Title Time at Archerfield This Weekend
More than 30 Sprintcar drivers from four states will gather at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway this weekend to contest the 2016/2017 Hungry Jack’s Queensland Sprintcar Championship. To be decided over two nights of competition on Saturday (April 23) and Sunday (April 24) evenings, the title showdown will bring a star-studded field together in a battle for a $5000 first prize and the honour of being crowned state champion.
Leading the interstate contingent looking to take the trophy out of the sunshine state are two former national championship winners in Dave Murcott and Robbie Farr. Both Murcott and Farr have enjoyed considerable success at Archerfield throughout their careers, they both possess a never-say-die attitude in their quest for victory and the fact that they are both racing for Queensland-based team owners will make only serve as extra motivation to secure a Queensland Championship trophy. Interestingly, Murcott is yet to win a Queensland Championship, while Farr has won the event on five occasions and remains the defending champion following the cancellation of last season’s event. The problem facing both men though is the fact that there are another 30+ drivers equally determined to take the title, ensuring that should either of them prevail, a hard-earned victory it most certainly will be.
The man who deserves to carry the mantle of pre-race favourite in recognition of his six feature race wins at Archerfield so far this season is Andrew Scheuerle. After a whirlwind start to the season that produced five wins on the trot, Scheuerle followed up with a series of strong results to clinch the Supercheap Auto Championship before scoring his sixth feature race win during round two of the East Coast Logistics Crispy Memorial Series on April 9, a perfect precursor to his championship campaign.
Luke Oldfield has consistently been the fastest car on track in recent weeks, clocking the fastest lap in qualifying on several occasions. At the April 9 event, Oldfield again set fast time and emerged as top qualifier after the heats before finishing third in the feature race. Defending track champion Bryan Mann is another who has been in very good form of late, while Kevin Titman, Darren Jensen, Mitchell Gee, Peter Lack, Brandon Rawlings and Paul Morris have all featured on the podium so far this season and are expected to be championship contenders.
In what will be a huge weekend of racing, the Australian Modlite Championship will also be decided. Current titleholder Terry Leerentveld has been unbeatable in feature race competition at Archerfield so far this season and it is going to take a mighty effort to upstage the defending champion come Sunday night’s championship final. So, who is most likely to step up and lower Leerentveld’s colours in the biggest race of their season? Scott Lehfeldt, Aaron Prosser, Luke Whitehill, Sean Butcher and Aaron Seton seem the most likely candidates to fight it out for the minor placings and seize any opportunity that might present should Leerentveld strike trouble at any stage throughout the weekend.
Saturday night’s program will also feature Formula 500’s, Compact Speedcars and Wingless Sprints, while Sunday night will include racing from Lightning Sprints and Formula 500 Juniors PLUS Monster Trucks and a fireworks extravaganza as part of a huge night of family entertainment.
Gates open at 4.00pm on both nights (although online ticketholders will be admitted from 3.30pm on Sunday), with early racing from 4.45pm. Sprintcars will hit the track at 6.00pm, with adult tickets just $28.00 for Saturday and $30.00 for Sunday. For more information about any event at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway, or to purchase online tickets, visit www.brisbanespeedway.com.au or stay tuned to Archerfield Speedway on Facebook for news and updates in the lead-up to each race meeting.
Hungry Jack’s Queensland Sprintcar Championship nominations: Allan Woods, Andrew Marks, Andrew Scheuerle, Anthony Lambert, Anthony Vanderreyden, Ben Hilder, Brad Ayers, Brandon Rawlings, Brent Aprile, Brent Kratzmann, Bryan Mann, Callum Walker, Clem Hoffmans, Darren Jensen, Dave Fanning, Dave Murcott, David Whell, Jake Tranter, James Grady, Kevin Titman, Kristy Bonsey, Luke Oldfield, Mark Pholi, Mitchell Gee, Paul Morris, Paul Rooks, Peter Lack, Peter Milnes, Richard Morgan, Rob Hamilton, Robbie Farr, Scott Doyle, Steve Greer, Steven Johnson
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Clark Refused to Lose
Clark Refused to Lose
By Jodie Bell
Australian V8 Dirt Modified champion David Clark held off Jai Stephenson last night to take the win at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway; but only just. Clark now adds the V8 Dirt Modified Queensland title to his mantle and he also accrued enough points to win last night’s fifth and final round of the inaugural Five-Star Series; new to the category this year.
V8 Dirt Modified Queensland title podium L-R: 3rd #25 Andrew Pezzutti, 1st #A1 David Clark, 3rd #45 Jai Stephenson
Stephenson found some drive up top in the closing laps and almost had Clark around the outside off the final turn but he touched the wall; giving Clark that split-second advantage to the chequered flag.
Two-time Aussie champ Andrew Pezzutti challenged pole-sitter Clark early on, and also made his presence known on the high line. He held down second position for much of the 30 lap feature but didn’t have an answer for Stephenson shortly after the third and final restart; Pezzutti eventually crossed the line in third.
Three-time Aussie champ Mark Robinson made some big moves up top early on and perhaps showed Stephenson the way but unfortunately Robinson hit the back-straight wall 13 laps in and was one of 3 to DNF out of the 18 drivers that met the green.
It was a fast track last night, Clarks fastest lap in the feature was less than one second off Pezzutti’s Quick Time winning lap at the start of the night of 13.751 seconds.
Heat wins went to Pezzutti, Stephenson (x2), Clark, Mitchell Gee and Robinson. Defending Queensland champion Kevin Britten DNF’d his first heat which sent him down the order a little but he still made the top ten at the end of the night.
Following Clark, Stephenson and Pezzutti, the top ten finishers in the A-Main were Ray Eggins, Britten, Gee, Daniel Scott, Brandon Rawlings, Ray Klarich and Mick Kiraly.
A 29-strong field of Modified Production sedans revived history last night in staging the Cannonball Cup; an event once steeped in Super Sedan tradition… plus there was $1000 up for grabs as an added incentive.
Gavin Fletcher re-wrote history by setting a new 30 lap record in the feature of 8 minutes 44.214 seconds. In another close finish last night, Shane McDonald and Mark Raymont came across the line less than one second off Fletcher’s pace to finish second and third respectively.
Not surprising as qualifying exposed a very closely matched field. The top ten were within two-tenths of a second of each other and the top 19 were within four tenths of a second.
In the Lightning Sprint feature, Australian Champion Scott Genrich once again showed how it was done but a different names heads the finishing order for Ford v Holden v Sigma - Jason Walsh took the win last night (Tookey was second).
This Saturday night the KRE Race Engines Sprintcar Series and the Polar Ice Midget Series wrap up! The DMA Modlites also finalise their Western Landscape Supplies/David Grose Real Estate Driver to America Series supported by AMCA’s and the SSA Juniors. A crazy Caravan, Boat and Dunny race will cap off a massive night of racing so join us trackside for all the action.
Beat the rush and purchase tickets online at www.brisbanespeedway.com.au and check www.fcebook/archerfieldspeedway for updates. This is not the final night of the season, the grand finale is the Novelty Night the following Saturday, May 31.
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