled out of the Outlaws deal and things just fell into place from there," explained Madsen. "I have been impressed with everything so far. Geoff is a lot like me in that he just wants to go racing and he wants to win. No one puts more pressure on me winning than I do myself so we should work out pretty well together. We will be in WA for 2 months before we hit east coast so it should give us time to be prepared for all of Australia's big races,” said Masden.
The Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars championship starts tomorrow night at the Titian Garages Brisbane International Speedway with Madsen confident of beating Australia’s best drivers including defending champion Brooke Tatnell who also raced in America this winter.
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Tatnell Leads Stellar Field For Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Opener
The nation's finest Sprintcar drivers will battle for opening round honours when the 2009/10 Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Championship kicks off at Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway tomorrow night (November 21)
Seven time and defending series champion Brooke Tatnell leads a stellar field of racers heading to Brisbane, which includes no less than five Australian Champions. Tatnell flew in from America on Wednesday and although he is still recovering from a horrendous injury to his left leg sustained when a driveline shattered his tibular and fibular at the Port Royal Speedway in Pennsylvania, he wants to make it clear that he has the fire in his belly and anyone doubting his determination to win his eighth PWWSS crown is going to be bitterly disappointed.
“I’m not going to kid you and say that this injury hasn’t hurt me more than when I broke my back and neck a few years ago,” said Tatnell “but I’ve definitely got a ‘a man on a mission’ attitude and anyone that is doubting us because I’ve been out injured should think again.”
Team owner Shane Krikke backed up Tatnell’s claims by adding, “The team is better prepared this year than any other. We’ve got 3 great Maxwill motors on hand along with 3 complete Cool cars and more spares than you could imagine. The crew guys are pumped and now we just need to hit the track and prove yet again that we are a championship contending team.” Krikke MotorSport are hoping for a hat-trick this season, something that has only ever been achieved once in the 22 year history of the elite Sprintcar series.
2004 Australian Sprintcar Champion Robbie Farr may represent one of Tatnell's biggest challengers. Farr has already claimed four feature race wins this season at the Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway in Sydney and would sorely like to win the championship after coming second 4 times.
Max Dumesny may be the elder statesman of Sprintcar racing in this country but with age and experience comes wisdom. Max, a seven time Series Champion and three-time National Champion, still has the speed and desire to compete at the highest level and a record breaking eighth title would raise his already lofty status to a new level.
Kerry Madsen and Todd Wanless complete the list of Australian Title winners nominated for the opening round. Madsen, the 2003 winner, took out Round 3 of the local Queensland Speedway Spares series driving for Wanless in October.
Bryan Mann, Peter Lack and James McFadden will represent Queensland as contracted drivers and all have wins to their credit so far this season. McFadden is hoping to make the most of the championship staring in his home state. “Being on the PWWSS championship is all about being consistent night in night out and if I want to be a serious threat then I need to make that happen. I have the very best equipment under me thanks to the support of my car owner Scott Milling. If I can make a good start to the opening rounds then hopefully we can press forward and prove that we are going to be a serious top three contender.”
South Australian duo Trevor Green and Ricky Maiolo are also keen to impress. Last season Maiolo managed to secure a career best fifth overall in the grueling series and he is hoping to replicate that feat again this summer despite the increased competition. “If we can finish in the top half dozen or so this year I will be extremely happy. To get inside the top five again would be like winning the whole thing. We only have a small team and we basically do this for a bit of fun. There are a lot of great teams and drivers racing the whole schedule so the racing this year will be extremely tough,” said Maiolo.
PWWSS Rookies Steve Caunt (NSW) and Ryan Farrell (WA) will be exciting to watch, as will Victorian domiciled Tasmanian David Murcott and hard charger Danny Reidy (NT). Although classed as a Rookie on the series Farrell has six Western Australian Sprintcar Titles to his credit and is a quick study. “Whenever I go to a new track I catch on pretty quick and picking it up quick is all a part of the game. I would like to get two or three wins but if I got four or five it would be even better,” said a confident Farrell.
The traveling troupe will return to the Archerfield venue for Round 9 and the $20,000 to win, fifty-lap Titan Garages Australian Sprintcar Open held over two nights on January 8/9. Recently crowned four-time World Of Outlaws Sprintcar Champion Donny Schatz from Fargo, North Dakota has confirmed he will be in Brisbane to defend his Open Title.
34 cars are expected for the opening round so hold on tight for the greatest show in speedway.
