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WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS ANNOUNCES EXPANDED PATNERSHIP WITH ONE HD
SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 9 March, 2010
Story by Steven Green
World Series Sprintcar Management Board Chairman Geoff Kendrick today announced the securing of the WSS TV show on Network Ten’s ONE HD channel for the 2010/2011 season. In making the announcement Kendrick also announced the possibility of up to 20 X 1hr broadcast’s on Australia’s premiere ‘free to air’ dedicated sport network.
The offer was secured after Kendrick and WSS General Manager Steven Green met with Network Ten Sport supremo David White in his Pyrmont office Last week.
White, the TV network visionary that helped launch V8 Supercars onto the sporting landscape back in 1996, discussed a number of issues with both Kendrick and Green including pre and post production, delivery, ratings and all commercial aspects relating to the coverage.
“David was very happy with the results from our first season of World Series Sprintcars on ONE HD”, said WSS General Manager Steven Green.
“The ratings in our first year have exceeded the network’s expectations with our audience peaking at a little over 77,000 individual viewers on Sunday the 21st of February.
“It’s very exciting times, ONE HD’s share of the overall TV market continues to grow and Speedway is now a major part of that.
“As part of our negotiations other major races including the Australian Sprintcar Championship and Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic will form part of next year’s broadcast schedule. In fact we were also able to secure air-time for this year’s (2010) Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
“Another pleasing aspect of our negotiations with ONE HD management is that the Network 10 sales department will work with us to secure commercial supporters for the series. This is no longer just a supply agreement it is now a true partnership for us to build on.
“The support shown to WSS TV by our partners has been vindicated by the ratings and the offer of more air-time for the future. World Series Sprintcars has once again proven it is Speedway’s number one promotional tool and as such deserves the industry support it gets. ” said Green.
“I would like to re-assure all Speedway fans that we have been listening to their feedback and we will take on board their comments as we continue to improve our production going forward”.
“This announcement is a timely boost for the series, coupled with record crowds, record car counts and interest from more teams wishing to compete as contracted teams in the series next year, we now have a very substantial package to present to prospective marketing partners”, said Kendrick.
World Series Sprintcars would like to thank the following for their contribution to this year’s series.
· National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR)
· Sprintcar Control Council of Australia (SCCA)
· Performance Wholesale
· East Coast Pipeline
· Revolution Racegear
· Vortex Wings
· Hoosier Tires
· ONE HD
· Power Productions
· All WSS Tracks
· WSS Teams and Drivers.
Footnote: The broadcast time and date for this year’s Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic will be announced in the near future.
CLAYDEN WINS AUSTRALIAN WINGLESS SPRINT TITLE
WINGLESS NEWS - Posted 8 March, 2010
Story by Greg Migro
News has filtered out of Mount Gambier that W.A driver Daryl Clayden has won the 2010 Australian Wingless Sprints National Title. Clayden had two wins, a third and a fourth from his four heats, enough to earn him a front row start for the all important final. Two rows back, the other W.A entry Lee Nash had also earned himself a start well up in the field following two wins in his heats.
Clayden started alongside Victorian Andy Hibbert, with defending champion Rory Button looming on the second row with the experienced Jeff Judd. Nash shared the third row with another Victorian Phil Micallef.
Clayden went on to take the win ahead of Button, and Cory Hodgson who made a charge from 19th on the grid. In further good news for the W.A club, Nash finished fifth in a great drive. It's always a long way to go for West Australians to make national titles in other states, so to have two drivers make the trek and both finish in the top five is a fantastic result.
From the entire committee of Wingless Sprints W.A, congratulations Daryl on a wonderful win, and also Lee for a high finish at the biggest race of the year in the class.
HARD CHARGING RESULT FOR MCFADDEN AT KRIKKE BOYS SHOOTOUT
SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 6 March, 2010
Story by Daniel Powell
On an unforgiving Bunbury City Speedway track on the second night of the annual Krikke Boys Shootout; James McFadden was able to charge his way forward from deep in the field to finish in a strong fourth place that later became sixth place.
After starting from position 14 in the feature race, McFadden threw caution to the wind around the highline of the Bunbury City Speedway track and moved into fourth place by the middles stages of the race. McFadden was later passed by eventual runner up finisher Ryan Farrell for fourth place and on a restart in the closing stages McFadden passed American Sammy Swindell before the restart cone after the latter had appeared to slow and pull off the track. Post race, race officials put McFadden back two spots for that and instead of fourth he was recorded as a sixth place finisher.
