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Australian Sprintcar Championship Dates Confirmed
Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway Promoters John and Kathy Kelly in conjunction with the Sprintcar Control Council of Australia (SCCA) are pleased to announce January 11/12 2013 as the dates for the 51st running of the Australian Sprintcar Championship.
The Championship, the most coveted crown in Australian Speedway, will be preceded by a number of major International Sprintcar events to be held at the Qld venue starting on Boxing Night, including the World Series Australian Sprintcar Open and the Prelude To The Championship.
John Kelly was understandably upbeat when announcing the dates this week.
"We're very pleased to be able to confirm the Championship will be held at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway on January 11/12 next year, the event is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown for Australian Sprintcar racing and is very highly sought after and regarded in our sport."
"Kathy and I are already busy putting together a schedule of events to be run in the lead-up to the Championship, events that will yet again showcase the very best Sprintcar drivers from around Australia and the United States."
"We have been building towards this for a number of years now and leading American drivers Donny Schatz and Shane Stewart were amongst the many who based themselves here in Brisbane during late December and early January this year specifically to race in the major events we held. We certainly see something along those lines continuing for next year."
"Essentially we are looking at six shows starting Boxing Night through January 9 with our International events making up the first three of those followed by the Australian Sprintcar Open and the Prelude. We have spoken at length with quite a few of the visiting American drivers who raced for us in this year's events, including Rico Abreu who really made a name for himself while he was here both on and off the track and is someone who we believe has a big future in the sport. Understandably they are all keen to return to Brisbane, as are the leading drivers in Australia who will want to maximise their time here ahead of the national Championship."
"It's certainly going to be a busy and exciting time for Sprintcar fans with all these events and it's only fitting that we'll crown an Australian
Champion on the final night of the schedule", Kelly added.
Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway - Projected Events Schedule:
26.12.2012: International Sprintcar Series
29.12.2012: International Sprintcar Series
01.01.2013: International Sprintcar Series
04.01.2013: World Series Australian Sprintcar Open (Night 1)
05.01.2013: World Series Australian Sprintcar Open (Final)
09.01.2013: Prelude To The Championship
11.01.2013: Australian Sprintcar Championship (Night 1)
12.01.2013: Australian Sprintcar Championship (Final)
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MILLS & WARREN MOTOR TO WINS AT AVALON RACEWAY
Victorian Travis Mills defeated a strong field to win the inaugural G-Town Speedcar Rumble. www.inactionphotos.com.au
MEDIA RELEASE – AVALON RACEWAY, 28/1/12
Victorian Speedcar champion Travis Mills delivered his career best performance last night at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway when he won the inaugural G-Town Rumble ahead of Adam Wallis and Matt Greenwood. While Mills was victorious in the Speedcar event it was Warrnambool young gun Brad Warren’s excellent drive in the Parr Motorsports Wingless Sprint Series final that captivated the audience as he went on to win ahead of Mark Laity and Chris Halesworth.
A very racy track was the catalyst for some excellent racing throughout the night with Mills confirming his form with a superb drive in the 6 lap Speedcar Dash. The win elevated Mills to pole position while highest point scorer at the completion of the heat races, Mark Brown inverted four cars and could only finish third from the six starters.
Brown’s run ended only 10 laps into the A-main when he coasted to a halt following a strong run in third behind Wallis and early pacesetter Mills.
Mills went on to an excellent win as he weaved through traffic to defeat Wallis, Greenwood, Troy Jordan in fourth ahead of Sid Whittaker in fifth.
The competitive nature of the Wingless Sprint category ensures the racing is close and with many of the top level cars running the same speed passing can be at a premium, somebody forgot to tell Brad Warren. The day before celebrating his 22nd Birthday, Warren motored past several quick drivers on the outside groove and eventually into the runner up spot behind Laity until a restart with 8 laps remaining of the 20 set down for the A-main.
It didn’t take Warren long to go back to the top of the track and power around leader Laity for what was a popular win by the Warrnambool youngster.
Following Warren at the finish was Mark Laity and Chris Halesworth while Josh Buckingham was a strong winner in the Junior Sedan final ahead of Kye Walters and Terry Rankin.
Avalon Raceway now takes a well earned break before returning in two weeks for the Victorian Sprintcar Title for both 410Ci and 360Ci divisions in what will be a
huge night of Sprintcar racing.