Event Information
Date: Saturday November 21 2009
Venue: Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway (BIS)
Location: 63 Colebard Street West, Archerfield, Queensland
Adults: $35.00
Students & Pensioners (with Photo ID): $28.00
Children: 13 - 15 yrs: $15.00, Children: 3 - 12 yrs: $10.00 Family Passes: $80.00 (2 adults + 2 children 12yrs or under)
Pit gates open 2:30pm, main gates 3:30pm
Early racing from approx. 5:00pm, main program from 6:00pm.
Parking is available at the track for $3.00
Racing finishes by 10.30pm
Programmed events include: 410ci Sprintcars, V8 Dirt Modifieds, Fireworks
General admission and pit gate tickets for the event are only available at the Speedway on race day
Race day information, including track weather updates, is available by calling the Speedway Infoline on (07) 3277 7745
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Is Brooke Tatnell The Man To End Robbie Farr's Win Streak?
One is the defending Champion and owns the record for the most World Series A-Main event wins of all time; the other is the hottest driver in the country right now with four consecutive A-Main victories to his name. The questions that need to be asked are these - is Brooke Tatnell the man to put a stop to Robbie Farr's extraordinary win streak? Or will another driver rise above them both and win the opening Round of the Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Championship this Saturday night at Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway?
Tatnell heads to Brisbane chasing a record eighth Series Championship crown after a well documented and tough year in the United States that included a major leg injury that kept him out of racing for six weeks. Farr, while a prolific winner in World Series events through the years, is still chasing that elusive first Championship title. Both drivers will be out to gain an early advantage on their rivals by winning this weekend, and both will start as red hot favourites in the first World Series event of the season.
But the World Series opener will be about more than just two drivers, and the nominations list is full of potential winners.
Looking at the list it's hard to get away from the fact there is at least a dozen to fifteen drivers that could stand on the top step of the podium on Saturday night including, in no particular order: Max Dumesny, Kerry Madsen, Trevor Green, James McFadden, David Murcott, Andrew Scheuerle, Ryan Farrell, Todd Wanless, Bryan Mann, Matthew Reed, Danny Reidy, Peter Lack, Cameron Gessner, Pete Thorley and Darren Jensen. Talk about a tough field!
For Brisbane fans, Saturday night's event is the first of two opportunities to see the World Series stars in action this season at Brisbane International Speedway, with Round 10 of the Series being held in conjunction with the Titan Garages Australian Sprintcar Open over two nights of un-missable action on January 8/9. Paying $20,000 to win, the fifty lap Open will be held just days after the inaugural running of the Capalaba Wreckers Sprintcar Cup which itself will pay a cool $10K to the winner.
With thirty grand on offer to win both events and with the memory of winning the 2009 Open after lapping the entire field - a race many punters believe to be greatest Sprintcar Feature ever seen at BIS - there's little wonder four time World Of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz has a big circle around those dates on his calendar!
Sprintcar fans around the country will be divided as to who they think can and will win Round 1 of the Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcar Championship. On paper, it has to be one of the most competitive field of drivers for some time. On the track, only one of them can claim victory. By 10:30pm on Saturday night, we'll all know who that one driver is.
Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Round 1 - Nominations: Allan Woods, Andrew Scheuerle, Anthony Lambert, Brett Thomas, Brooke Tatnell, Bryan Mann, Cameron Gessner, Cap Henry, Clem Hoffmans, Craig Stevenson, Danny Reidy, Darren Jensen, David Muir, David Murcott, Grant Anderson, James McFadden, Jason Bottin, Kerry Madsen, Kevin Titman, Matthew Butler, Matthew Reed, Max Dumesny, Paul Morris, Paul Rooks, Peter Lack, Peter Thorley, Richard Morgan, Ricky Maiolo, Robbie Farr, Rod Wilson, Ryan Farrell, Steve Caunt, Todd Wanless, Trevor Green.
Event Information:
Date: Saturday November 21 2009
Venue: Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway (BIS)
Location: 63 Colebard Street West, Archerfield, Queensland
Adults: $35.00
Students & Pensioners (with Photo ID): $28.00
Children: 13 - 15 yrs: $15.00, Children: 3 - 12 yrs: $10.00 Family Passes: $80.00 (2 adults + 2 children 12yrs or under)
Pit gates open 2:30pm, main gates 3:30pm.
Early racing from approx. 5:00pm, main program from 6:00pm.
Parking is available at the track for $3.00. Racing finishes by 10.30pm.
Programmed events include: 410ci Sprintcars, V8 Dirt Modifieds, Fireworks
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Anderson Granted Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Ride
17/11/2009 11:06:49 PM ... N A S R National Office
Albury Sprintcar driver Grant Anderson will join this year’s Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars championship following his signing by the Queensland-based Dave Horal Motorsport team to compete in the 14-round competition.
“The offer came out of the blue with about four or five weeks before the first round so it is all go,” Anderson said.
