:: OPENWHEEL NEWS POSTINGS FOR THE PAST 7 DAYS ::
BIG FIELD OF AMERICANS TIPPED FOR WSS OPEN IN BRISBANE
SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 2 September, 2010
Story by Darren ODea
WILL American superstar Donny Schatz win the Titan Garages Australian Open when the World Series Sprintcars show rolls into Brisbane Speedway on January 7-8 next year?
Well there’s a good chance given Schatz has been the dominant driver in the show at the Titan Garages-backed venue in recent times.
Schatz won the Open last season from former national champions Brooke Tatnell and Garry Brazier and also won both WSS rounds at Brisbane the previous year.
And when looking at the 2007/08 summer that man Schatz was also in first place.
Promoter John Kelly this week said all indications were that Schatz would be back in Brisbane in the Garry Rush-owned car.
Kelly predicted the Open would feature a healthy number of American drivers with regulars Brent Kaeding and Jason Sides locked in while others could include Brian Monteath, Bud Kaeding and Kyle Larsen.
Then of course there will be fellow Americans Jason Johnson and Tyler Walker who have already committed to entire series as contracted drivers.
“We have a lot of sprintcar racing here at that time of the year and that one is our major race of the year,” Kelly said.
“We are looking forward to the series and most guys around here are getting ready now and making their way to Mackay.”
Of course WSS fans won’t have to wait until January to see the national series in Brisbane with the Queensland venue also hosting the opening bout of the series on November 20.
DUMESNY HAS THE DRIVE FOR WSS SUCCESS
SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 1 September, 2010
Story by Darren ODea
COMPETING in the 50th Knoxville Nationals and changing to a shorter-bar car will hopefully give Max Dumesny the impetus he needs to win another World Series Sprintcars championship.
Dumesny is one of the most successful drivers (seven crowns) and a mainstay in the competition since the series started in 1987/88 but he hasn’t cracked the code to win the series since the summer of 2006/07.
He is hoping that will change when the national speedway series kicks off in Brisbane in November.
Just back from racing in the US’ Dumesny said the overseas foray got him race-fit and had given him confidence on the high-speed tracks.
It also gave him the opportunity to work more on the shorter-bar car which the team switched to towards the end of last season.
Competing in Knoxville again had been something Dumesny had considered for some time and thought it was opportune to compete in the 50th anniversary given he contested the 25th event.
It also turned out to be son Mitchell’s first time competing in Knoxville.
Dumesny said the tour highlight was finishing third in the Australian-American challenge.
The lowlight was a crash when a trailer tyre blew while heading to a show in Nebraska.
While the crash caused a lot of damage Dumesny said more importantly no one was injured.
Reflecting on WSS last year the former series and national champion it wasn’t as good as he would have liked.
“It was pretty ordinary I thought,” he said, but was unable to determine why.
“Sometimes it happens and last year it was just not happening until the end of the season when we put the other car together and then it was going quite well.”
Dumesny opened his WSS account with quick time and a second in Brisbane.
He then had to wait until round five in Murray Bridge for a third before his final podium result was a second in round 10 in Toowoomba.
Despite the lack of podium finishes Dumesny finished third overall in the series behind eventual winner Brooke Tatnell and Robbie Farr.
His last championship win was back in 2006/07 when he claimed five rounds.
When asked who his main rivals would be Dumesny said it would be interesting to see how American Tyler Walker would go, particularly on Australia’s smaller tracks.
“He’s a hell of a racer.
“And Jason Johnson is in good form as is Robbie Farr.”
He also highlighted Ryan Farrell and new national champion James McFadden as drivers to watch.
The Valvoline pilot once again has ‘Mouse’ Green in his corner as crew chief in a long-term partnership that has produced many results over the years.
Green will be twisting the spanners on the Maxim chassis that are reliably powered by Maxwill Engines.
Dumesny’s new Australian season is expected to get underway in Mackay this month before the team hits the road for the traditional summer trail.
See one of the most popular and recognisable drivers in the series that will make its way across the country this summer.
The series: Round 1 – Brisbane (November 20), Round 2 – Toowoomba (November 27), Round 3 – Hobart (December 4), Round 4 – Latrobe (December 11), Round 5 – Adelaide (December 26), Round 6 – Murray Bridge (December 27), Round 7 – Mt Gambier (December 28), Round 8 – Avalon (December 30), Round 9 – Warrnambool (January 1), Round 10 – Brisbane (January 7-8), Round 11 – Murray Bridge (January 14), Round 12 – Adelaide (January 15), Round 13 – Kalgoorlie (February 9), Round 14 – Bunbury (February 11-12), Round 15 – Manjimup (February 16), Round 16 and Grand Final – Perth Motorplex (February 18-19).
