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.

Media Release

Five Star Field at Archerfield

                                            Current Australian V8 Dirt Modified champion David Clark

By Jodie Bell

The V8 Dirt Modifieds (V8DM) stage their Queensland championship this Saturday night at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway and it’s also the final round of their new Five-Star Series while the Modified Sedans return to revive the historic sedan event known as the Cannonball Cup.    

The V8DM Queensland championship has been running for over 20 years in some way, shape or form but it’s the first year for the Five Star Series which was introduced to bring a new element to the sport.

The first round of the series doubled as the National Title on Australia Day weekend and although David Clark claimed the title, Jai Stephenson won the round by 1 point. Defending Queensland champion Kevin Britten claimed the round 2 win in Rushworth, Victoria.  The series then headed over to Western Australia where Brandon Rawlings won round 3 and the WA Title at Mount Barker.  Lismore staged round 4 at Easter and two-time Australian champion Andrew Pezzutti claimed victory at the NSW track.

After 4 rounds Rawlings heads the leader board followed by Britten, young gun Mitchell Gee, Clark and Stephenson rounds out the top 5.

No doubt Aussie V8DM champ David Clark would like to add his name to the winners list in the in the inaugural year of the series, as would three-time Australian champion Mark Robinson.  All of the above are nominated this Saturday night and are joined by plenty of hard-chargers including the likes of Ray Klarich who has been making Archerfield his own at recent race meets; bringing the field to a total of 20 drivers.

The Modified Productions are back for a second appearance at Archerfield this season and this time they’ll stage the $1000-to-win Cannonball Cup.  Event organiser Ryan Harris is a Modifieds enthusiast and was keen to see the category return to Archerfield. “It’s an event name that’s steeped in Super Sedan tradition but we wanted to resurrect that and try to fit in nice event between Easter and the QLD title,” said Harris.

Queensland champion Shane McDonald heads the list of 31 Modified Production drivers this Saturday night. Harris said the drivers are excited about being back in Brisbane and after the success of the last event and promoter John Kelly is keen to support the category and see it return as a regular division at Archerfield.

The format for the Modified Productions will be slightly different this time with three rounds of heats so there’ll be plenty of excitement and action for the crowd.  Support divisions include Lightning Sprints, FordvHoldenvSigma and the ASCF four cylinder sedans. 

Pit gates open at 3pm, spectator gates open at 4pm and there will be early racing from approximately 5pm and the main program commences at 6pm. Check www.brisbanespeedway.com.au for prices and check www.facebook.com/archerfieldspeedway for updates.

Mann flawless in penultimate KRE round at Archerfield

By Jodie Bell

Racing last night was high-octane at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway with multiple crashes and rollovers but Bryan Mann put in a flawless drive from pole position to take the win for round 14 of the KRE Race Engines Sprintcar Series.

KRE Race Engines Sprintcar Series round 14 podium pictured L-R: 2ND #Q5 Danny Reidy, 1ST #Q16 Bryan Mann, 3RD #Q59 Kevin Titman

Cooler temperatures permitted a dew to set-in prior to the 30 lap feature, the track ended up hooky in the turns and slick in patches; hard work for all.

Danny Reidy almost made it around the outside of Mann a couple of times and maybe, just maybe, would have got the job done if it wasn’t for the final red light with around 12 laps to go. Mann was too good off the restart and Reidy had to settle for second.

Kevin Titman was right in the mix with Australian Sprintcar champion Dave Murcott, both fighting equally as hard for third until Murcott backed it into the turn 3 wall, 13 laps in. Titman enjoyed some better luck and steered clear of trouble to take third; he was more than happy to load the John Titman Racing #59 into the trailer unassisted.

Luke Oldfield rolled out of turn 1 in the feature, 12 laps in, and although he DNF’d he’s likely to hold onto his second place in the KRE series with Titman remaining in third; the point’s difference too great.

KRE series leader Andrew Scheuerle crashed in his second heat. Substantial damage was done to the Ausdeck Patios and Roofing #25 but after qualifying second in time trials and a good first heat, Scheuerle had enough points to go straight through to 10^th in the A-Main; he eventually finished fourth and holds onto his series lead. 

Murcott had the speed in time trials; fastest with an 11.310 second lap. Racing in the first round of heats was fast with Ben Hilder, Mick Sauer and Brodie Tulloch all notching wins.

Murcott, Sauer and Luke Oldfield diced it up in heat 5, scintillating stuff as they repeatedly cut through each other’s wake however Mark Pholi, David Whell and Brent Kratzmann ended up with the heat wins.

Highest point scorer once again - Dave Murcott - drew the number #4 board to invert from fourth in the Lucas Oils Dash.  Eventual winner Bryan Mann chose not to take the Kratzmanns Caravans challenge; a wise move as it turned out.

In the Modlites, last night’s 20 lap journey was cut short and declared after a total of 6 stoppages; opposite to the feature at the last round which ran non-stop. Eight of the 22 contenders didn’t make the chequered flag and Chris Ruane walked away from a spectacular crash along the front-straight wall after contact with teammate Clayton Woodford.