Anderson signed up to contest the entire schedule in 2003/04 but empted his wallet before the return to Brisbane so the chance to drive for a car owner is ‘the opportunity of a lifetime.’
The 28-year-old will drive car number Q83 against the cream of Australian and American Sprintcar drivers. “Dave (Horal) has been involved in the sport for a long time but this is the first time he has put together a team. I drove one of his chassis two seasons ago and finished second and we have remained friends ever since. The signing came about because of that result plus my strong season last year and obviously Dave has been keeping an eye on me,” explained Anderson.
Anderson is free to race his family car outside of his Horal Motorsport commitments so has the chance to race in 40 to 45 shows this season rather than the 20-25 his budget usually allows. Also he is also fortunate enough to carry his personal sponsors on the new car, which will be seen on the free to air television coverage on One HD – giving them and the sport much greater exposure.
“It’s more racing, more experience and just a win win situation for me but its going to be a tough year because the first round is just around the corner so Dave and his crew chief Scott Inglis will be working flat out getting the car ready. I would love to win a round but not many people can say they have so we will just get started and take it as it comes. We have no false illusions and our main goal will be to make the show and go from there,” said Anderson.
The number of drivers committing to the entire series continues to grow beyond the 13 contracted teams due no doubt to the improved management structure and One HD television coverage.
2009/10 Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcar Schedule
Saturday November 21 Round 1 Brisbane International Speedway QLD
Saturday November 28 Round 2 Charlton Raceway, Toowoomba QLD
Saturday December 5 Round 3 Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway, Sydney
NSW SPEEDWEEK
Saturday December 26 Round 4 Truckworks Speedway City, Adelaide SA
Sunday December 27 Round 5 Murray Bridge Speedway SA
Monday December 28 Round 6 Borderline Speedway, Mount Gambier SA
Wednesday December 30 Round 7 Avalon Raceway, Geelong VIC Friday
January 1 Round 8 Sungold Stadium Premier Speedway, Warrnambool VIC
Friday/Saturday January 8/9 Round 9 Brisbane International Speedway
QLD Sunday January 10 Round 10 Charlton Raceway, Toowoomba QLD
Friday/Saturday January 15/16 Round 11 Tyrepower Parramatta City
Raceway, Sydney NSW Tuesday January 26 Round 12 Sungold Stadium
Premier Speedway, Warrnambool VIC Wednesday February 3 Round 13
Kalgoorlie International Speedway WA
GRAND FINAL
Friday/Saturday February 5/6 Round 14 Perth Motorplex WA
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SMITH TAKES OUT WA SOUTH-WEST CUP SERIES ROUND ONE
Vin Smith has continued on with his outstanding start to the WA V8 Dirt Modified season by ending the evening at Bunbury City Speedway on 14th November amassing the required tally of points to capture round one of the Western Australian South-West Cup series.
Driving the “READBILT” racer, Smith took the honours in the first heat after starting from position two and continued on to round out the evening by finishing second to Peter MacPherson in heat three.
Heat two was declared a non event after the starter elected to release the field prior to all drivers being in their allotted starting positions.
The feature event for the evening was abandoned as with a very high division and car count at the newly resurfaced circuit, time constraints pushed the programme to the brink of the midnight hour and it was not feasible to expect spectators to stay on until the early hours of the morning. This sentiment was supported by the drivers and crews as with an early start time of 5.30pm in the afternoon it certainly would have shaped up to be a long encounter.
Smith powered to the front in Heat 1 and was never headed although the threat from behind was shortlived by an overheating Peter MacPherson outfit which was forced infield on lap 3. Second generation rookie Matt Kennedy (son of Norm) made a last minute passing manouver on Greg McKay in the back straight on the last occasion to post a first up second at his first race start from McKay finishing third.
As stated earlier heat two was declared a non-event.
Heat three saw McKay line up on pole from Nigel Smith out of two, Vin Smith from three, MacPherson from four and Matt Kennedy from five.
At the green, MacPherson eclipsed the two front row aspirants and was clearly in the lead by turn two from N Smith, McKay, V Smith and Kennedy.
MacPherson showed them a clean set of plates as he had the Troyer chassis working hard on the newly high banked circuit. V Smith tried the catch up job on him after passing both McKay and N Smith but the 33 rocket was firing as he proceeded to lap all but the second placegetter V Smith. MacPherson crossed the finish line after 8 laps in front from V Smith, McKay, Kennedy and N Smith.
Results:
Heat One: V Smith, M Kennedy, G McKay, N Smith DNF, P MacPherson DNF.
Heat Two: Non Event
Heat Three: P MacPherson, V Smith, G McKay, M Kennedy, N Smith.