The drivers: Brooke Tatnell, James McFadden, Max Dumesny, Robbie Farr, Trevor Green, Tyler Walker (USA), Jason Johnson (USA), Ryan Farrell, David Murcott, Steven Lines, Bryan Mann, Danny Reidy, Ian Madsen, Wayne Rowett and one more yet to be named - versus the best of rest.
The website: www.worldseriessprintcars.com
14 YEAR OLD GIRL WINS TATERSALL MEMORIAL
USA SPEEDCAR NEWS - Posted 1 September, 2010
Story by Peter White
The UMARA sanctioned Bob Tattersall Memorial midget race was held on the weekend at Grundy County Speedway at Morris, Illinois.
It was won by a 14 year-old girl!
ALL STARS WEEKEND
SPRINTCAR NEWS - Posted 30 August, 2010
Story by Mandy Searle
Fire Service Plus, B.S.A Sprintcar All Star Series held another successful Drivers meeting on Saturday. Now regular part of the Series, drivers are invited along to an “open discussion day”. Promoter Mandy Searle says “ This is always a good way to judge what we have been doing over the past 12 months and give drivers a chance to have positive input into what we might do for the next 12 months.”
“I found it encouraging to listen to the Drivers talking about how they might promote themselves more in future. Many drivers bought up this topic and they came up with some great suggestions for self promotion thru the next season. As the Series Promoter it is a big job trying to promote ourselves but having all the driver’s behind me in this helps make my job a lot easier” says Mandy. “We have some exciting things happening over the oncoming season and I am really looking forward to the season starting.”
“Sunday we put on a 2 Seater Sprintcar Ride Day at Redline Raceway, Ballarat. ‘ This is an awesome promotional tool we have to use for our Sponsors and the Series. Everyone would be aware by now that we take this to each of our Series rounds. At the end of each season we arrange a ride day for Series Sponsors that wish to take up the offer. It is a good fun day and fortunately the weather was kind to us. I have to thank Anthony Vanderyden, who has supplied us with the car and I cannot thank enough! Paul Solomon, Freddy Baker & Redline Raceway for the help on the day.” Mandy tells us.
SOUTH BURNETT SPEEDWAY CLUB
GENERAL NEWS - Posted 29 August, 2010
Story by Jason
What a spectacular season South Burnett Speedway Club has planned for this up and coming season. The club is surely set for a thrilling comeback. With major renovations taking place, Kingaroy is certainly on track for the opening of the revhead season ! A new spectator hill is currently under construction to provide plenty of seating and it is sure to be a treat with patrons getting an amazing view of all the action. Other improvements include a new corporate area with a large marquee providing our major sponsors with an exclusive and personal feel to soak up all the nights proceedings. A much new and improved concrete fence will be completed in time for the first meeting.
Starting off the season on 6 November will see the debut of the V8 Sprintcars with some big names already showing major interest. Amcas will make a welcome return supporting the Sprintcars. On the support program will be the ever increasingly fast growing 4 Cylinder class. ASCF Juniors make up the last class which will see the commencement of their 3 Round Series here.
18 December will be another who’s who of speedway with Super Sedans taking centre stage hosing a round of the prestigious Ian Boettcher Proton Super Sedan Championship Series. Supporting the Super Sedans will see the Street Sedans contest the Inaugural Harm Testimonal 30 Lapper. Super Street Sedans will also showcase their class and round out a top night’s program will be the QSCA Juniors.
22 January sees the mighty Modified Productions turn it up for the crowd holding a Blue Ribbon meeting. This class always being a firm crowd favourite at Kingaroy they are sure to provide plenty of action packed racing. Supporting them will be the fast and furious Formula 500’s. Not forgetting the thrills and spills of the Street Sedans with ASCF Juniors holding Round 2 of their series. Stock Rods will be here making their debut on this superb track also.
26 February – South Burnett Speedway Club will surely be set for a five star night of racing with 2 major classes show casing their divisions. It will be very pleasing to be hosting a round of the V8 Dirt Modified series (Naming rights to be advised). Their wheel to wheel action will be sure to keep the crowd on the edge of their seats. Late Models will make their introductory appearance here at Kingaroy and are sure to show the crowd why they are a division growing in numbers. Dwarf Cars will contest their OO Motorsport Dash for Cash Series and are out to take home the money. ASCF Juniors will hold their final round and completing the program will be Street Sedans.
30 April is always a popular night with drivers, run in conjunction with our local show it gives a real carnival feel. Super Street Sedans head a sovereign night of racing with Street Sedans,QSCA Juniors and an oldie but a classic the Nostalgias making a return. Also topping off a top notch night’s program will be the Dwarf Cars and the Go Karts.
This brings to the completion for South Burnett Speedway Club season and what a paramount season it will have been !
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