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Loudoun Wins Memorable 40th Classic At Sungold Stadium
Sydney’s Ian Loudoun won a memorable 40th Lucas Oil Products Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic tonight at Warrnambool’s Sungold Stadium in front of a massive crowd. Loudoun gained the advantage from the outset and had to withstand late challenges from eventual runner up Craig Dollansky with Kerry Madsen finishing a fine third.
“I’m elated, this is what we came down here for and I can’t be happier,” beamed the quietly spoken Classic champion.
“It might not be showing yet, I’m not the most emotional person but it will sink in and we’ll party hard tonight!”
Loudoun’s third place finish the previous night enabled the team to make the necessary changes and adjustments to allow Loudoun to lead Dollansky throughout the thrilling 40 lap final.
“We made the right adjustments and I just drove 11 tenths to make it happen. They (track curators) brought the track back from no-where tonight and it was great.”
“This is for mum and dad who aren’t here tonight, this is nine years we’ve been racing Sprintcars and they are the ones who got me here.”
Making his way through lapped traffic on a very thin cushion up on the wall ensured Loudoun was on the limit throughout the middle stages. Later in the race the top groove wore out with many of the chasing pack moving to the bottom earlier than the race leader.
“When you get passed by a lapped car I knew we had to change lanes and get to the bottom. We did what we had to do to get to the bottom and hold onto the lead.”
Dollansky was the highest qualifier following the heat races and starting from pole the US ace didn’t get away as quick as Loudoun and quickly fell into the clutches of Daryn Pittman with the pair making contact. Dollansky soon cleared Pittman and began the chase for Loudoun eventually finishing a close runner up.
“We got our nose underneath there towards the tail end of the race but I’d prefer to run second than both of us not finish,” said Dollansky.
“We had some cautions there early which I thought we could capitalise on but I couldn’t make it happen. Just to be up front, running strong means we’re happy.”
“The fans here are some of the greatest, most passionate fans you’ll meet.”
Kerry Madsen bumped the wall on the first lap and slipped back to sixth before starting to work his way forward eventually finishing third.
“I got it in my head that I had a shot and started running the top, but then that wore out and we had to switch to the bottom,” explained Madsen.
“It’s a fantastic event, great for our team, I feel like I’ve let them down as they gave me everything I needed to win but we just couldn’t get it done.”
The line up for the 40 lap A-main was headed by Dollansky and Loudoun, Kerry Madsen, Daryn Pittman, Robbie Farr and Jason Kendrick. Jason Johnson started in position seven ahead of Trevor Green, Brooke Tatnell, Ryan Farrell, Kyle Larson, James McFadden, Danny Reidy, Dylan Jenkin, Carl Dowling, Jamie Bricknell and B-main transferees Shane Stewart, Cameron Gessner, Grant Anderson and Ian Madsen.
The race began with Loudoun taking the early lead ahead of Dollansky and Pittman. Six laps in Cameron Gessner’s night ended after tagging the wall in turn two, rolling the Q68 on the back straight. Following the red light stoppage, Jason Johnson’s night ended with a flat right rear after he got the wall earlier in the race.
The impressive young gun Kyle Larson had an unfortunate end to his Classic assault when he tagged the wall and tore out the front end of his USA 68 just 6 laps into final.
Just 5 laps later James McFadden pulled the NQ25 infield and quickly vacated his car which was on fire after a fuel nozzle broke loose. At the time McFadden had sailed around Kerry Madsen to get fourth as he set off after Pittman.
At the restart Loudoun still led ahead of Dollansky, Pittman, Madsen, Farr, Kendrick, and a hard charging Shane Stewart, Tatnell, Ian Madsen, Anderson and Green.
With 21 laps remaining Kerry Madsen took third place from Pittman and just two laps later Loudoun began contending with lapped traffic.
Dollansky started challenging Loudon for the lead with 8 to go as he had already gone to the bottom after the top was worn out.
Loudoun hung tough and won the Classic final ahead of Dollansky and Madsen. Grant Anderson was the Skwid Signs Hard Charger of the feature race coming from position 19 to fourth. Daryn Pittman was fifth ahead of Robbie Farr, Brooke Tatnell and Shane Stewart. Ian Madsen came from the rear to finish in ninth ahead of Trevor Green, Jason Kendrick, Dylan Jenkin, Jamie Bricknell and Carl Dowling.