Final Points: V Smith 18, G McKay 14, M Kennedy 14, P MacPherson 10, N Smith 7.
South-West Cup Series Round One: Vin Smith 36pts, Greg McKay 25.5pts, Matt Kennedy 25.5pts, Peter MacPherson 17 points, Nigel Smith 13 pts..
South-West Cup Series Progressive Tally: Vin Smith 36pts, Greg McKay 25.5pts, Matt Kennedy 25.5pts, Peter MacPherson 17 points, Nigel Smith 13 pts..
(All drivers must drop one round of points from the six round series)
Round Two South-West Cup Series: Margaret River Speedway: Saturday 12th December, 2009.
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AMERICAN DAVEY RAY HEADLINES THE SSS ‘GT’ TRIBUTE AT AVALON RACEWAY
MEDIA RELEASE – AVALON RACEWAY, 21/11/09
American star Davey Ray will make a rare appearance at Avalon Raceway this Saturday night, November 21, when he tackles Australia’s finest Speedcar exponents on round 3 of the Speedcar Super Series. A strong field of interstate drivers will be keen to record a strong result in preparation for February’s Australian Speedcar Title, also to be held at the Lara venue. The night of Speedcar action will also be a fitting tribute to a legend in Australian speedway circles, the late great George Tatnell.
Joining the popular Speedcars on the program will be a classy lineup of V8 powered Super Sedans including former national champion Mick Nicola while the ever popular Figure 8 event will cap what promises to be an action packed night of family entertainment.
All eyes however are on Ray, a native of Davenport, Iowa and a two-time winner of the Australian Speedcar title. Victories in 2006 and then again in 2008 ensure this celebrated third generation racer will be the man to beat this Saturday night at Avalon Raceway. Hot on the heels of a $12,000 win in Perth recently, Ray is one of the early favorites for this weekends event however the field boasts a wealth of talent.
"We’ve already won the title (Australian Speedcar Title) a couple of times and we won the biggest paying race in Australia a couple of weeks ago," said the smooth talking American from his Sydney base. "So now we are going to pick at them a little bit more and maybe try to take out some of the SSS rounds."
Entering it’s third round, the Speedcar Super Series headlines Saturday night’s action with early round winners among the confirmed starters. Sydney’s Nathan Smee won round 1 in Brisbane while fellow New South Welshman Troy Jenkins took the line honours in Murray Bridge last weekend.
"The competition has always been intense in the Speedcar division and the lineup for this years series is nothing short of spectacular," beamed series director Ken Jenkins.
"We have drivers from all over the country who have the skills and equipment to win any SSS round, let alone the entire championship."
Defending series champ Mark Brown returns to the venue where he has enjoyed enormous success in recent seasons. West Australian rival Dene McAllan will also be keen to climb the catch fence to celebrate victory as he did following his win in the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix a few seasons ago. Livewire Scott Glazebrook will also be one to watch as will Queenslander Grant Draney and West Australian veteran Keith Giles. Local hopes will rest with former series regular Peter Ghent while last start feature winner at Avalon Raceway Travis Mills will also be keen to record a good finish against the best in the business.
Nicola heads the Super Sedan nominations that nears 20 cars while young guns Lucas Roberts and Ash Bergmeier will be keen to impress before the National Super Sedan Series comes to Avalon Raceway in January. As always the Figure 8 event provides plenty of excitement where anything goes and it usually ends with a spectacular result.
Public gates open at 4:30pm while the main racing will begin at 7pm. Engine starts, hot laps and time trials for the Speedcars will be held from approximately 6pm.
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McNAMARA CLAIMS MAIDEN NSW TITLE WIN
By Ben Graham
Lismore racer Phil McNamara has broken through for his maiden Feature win, taking out the 2009 NSW V8 Dirt Modified Championship at the Grafton Speedway (Nov 14). McNamara lead home Australian Champ Peter Britten and Luke Oldfield in the event held over from last season.
McNamara, the current Lismore Club Champion, started the Championship decider from pole position courtesy of an impressive qualifying performance, which included two heat race wins.
It was a anxious start to the 30-lap main event for McNamara and the rest of the field, with no less than four starts required prior to a single lap being completed.
"We were very nervous about it" said McNamara of starting from the front of the field. " We about making a few more changes to the car before the Feature but I said we cant do that, you've got to go from the front. It's no good setting the car up for the last 10 laps, you've got to get going from the start and bolt"
Once underway however, McNamara remained in control of proceedings on the unique Grafton layout, leading flag to flag in what was not only his first Feature race win, but also his first podium finish in 8 seasons of V8 Dirt Modified racing.