Australian champion Jamie McHugh strengthened his lead in the Western Landscape Supplies/David Grose Real Estate Modlites Driver to America Series and led flag to flag in the feature.  Cliff Whitehill crossed the line in second and Dylan Menz converted his B-Main win to finish third in the feature; he’s likely to move up one spot into second in the series and replace Ruane – check out www.facebook/modlitesaustralia for full results.

Mitchell Gowland took the lead with 7 to go in the Wingless Sprints feature and didn’t look back. An inverted start in the Compact Speedcar division saw Australian champion Darren Vine win from the rear.  Ryan Skennar led the Formula 500 freight train from the get-go and he stuck it out to take the win and in the SSA Juniors, Maddie McGee showed the regulars the way to the checker.

Next week V8 fans will get their fix as the V8 Dirt Modifieds stage their Queensland Title. The Modified Productions return to continue the sedan tradition known as the ‘Cannonball’ supported by Lightning Sprints, Stock Cars, ASCF Four cylinder sedans and the FordvHoldenvSigma.  Check www.brisbanespeedway for ticket prices and times and check www.facebook/archerfieldspeedway for updates.

Get in early and buy online for our May 24 event; it’s the final round of the KRE Race Engines Sprintcar Series and the Polar Ice Midget Series.  Tickets are on sale now!

By Jodie Bell

Two to go for KRE Sprintcar Series

It’s the penultimate round of the KRE Race Engines Sprintcar Series this Saturday night at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway and Toowoomba’s Andrew Scheuerle is poised to round things up on top of the leader board for a second year in a row.  Australian Sprintcar champion Dave Murcott may prevent Scheuerle from amassing the ultimate points package this weekend but for Scheuerle to win another KRE Series, first he must finish.

              Andrew Scheuerle 

The Ausdeck Patios and Roofing #25 team have raced hard week-in and week-out and now have an impenetrable lead in the KRE Series.  Scheuerle’s plans of a clean sweep of both the KRE Series and the Queensland Club championship have been revived.

Scheuerle now leads the KRE Series by 144 points and leads the Queensland Club championship by 68 points.  With two rounds remaining, something major would have to go wrong for him to lose from here.

Things didn’t go well for Scheuerle at two rounds of the Easter Tri-City Shootout which allowed Luke Oldfield to close the gap to within 3 points of Scheuerle’s lead in the Queensland Club championship.  

Even though Oldfield finished third in the Queensland Title, Scheuerle strengthened his point’s standing in the Club championship and now has 1102, Oldfield remains in second on 1034 and Kevin Titman holds third with 842 points.

The KRE Race Engines Series top 5 remains unchanged – Scheuerle (1013), Oldfield (869), Titman (720), Darren Jensen (705), Danny Riedy (601).

Although absent from the nomination’s list, Danny Reidy is said to be racing this weekend.  The two-time Queensland championship runner-up is set for a top five finish in both the KRE series and the Queensland Club championship.  It was a disappointing result for Reidy a fortnight ago when the throttle jammed wide-open in the Desert Palms Resort #5 during the formation laps of the Queensland Title feature race at Archerfield.  He masterfully muscled the car away from others but the mechanical failure relegated him to the infield before the green flag dropped.

Surely lady luck will be on Murcott’s side this time ‘round at Archerfield.  He won the preliminary feature race on night 1 of the Queensland Sprintcar Title and was in the lead of the feature on night 2 when his engine just died.

Nominations for round 14 of the KRE Race Engines Sprintcar Series stand at 26.  Support divisions on Saturday night include the Modlites who will stage round 3 of the chase in the Western Landscape Supplies/David Grose Real Estate Driver to America Series.  The Compact Speedcars are also on the schedule as are the Wingless Sprints, Formula 500’s and the SSA Juniors.

Pit gates open at 3pm, spectator gates open at 4pm and there will be early racing from approximately 5pm with the main program commencing at 6pm. Check www.brisbanespeedway.com.au for prices and facebook.com/archerfieldspeedway for updates.

Smee Cements His 50-Lap Status

Racing last night at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway was a win for the fans on the hill. An intimate crowd wowed through multiple crashes and rollovers but the highlight of the night was the American Tire and Racing Services 50 Lapper Midget race. Sydney’s Nathan Smee cemented his status as a dominant of the distance off the back of a 50 Lapper win in Sydney last weekend.

Smee’s toughest adversary was five-time Kiwi champion and newly crowned Queensland Midget champion Michael Kendall.  Some bold moves and three early restarts aided their flight from an inverted fifth row of the start grid.  Kendall catapulted to the lead by lap 5 and Smee worked his way to second place by lap 10 but Kendall maintained a convincing lead until a fourth stoppage regrouped the field with 30 left to go.  Turn two started to take rubber while 3 and 4 became increasingly rough; busy work in the car and passing becoming a challenge.