“I felt a bit hard done by when the race officials put me back two spots, as Sammy [Swindell] had slowed rapidly and it appeared that he had a mechanical issue before the restart cone and pulled off towards the infield and that was why I went past him. Had Sammy retired to the infield it wouldn’t have been an issue, but since he kept going it made me look like the bad guy and I got pinned for it,” explained McFadden. “Considering that it was a tough track and I had started so far back in the field I was pretty happy to have moved up as far as I did. Throughout the feature race I just stuck to the highline and it was a pretty unforgiving place to be but it was the only way I was going to move forward as there weren’t too many other drivers up there.”
McFadden’s Krikke Boys Shootout hopes, after a strong opening night that saw him finish fourth in the preliminary feature race, were dealt a cruel blow after his WA # 25 Total Workwear supported Cool suffered torque tube failure at the beginning of his heat race on the second night. Despite dropping his heat race, McFadden was still able to gain enough points to qualify for the B Dash. In the B Dash he started from position eight in the field and ended up finishing seventh and that gave him a 14th starting position in the feature race.
This weekend McFadden is set to contest the latest rounds of the Eureka Garages & Sheds Super Sprint Series in Victoria that will see Saturday night (March 6) held at Simpson Speedway and Sunday night (March 7) at Avalon Raceway.
McFadden would like to thank his car owner Scott Milling, dad and crew chief Dave McFadden, and sponsors Totally Workwear and KRE Race Engines for their all continued 09/10 season support.
SURFS UP FOR W.A. WINGLESS BRIGADE
WINGLESS SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 4 March, 2010
Story by Ross Allen
For the second summer in a row, Wingless Sprints W.A are taking the show down the Bussell Highway to the surfing hotspot of Margaret River. Come nightfall on March 20th however, and surf boards will be the last thing on the driver’s minds as they don their helmets and fireproof suits to do battle in the 2010 Margaret River Showdown. Last year’s winner, Marshall McDiarmid is amongst the early nominations, and he will have a fierce battle on his hands if he is to repeat the dose. Ben Migro has nominated in the Classic Contractors #7, and will be looking to improve on his third placing last year. Lee Redmond is also amongst the early nominations, and will be looking to build one some very impressive form in his debut year in the class.
Not all the drivers entered will be coming from Perth, with a handful happy to be racing closer to home. Eaton resident Carol O’Sullivan will be piloting the South West Removals #16 as she continues her maiden year behind the wheel. O’Sullivan has gradually picked up the pace in her early outings at the Perth Motorplex, and will no doubt relish the opportunity to challenge herself at a different venue. Last year’s meeting at Margaret River saw the emergence of Liam Dowling, and O’Sullivan will be hoping for a similar break out meeting to set her up for the final handful of meetings of the summer season.
Similarly, Bunbury local Kyle Beard will head to Margaret River for his fourth night in a wingless sprint, after his recent debut at his home track. Beard has shown excellent speed at times, with an impressive showing at Bunbury Speedway catching the eye. Look for the Maltesta Group #57 to be right in the thick of the action when the green flag drops.
Of the returning drivers, Adrian LaMacchia will also front, once again in the House of Computer Rentals #95. Last year, LaMacchia was in a one off drive in the Kaaks Racing machine. This year LaMacchia is on a longer term arrangement, and will be keen to rectify a tough (and at times entertaining) night last time around. LaMacchia had some troubles with the starting cone in 2009, and ended up with damage after tagging a spinning car.
Wingless Sprints W.A Race Secretary Ben Migro is buoyant at the prospect of returning to Margaret River. “Last year was a great event. The Margaret River Speedway club looked after us really well, the track was outstanding, and all the drivers present had a really good night. For me personally I had my first race win at this event last year, as well as my first feature race podium finish. I can’t wait to get down to a lovely town, great track and go racing, and I know that feeling is shared by many within the club. Look out Margaret River, the Wingless Sprints are coming. The timing is perfect with the Drug Aware Pro on the same weekend, so if you’re in town for the surf, come and check out the dirt action on the Saturday night.”
PERFORMANCE WHOLESALE WORLD SERIES SPRINTCAR TV SEASON REVIEW
SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 4 March, 2010
Story by Steven Green
Brooke Tatnell, Robbie Farr and Max Dumesny will add a driver’s perspective to this weekend’s final TV show of the 2009/2010 Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Championship which is set air on Network Ten’s ONE HD this Sunday, March 7, at 5:30pm (EDST). The trio of sprintcar superstars join regular host, David Tapp, in presenting a detailed series review focusing on all the highlights of arguably the best WSS Championship in many years.
Power Productions’ Managing Director David Tapp really enjoyed putting together this year’s production but none more so than this weekend’s final episode.
“Brooke, Max and Robbie are true icons of our sport and working with them on the season review was great fun, Tapp explained.
“Their insight into the sport from a driver’s perspective was fascinating and adds another element to the show which I believe the fans out there will really enjoy”.