"Once the race got going I knew we had something, Its a long way around the outside and I knew I just had to keep it tidy and down low. I got sight of Britten with about 2 laps to go and I just closed the door. I said to myself if he wants to go he is going to have to go the long way around!"
Although McNamara kept a stranglehold on the race lead, the battle for the minors was fierce in what was a race of attrition, with just five competitors completing 30 laps.
Local Jai Stephenson looked to be in contention early before retiring just shy of half distance, while Scott Cannon was also fast only to be forced out with just a handful of laps to run. Queensland Rookie Kelvin Hamilton held down second for much of the race, only for his night to end on lap 22, allowing Britten & Oldfield to advance.
Last-start Grafton winner Paul Booker (4th) and Alan Jarvis (5th) rounded out the finishers.
Earlier in the night, heat race wins went to McNamara (2), Hamilton (2), Kevin Britten, Tony Sneddon, Scott Cannon, Jai Stephenson & Ray Klarich.
V8 Dirt Modifieds are next in action in NSW on Boxing Night for the traditional Mr. Modified event at the Lismore Speedway
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AUSTIN FARLEY TO EXPERIENCE TWICE THE CAPACITY
American Micro Sprint driver Austin Farley will venture into the V8 League on November 20th when he will be seen at the wheel of Western Australian V8 Dirt Modified racer Greg McKay's V8 Dirt Modified at the Autotrader Fast Friday meeting at the Perth Motorplex.
Farley has enjoyed success during his stint in the Australian Western State and is eagerly awaiting his chance to mix it with the best at the forthcoming Oval Express Series in the Formula 500 division.
On contacting Perth mentor for Farley's campaign, Craig Okely, ironically on route to Murray Bridge (SA) for the next weekends Formula 500 action, it was a matter of seconds before Farley agreed to the deal.
Farley has shown his ability at the wheel of the smaller brigade and has certainly impressed McKay to the point that this is seen as a good opportunity to show the young sixteen year old that Australian Speedway consists of many disciplines.
McKay will run the car in a shakedown at Bunbury City Speedway on November 14th and then the car will be prepared for Farley's V8 debut at which the youngster is excited about tackling.
McKay stated, "I've always admired the aspirants coming in and giving it a go and if they don't like the experience of the division then there is nothing lost as at least they have been given a taste of the action."
"The car at the moment is not in the "Super Competitive Stage" but the aim of the excercise is to give the kid some experience in a different category whilst he has the chance on this vist to Australia."
Farley is a youngster with a passion for the sport which has been shown by his insistence on contacting his father Bill after every race start who whilst spending a week in Perth to settle the youngster in has since returned to the family native US State of Colorado and is constantly being harassed by his son for advice on car set up and driving issues.
Farley has extended his original program of taking in not only the Perth action but also to now include the Oval Express series contested on the Eastern Shores and will form part of the formidable Okley Motorsport team of himself and West Australian Brad Warwick who currently sits second on the Motorpex points table after the two meetings contested in 2009.
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MVB BREAKS 15 YEAR AVALON RACEWAY HOODOO
MEDIA RELEASE – AVALON RACEWAY, 7/11/09
Experienced Lilydale racer Mike Van Bremen sped to a popular victory at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway on Saturday night to break a 15-year drought at the venue when he took victory in round 1 of the Eureka Sprintcar Series. Van Bremen was in control throughout the 30-lap final however runner up Matthew Reed closed quickly late in the race after getting by eventual third placegetter John Vogels.
Van Bremen now leads the Essendon Ford Sprintcar premiership at Avalon Raceway that will reward the track champion with a brand new Ford Fiesta courtesy of Essendon Ford and Avalon Raceway. It was an emotion charged victory for Van Bremen as the multi Eureka Sprintcar Series winner quipped, "I can retire now that I have won here!"
Third generation youngster Nick Lacey started on pole position when he set the quickest time in the top 6 shootout however Van Bremen shot the lead in turn 1 from his second starting spot. From there the Action Alliance backed #6 would never be headed however the race behind was one of the more dramatic seen at the venue.
Numerous stoppages punctuated the event allowing MVB to gain clear track at each restart. Reed started the event from fifth on the grid and performed his customary heroics as he charged forward to challenge then runner up John Vogels mid race. Reed worked both inside and outside grooves in an attempt to get by Vogels and at one stage even slammed the back straight wall such was the intensity of the battle.
Once clear of Vogels, Reed set off after the tearaway leader but simply ran out of time, as there was a mere two car lengths between the first and second placed cars.
"You never know where to run when you are leading and we had pretty good car speed on the bottom but everyone has told me he was coming," explained a relieved race winner.