Non finishers included Ryan Farrell, Danny Reidy, James McFadden, Kyle Larson, Jason Johnson and Cameron Gessner.
In the last chance to make the feature race of the evening, the B-main was a 20 lap battle of enormous talent. Stewart and Gessner both capitalised on the front row start making the transfer along with Anderson who came from fifth and Ian Madsen from sixth starting positions. Notable names who were unable to transfer out of the B-main included sixth finishing Jason Meyers, Garry Brazier, David Murcott, Tim Shaffer, Darren Mollenoyux, Jamie Veal, Lucas Wolfe and Mitchell Dumesny.
The 15 lap C-main was a prelude to the fantastic action which was to come about in the main event of the evening with Meyers just making the final transfer in position four. Lucas Wolfe took the win, Tim Shaffer and Jamie Veal also transferring to the B-main.
The D-main win was awarded to Max Dumesny, Jonathon Allard, defending Classic winner Steven Lines and Tim Rankin also capitalising on the transfer.
The E-main was taken out by Brett Milburn ahead of Tim Van Ginneken, Stephen Bell and Kevin Titman.
The first round of heat races was completed under the heat of the afternoon sun, the track subject to blistering heat and a stellar field of cars battling it out for vital heat race points.
The first heat of the evening was won by Kerry Madsen ahead of Reidy and Gessner.
Heat two went to Green, Dollansky and Mollenoyux rounding out the top three.
Loudoun took the win in heat three from pole position ahead of Johnson and hard charging Mitchell Dumesny from seventh starting position.
The fourth heat of the night went to Farr, Larson and Murcott finished second and third respectively.
Farrell ran away with the win in heat five from fellow West Australian Kendrick, Shaun Dobson came home in third position.
Heat six was won by Pittman from Jenkin and Shaffer. Crowd favourite Danny Smith failed to fire a shot with engine troubles, resulting in failure to collect valuable points.
The seventh heat race went to pole sitter Tatnell with Bricknell and Stewart in second and third.
The final heat race of round one, heat eight was controversially won by McFadden ahead of Wolfe and Brazier after Brazier missed the kick at the start with officials leaving the race to stay green.
The second round of heat races saw the top qualifying cars start from the rear of the field on a freshly prepared race track.
Heat nine was won by Nathan Brady, Mollenoyux and Mark House rounding out the top three.
Lines tasted victory in heat ten ahead of Anderson and Dollansky who charged all the way from last starting position of tenth.
Heat eleven was won by ever popular Mitchell Dumesny ahead of Dowling and Larson who worked from ninth starting position.
Glen Sutherland took the win in heat twelve from Glen Saville and Jason Johnson.
American Jonathon Allard won heat race thirteen from Eddie Lumbar and Danny Smith.
One of the most spectacular heat race wins of the evening was heat fourteen when young
Jason Kendrick raced from ninth starting position to take the win ahead of veteran Ron Dalton and Jack Lee.
Sheldon Brady won heat race fifteen from Darren Hickman and Classic first timer, American Caleb Griffith.
The final heat race of the evening, heat sixteen was won by Stephen Bell, Shane Stewart and RJ Johnson rounded out the top three.
The Ian Sheppard Memorial trophy went to Robbie Farr who was awarded the most consistant driver from the four nights of racing at Geelong on Wednesday, Friday at Mount Gambier and the Classic
“To win this award means we’ve been pretty solid all week, it’s good to have a some strong results- to finish 6th tonight was pretty good. There’s obviously 70 odd cars that were worse off than us! The win at the Presidents Cup at Avalon was great,” said Farr.
Grant Anderson was the Skwid Signs Hard Charger after starting 19th and scorching to fourth at the conclusion after sorting several early gremlins.
“Full credit to the guys, fourth again which is the same storey as the Australian Title last year. All I’ve got to do is keep my chin up, we don’t have the budget which means we can just throw gear at it all weekend,” said Anderson.
Another Classic Classic at Warrnambool is in the books with Sydney's Ian Loudoun reigning supreme against some of the world's finest racers. The only thing to do now is look forward to the 41st Lucas Oil Products Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic in 2013!