PWWSS Chairman, Geoff Kendrick, has been delighted with the inaugural TV package on ONE HD.
“A major priority was to return the PWWSS to a high profile television package and this has been achieved this season,” he said.
“Sunday afternoon has been a fantastic time slot and the One HD hierarchy are very pleased with the ratings over-all. I know of thousands of fans, sponsors, officials and drivers who have enjoyed seeing sprintcars on a true free to air network,” Kendrick added.
Mark it down in your diary, this Sunday afternoon, March 7, at 5.30pm EDST. Don’t miss the drama and excitement filled PWWSS season review, the final episode of the 2009/2010 Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Championship on One HD.
PWSSS Show 10 – Sunday 7 March 2010 – 5:30pm (EST)
Please Note - this is a live schedule so it will be 4:30pm in Queensland, 5:00pm in South Australia and 2:30pm in Western Australia. Television times are subject to change without notice. Please check your local guide.
LINES FOURTH IN KRIKKE BOYS SHOOTOUT
SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 3 March, 2010
Story by Daniel Powell
A fourth place result was pleasing end to last weekend’s Krikke Boys Shootout at Bunbury City Speedway in Western Australia for Steve Lines.
The current and three times South Australian Sprintcar Title holder finished just off the podium in the feature race on the final night of the Krikke Boys Shootout and was pleased to have survived the tough and varied track conditions over the two nights.
“We had a tough opening night but we fought back on the second night and brought home a pleasing result,” expressed VIC # 45 H.A. Young Plumbing / Camden Neon Signs supported J&J driver. “The track on the opening night was quite slick and on the second night it was soaked with water and that created a fast track that had developed plenty of ruts throughout the night. It claimed quite a few cars during the feature race, so I was quite satisfied to have brought the car home in one piece as the track was pretty unforgiving.”
After a disappointing time trial result of 17th Lines finished third in his heat race on the opening night. Lines’ heat race result advanced him into the Dash A line up and a wheel stand off the start saw him lose a number of spots and consequently he finished back in eighth. As a result of his Dash A finish, Lines started from deep in the preliminary feature race, out of position 15, and worked his way forward to finish in 10th. However, post race Lines was put back two spots to 12th by race officials who had claimed that he allegedly passed cars on the infield on the opening lap.
The second and final night of the Krikke Boys Shootout was a much pleasing performance for Lines after he finished third in his heat race and fourth in Dash B. Lines then started the feature race out of position eight and he was able to progress forward and finish in fourth place.
This weekend (March 6 and 7) Lines will contest the latest two rounds of the Eureka Garages & Sheds Super Sprint Series in Victoria at Simpson Speedway on Saturday night and then Avalon Raceway on Sunday night.
The new range of Steve Lines merchandise includes t-shirts, hoodies and caps in a range of sizes and it is all available from the VIC # 45 transporter at all of the remaining 09/10 season race meetings.
To find out more about Steve Lines visit his official website: www.stevelines.com
TOP 10 KRIKKE BOYS SHOOTOUT RESULT FOR REIDY
SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 3 March, 2010
Story by Daniel Powell
In what turned out to be a battle of survival during the final night of the annual Krikke Boys Shootout at Bunbury City Speedway over in Western Australia last weekend Danny Reidy recorded a Top 10 result.
Reidy ended up ninth at the completion of the feature race on the final night of the Krikke Boys Shootout on Sunday night.
“I was pretty happy just to stay on all four wheels in the feature race as the track was pretty brutal and it claimed a few cars due to crashes,” he explained. “The opening night the track was slick as, but the next night it was completely the opposite as it was hooked up and there were some pretty big ruts to avoid too.”
On the opening night of the Krikke Boys Shootout on the Saturday night Reidy recorded a 13th place finish in the preliminary feature race after he had worked his way up from position 19 in the field.
The Krikke Boys Shootout campaign for Reidy started off strongly when he qualified second in time trials. Due to a strong time trial result he started from position six in his heat race and unfortunately missed a top four direct transfer into the feature race after he finished in fifth. Due to missing out on a direct transfer from his heat race, Reidy had to earn his place into the feature race via a third place finish in the B-main.
The final night of the Krikke Boys Shootout finished fourth in his heat race that won him a start in the B Dash. In B Dash, Reidy started and finished in fifth and that saw him start from position 10 in the feature race.
This Saturday night (March 6) will return to the East Coast by contesting the Gold Cup at Lismore Speedway in Northern NSW.
Reidy would like to thank Desert Palms Resort in Alice Springs, Titan Plant Hire, Baines Engines, Gonzo Racing Pipes, Camden Neon Signs and P&M Motor Body Repairs for all their support throughout the 09/10 season.
The official Danny Reidy website can be viewed at: www.dannyreidy.com
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