Reed gained the ascendancy for the runner up spot while Vogels maintained third ahead of a fast finishing Rod Mathews while an impressive Charles Hunter filled fifth.
Domain Ramsay worked his way into the top 5 earlier before slipping to be sixth ahead of B-main transferor Brett Milburn, Carl Ludeman, Eddie Lumbar and Chris Campbell in tenth, Phil Down, Phil Lock and Ron Dalton rounded out the finishers.
Lacey’s bid to become a third generation winner at the venue following in his father Brett and grandfather Ray’s footsteps was short lived when he cut a right front tire 9 laps into the event. Lacey was running strongly in third at the time after slipping to fourth at the initial start. The talented youngster charged back to third and was right on the tale of both Vogels and Van Bremen at the time of the first stoppage.
Jamie Veal was another fancied runner to suffer a mechanical issue while well placed in the top five as South Australian Craig Vanderstelt’s impressive Avalon Raceway debut also ended with a cut right rear tire. Rick Barrand qualified well in his 360ci mount however failed to finish along with Darren Hickman.
Campbell, Milburn, Barrand, Lock, Hickman and Dalton all transferred from the B-main to make up the 18-car final. Milburn, Lumbar and Van Bremen won the first round of heats while Vanderstelt, Veal and Reed took victory in the second round heat action.
Winchelsea’s Phil Micallef swept through his Australian Wingless Sprint opposition when he won both his heat races followed by victory in the main event. Horsham feature winner Mark Walsh trailed Micallef for the shorted featured that endured numerous cautions. Paul Drew, Mark Balcombe and Alan Nankeville rounded out the top 5. Heat wins went to Micallef (2), Andy Hibbert, Paul Drew, Walsh and Shawn Skene.
Daryl Atkinson cruised to victory in the Street Stock category following a dominating performance on the night that also saw him win a heat race while finishing runner up in his other. Nyora’s Daniel Barton raced to a runner up finish while heat wins went to Atkinson, Brad McClure, Chris Bohdal and Brendan Hannabury.
Next Event – Saturday 21st November - Speedcar Super Series, Super Sedans - Blue Ribbon Event, Wingless Sprints
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Mann Is The Man In QSSS 4
Bryan Mann was the man to beat in Round 4 of the Qld Speedway Spares Series at Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway (BIS) on Saturday night November 7, racing to victory from the outside of the front row to lead home Cameron Gessner and Danny Reidy in the twenty-five lap Feature event.
Mann finally put it all together at BIS to score his second victory of the season, leading every lap and withstanding the pressure of Reidy, Darren Jensen and Gessner on his run to the chequers. Only Jensen was able to get his nose in front of the #16 Capalaba Wreckers J&J, taking the lead for a half lap or so late in the race until the yellows came out for Craig Stevenson who had come to a stop in turn one.
Mann had led the previous lap, resumed the lead from Jensen under the yellow light and with a clear track in front of him for the final five laps, he was not to be denied his shot at victory. Jensen would only last another lap before breaking the driveline in the #36 Titan Garages Maxim, his race ending for the second week in a row on the infield.
The fourth Round of the 2009/10 Series will long be remembered for two of the wildest Sprintcar crashes ever seen at the venue. Both accidents happened during the running of the B-Main and both happened on the back straight and ended in turn three.
The first involved Brett Thomas and Kevin Titman, the two touching wheels on the opening lap and riding out a wild double flip. The second involved Cap Henry, Adrian O'Connell and Matthew Butler, with Henry taking a seriously wicked ride that the American youngster certainly will not forget in a hurry. All five drivers were able to climb from their cars on their own.
Earlier in the night, Darren Jensen posted his first Fast Time of the season with a 12.300s lap to edge out James McFadden (12.358) while Danny Reidy made his intentions clear with a scintillating run from the front on a difficult track to win the six lap Dash from Mann and Jensen.
Series leader Andrew Scheuerle will extend his lead atop the points table with a solid fourth place finish in the Feature, the defending Champion again showing a mix of speed and consistency to post another top five result despite missing the Dash.
The next Sprintcar event at Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway is Round 1 of World Series Sprintcars on November 21. Round 5 of the Qld Speedway Spares Series will be held at BIS on December 12.
QSSS 4 Quick Results / Contingency Awards:
Qualifying (Top five): Darren Jensen (12.300), James McFadden (12.358), Danny Reidy (12.388), Andrew Scheuerle (12.423), Todd Wanless (12.458)
Capalaba Wreckers Heat Race Winners: Tim Garrett, Bryan Mann, Dan Murray, Mark Pholi, Cameron Gessner, Scott Baker.