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PRESIDENT FARR RETURNS FOR A SECOND TERM AT AVALON RACEWAY
Victoria's Darren Mollenoyux crashed during a heat race. www.inactionphotos.com.au
MEDIA RELEASE – AVALON RACEWAY, 18/1/12
Robbie Farr was a popular winner of the 31st Essendon Ford Sprintcar President’s Cup last night at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway when he led home a determined David Murcott with US import Jason Meyers rounding out the podium. It was Farr’s second victory in the President’s Cup following his 2007 success while this victory carried a cool $10,000 winners cheque that Farr gladly accepted!
Farr jumped to the lead from the drop of the green flag with Murcott in hot pursuit while the stellar field the chased the leading pair featured a number of the sports highest profile drivers. Withstanding several challenges from Murcott mid race, Farr managed to negate each attempt from Murcott and eventually lead every lap of the non-stop 25 lap final.
Essendon Ford’s David Dickson was on hand to present Farr the $10,000 winners cheque while constant setup improvements following the heats aided Farr’s brilliant speed in the final.
Starting on the front row with Farr, Murcott managed to reel in the leader mid race while coming up short in his attempt to win, the hard charging track specialist still outrun a world class field that trailed behind him. Murcott’s impressive form also netted him second quick in time trials earlier in the evening.
Starting from sixth on the grid, two time and current World of Outlaw champion Jason Meyers methodically edged his way to the front as he drove by the likes of US tourist Danny Smith, December’s World Series round winner James McFadden and also local hero John Vogels. Meyers simply ran out of laps before he could close on the impressive leading pair.
Despite a last lap spin, James McFadden still managed a fourth place finish using the highline to very good effect. The young star was a popular heat race winner earlier in the night while he now holds a massive 150 point lead in the Essendon Ford Sprintcar track championship.
Fifth home was ninth starting Kerry Madsen who motored through the field late in the race. Madsen looked racy all night and despite the even car speed shown by much of the A-main field Madsen still managed to forge his way forward to record a strong finish.
Danny Smith displayed some vintage form to be third for much of the first half of the race before being involved in several brilliant dices before eventually finishing sixth in the USA #4.
Past runner up in the President’s Cup Daryn Pittman returned to finish seventh in his own Heffner Racing car that he had shipped out to Australia for this weeks racing.
Jason Johnson was the fourth American driver in the top 8 yet it was little consolation as the Louisiana speedster was in fifth going into the final lap before taking evasive action for a spinning McFadden slipped Johnson to eighth.
Ninth home was John Vogels who will have enjoyed the chance to run wheel to wheel with several of the world’s great Sprintcar drivers.
Rounding out the top 10 was the popular Victorian and current Eureka Sprintcar Series point leader Jamie Veal.
Other finishers included US teammates Lucas Wolfe and Paul McMahan in 11th and 12th while Darren Mollenoyux, Brett Milburn, Danny Pestka and Shaun
Dobson were the remaining runners.
Non finishers were Brooke Tatnell and Trevor Green who started 10th and 15th respectively.
Excellent weather ensured the large crowd would enjoy watching some of the world’s best drivers with a dozen American’s tackling the finest Australian racers as 51 cars completed time trials earlier in the evening with Ryan Farrell lapping the 390m venue the quickest of everyone with a 11.978sec lap.
Livewire Californian Kyle Larson started the night in spectacular fashion when he set the 7th quickest lap on his first qualifying effort before touching the wall and inverting the Brett Milburn owned entry on his second lap. Larson dealt with minor issues in his heat races that ensured he missed a start in the B-main.
Following the incredibly competitive heat races that featured the top 30 qualifiers after time trials, heat wins went to James McFadden, Peter Murphy, Jason Meyers, Daryn Pittman, Craig Dollansky and John Vogels.
Trevor Green won a stacked B-main ahead of Darren Mollenoyux, Lucas Wolfe and Jamie Veal while Mollenoyux charge from 13th was scintillating to say the least. Early leader Ryan Farrell failed to finish as Shane Stewart who slipped out of a transfer spot mid race.
Craig Dollansky missed the transfer in the B-main after starting 10th and moving to the infield mid race while defending event winner Stephen Bell also missed the A-main after both drivers suffered unlucky incidents in both their heats.
Local Australian Street Stock champion Brad McLure was unstoppable all night when he won the Street Stock final as he was also celebrating his 20th season in the category.
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