Eagle Chassis Dash: Danny Reidy, Bryan Mann, Darren Jensen, Peter Lack, Cameron Gessner, James McFadden.
Del West B-Main (Top five, four to transfer): Allan Woods, Darrell Hodges, Dan Murray, Craig Stevenson, Tim Garrett
Qld Speedway Spares A-Main: Bryan Mann, Cameron Gessner, Danny Reidy, Andrew Scheuerle, Peter Lack, Steven White, Todd Wanless, James McFadden, Allan Woods, Dan Murray, Paul Rooks, Darrell Hodges, Pete Thorley, David Muir, Darren Jensen (DNF), Craig Stevenson (DNF).
Pro Shock Award: Bryan Mann
Del West Award: Tim Garrett
DMI Award: Dan Murray
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Scheuerle Firms As Favourite For QSSS Round 4
In a week when the nation will stop for a horse race in Melbourne and many will place their one and only wager of the year, defending Series Champion Andrew Scheuerle has firmed in the stakes and should start Round 4 of the Qld Speedway Spares Series as a short-priced favourite when the 410ci Sprintcars take to the track at Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway (BIS) this Saturday night November 7.
Scheuerle, the Series winner in three of the past four seasons, has built his Championship runs on speed and consistency and while he has yet to secure an A-Main victory at BIS this season, he has started the defence of his Title in just the same manner with three podium finishes from as many Rounds to date.
Reigning Qld Champion James McFadden, Tasmanian David Murcott and USA-based hot shoe Kerry Madsen have denied Scheuerle the top step of the podium in recent weeks, although his consistent performances has him on top of the points ladder going into Saturday night's event. Of that trio, only McFadden is a likely starter this week with previous commitments in other parts of the country keeping Murcott and Madsen off the nominations list.
While Scheuerle's name will figure highly when the odds are released later this week, it should be noted that at least five other drivers will also rate well with the punters on Saturday night. McFadden sped past Scheuerle on the final lap to win Round 1 of the Series while Pete Thorley and Darren Jensen won eight Series races between them last season so they certainly know their way to the winner's circle at Archerfield. Peter Lack led the Feature last Saturday night for much of the distance before Madsen got by and Bryan Mann, who finished fifth last week, is regaining the form and speed that carried him to victory in regional Qld in September.
Saturday night's event holds extra significance for Qld drivers as it will also be the final chance they have to dial their cars in ahead of the opening Round of World Series Sprintcars at BIS on November 21.
Event Information:
Date: Saturday November 7, 2009
Venue: Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway (BIS)
Location: 63 Colebard Street West, Archerfield, Queensland
Adults: $23.00
Students & Pensioners (with Photo ID): $18.00
Teens: 13 - 15 yrs: $13.00, Children: 3 - 12 yrs: $6.00
Family Passes: $50.00 (2 adults + 2 children 12yrs or under)
Pit gates open 3:00pm; main gates 4:00pm.
Early racing from approx. 4:15pm, main program from 6:00pm.
Parking is available at the track for $3.00. Racing finishes by 10.30pm.
Programmed events include: Sprintcars, AMCA Nationals, Late Models, Stock Cars, Ford vs Holden Sedans, Sigmas.
Event general admission and pit gate tickets for this event are only available at the Speedway on race day. Race day information, including track weather updates, is available by calling the Speedway Infoline on (07) 3277 7745.
Preferred accommodation packages for this event are available at Robertson Gardens Comfort Inn and Suites - robertsongardens.com.au
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Madsen Wins QSSS 3
Kerry Madsen made his first trip to Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway in six years a successful one with a come from behind victory in Round 3 of the Qld Speedway Spares Series on Saturday night October 31.
Driving the #2 Aljon/Action Metal Recyclers/Self Service Auto Parts J&J for ABC Auto Gear Racing, Madsen ran down race leader Peter Lack to take the lead mid-race and held off a fast finishing David Murcott for the win. Andrew Scheuerle finished third to keep the defence of his Series Championship on track with another of the consistent performances he seemingly reels off week after week at BIS in the #25 Ausdeck Patios And Roofing Sprintcar.
Lack led the opening seventeen laps of the Feature but faded to fourth in the closing stages although for the Lack and the G&W Racing team it could have been one of their finest victories. A testament to just how hard crews work in the pits between races, the team completed repairs to the #58 JEI after Lack took a wild ride down the front straight in the Dash to get the car out on the track just as the pit gates were closing. Lack raced to the lead around the outside of pole sitter Allan Woods in turn two on the start and appeared to have the field covered until Madsen reeled him in and took over the front running. Lack also posted the fastest lap of the race on lap two.
By finishing second to Madsen, David Murcott continued his remarkable run of podium results around the country this season and underscored the fact that he will be a real threat come the opening Round of the World Series Sprintcar championship at BIS in three weeks time.
Series contenders Pete Thorley and Darren Jensen lost ground to Scheuerle in the points chase with an eighth place finish and DNF respectively, while Richard Morgan stays in the hunt with another top ten finish. Darrell Hodges had a forgettable night, transferring to the Feature via the B-Main but failing to see out the distance. American teenager Cap Henry posted his best result so far on his Australian tour, coming home sixth in the Feature after starting from position eleven.
The next Sprintcar event at Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway is Round 4 of the Qld Speedway Spares Series this coming Saturday night November 7.
QSSS 1 Quick Results
Qualifying (Top five): David Murcott 12.661, Brett Thomas 12.729, Bryan Mann 12.940, Peter Lack 12.950, Andrew Scheuerle 12.956.
Heat Winners: Kerry Madsen, Richard Morgan, Steven White, Peter Lack, David Muir, Andrew Scheuerle.
Dash: Alan Woods, Peter Lack, David Murcott, Kerry Madsen, Andrew Scheuerle, David Muir.
B-Main (Top five, four to transfer): Darrell Hodges, Darren Jensen, Steven Wright, Dan Murray, Adrian O'Connell
Qld Speedway Spares A-Main: Kerry Madsen, David Murcott, Andrew Scheuerle, Peter Lack, Bryan Mann, Steven White, Cap Henry, Pete Thorley, Richard Morgan, Dan Murray, Kevin Titman, Steven Wright, Darrell Hodges (DNF), Allan Woods (DNF), David Muir (DNF), Darren Jensen (DNF).
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Robbie Farr Wins Spooktacular In Freaky Display
Sunday, 1 November 2009 by TPCR PR
Robbie Farr turned in a blinder to win the 30 lap Sprintcar Spooktacular in the East Coast Pipeline #7 machine after starting deep in the field.
The inverted starting field saw Farr, Max Dumesny and son Mitchell start a few rows from the back, Craig Brady from the third line and a cool young customer in James Thompson from inside the front line.
When the lights turned green Thompson barnstormed to the front and dictated the pace for 25 laps until a lap car spun in his path and he flipped out of contention.
It was a tough moment for Thompson who had his name engraved on the trophy.
James deserved a better finish and his time will come, of that there is no doubt.
Daryl Campbell sat second for most of the way until taken by a sharp Craig Brady in the Pick and Payless machine, Northern Territorian Danny Reidy and Glen Saville who was mowing them down in the Motorex J&J.
Ian Loudoun was another strong mover in the Blackshaws #18 as he came from position 14 in the pack to finish one off the podium.
The Dumesny family threw everything at the traffic, but nobody could lay a hand on Farr and Danny Reidy after Thompson crashed out of contention.
Farr started behind Brady and Reidy and mowed them down until the yellows came on.
Saville attacked like he was fired out of a cannon, moving on Reidy before the helter skelter started as the NT driver slowed as Saville clipped him.
Reidy was out of the final three laps as Farr opened the taps and was long gone leaving Saville and Brady to fight over the remaining podium placings.
It was Robbie’s second start of the season at Tyrepower PCR and his second win.
Now that’s consistency.
Late Model Feature:
1st Daryl Grimson
2nd Scott McPherson
3rd Clayton Pyne
Street Stock Feature:
1st Brett Mitchell
2nd Adam Brook
3rd Jason Martin
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Smee, Oldfield Win At BIS
Nathan Smee and Luke Oldfield won Round 1 of the 2009/10 Midget Super Series and Round 2 of the CP Pistons Cup respectively at Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway (BIS) on Saturday night October 24.
Both drivers defeated quality fields in earning their Feature race victories, Smee in particular as he was chased all the way to the flag by firstly Keith Giles from WA and then defending Series Champion Mark Brown. Ultimately though Smee proved to be too strong and wrapped up his third A-Main win from as many starts this season to take an early lead in the nine race long Series Championship.
Oldfield, the current Qld V8 Dirt Modified Champion, signalled his return to the winner's circle with a devastating display to lead home Australian Champion Peter Britten and NSW Champion Andrew Pezzutti. In what must surely be an ominous sign to his rivals ahead of the Australian Title at BIS on January 1 and 2, Oldfield found the form that seemingly had deserted him in the opening Round and held off a fast finishing Britten for his first win of the season.
Racing returns to BIS next Saturday night October 31 with Round 3 of the Qld Speedway Spares Series (QSSS) for 410ci Sprintcars plus Litre Sprints, Compact Speedcars, Limited Sprints, Ford v Holden, Brisbane Sedans & Outlaw Sedans on the program.
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