The next 28 adrenalin-charged laps ran non-stop.  Smee’s battle with Kendall was elastic through lapped traffic; right on his tail and then back five or so car lengths repeatedly but Smee was patient and with 5 to go, made his move.  They raced wheel-to-wheel through turn 2, all the way down the back straight, continued through 3 then Smee took the lead out of turn 4 around the outside. 

A fifth race stoppage with 2 to go didn’t impact any and Smee cruised to the finish.  “I was just biding my time and then I tried to pick the pace up and I showed him (Kendall) the bottom and he got even quicker.  I tried all lines with 11 to go and I lost a bit on him,” Smee said on the podium.

It was a case of ‘so close’ for Kendall; he led for 40 laps and has never won a 50 Lapper.  “It was frustrating to get that far. The car was flawless. Nathan was on the spot when I got held up in lapped traffic and just ran me down at the end,” conceded Kendall.

Western Pool Supplies racer Anthony Chaffey put in a solid performance.  He locked down third place on lap 5 and maintained that position right to the chequered flag. West Australian Lee Redmond finished fourth but no such result for fellow Sandgroper Dayne Kingshott who became involved in a crash on lap 2; prematurely ending his race (and his season).  Chris Singleton rounded out the top 5 followed by Michael Harders, Brock Dean, Kiwi racer Brock Maskovich, Jason Bell and Brad Young.

Ten finished, ten did not. Brendan Palmer made a stoic recovery from a crash earlier in the night to meet the green for the A-Main but again, a misfire brought the Polar Ice car to a stop – this time with just one lap remaining. Scott Wilson was involved in a major crash which flipped his car to lordly heights in turn 3 on lap 5 of the Feature.  After scans last night he’s been released from hospital around midday today; very bruised and sore.

The top 9 in time trials ran sub-14seconds but the fastest lap went to Michael Kendall (13.413 seconds). Heat wins went to Rob McKay, Nathan Smee (x2), Brendan Palmer, Brock Dean and Rusty Whittaker.  Brock Maskovich didn’t achieve a result for time trials which put him well down the order but he pulled it together to win the B-Main and transfer along with Brett Thomas, Jason Bell and Scott Wilson.

The Stock Cars held their Queensland Title and Dudley Ward seemed assured of the win until half way through their Feature race, his right rear tyre launched into the air.  Martin Wilkinson and Shane French raced on, rounding up the field; Wilkinson took the Title with French in second and John Melbourne finishing third.

Matt Hardy won the AMCA Feature, in the 360 Spec Sprintcars Darren Silcock was triumphant, Tony Norton won the Lightning Sprint Feature and in FordvHoldenvSigma David Tookey trailed Bernie Wright but caught him right on the line to take another win.

Next week the Sprintcars return their penultimate round of the KRE Race Engines Series, supported by the Modlites who will stage round 3 of the chase in the Western Landscape Supplies/David Grose Real Estate Driver to America Series.  The Compact Speedcars are also on the schedule as are the Wingless Sprints, Formula 500’s and the SSA Juniors.

Check www.brisbanespeedway.com.au  for ticket prices and times also facebook/archerfieldspeedway for updates.  See you there.

By Jodie Bell

Can Smee Net Another Fifty Win?

The 2014 American Tires & Racing Services (ATRS) 50 Lapper at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway this Saturday night will be epic.  It’s the fifth running of the event and again, it’s allured a high calibre field. Ex Australian Midget champion Nathan Smee showed he has the goods after winning the 50 Lapper in Sydney recently; from the back of the field mind you. 

Prior to Smee’s 2014 Australian Championship defence at Archerfield in January (where he finished fourth) the Sydney based driver was undefeated in his last three appearances at the track.  Defending ATRS champion Adam Clarke won’t be racing but there are 25 other contenders that will attempt to go the distance.

Brock Maskovich knows what it takes to finish such events; he finished third to Michael Pickens and Bryan Clauson in the World POWRi Midget Championship 50 Lapper in New Zealand earlier this year and came second in the World 40 Lap Derby – to Clauson, Smee finished third. He has made the podium 11 times this season with 3 wins; some strong results this year – his racing career now 12 years in the making.   

Maskovich will leave his Auckland base to come and drive the Keith McAllen owned car that Adam Clarke drove to victory in this year’s Australian Midget championship.

During the off season Maskovich will fly to America and join Bryan Clauson Racing as part of Bryan’s ‘Driven Driver Development Team’ which includes racing all five nights of Indy Midget Week.

Michael Kendall was last year’s ATRS 50 Runner Up and has the speed this season. The five-time New Zealand midget champion had had plenty of podium finishes this year and recently added the Queensland Midget Title to his list of career achievements.

Kendall is just one of four ex-pat Kiwis racing this weekend - Gavin Websle, Kaz Fahey and Andy Hassan also call Australia home now and the trio will head north from New South Wales.

Clarke may be absent but West Australian contenders Dayne Kingshot and Lee Redmond will make every effort to take the title back across the Nullarbor.

This year’s POWRi SSS winner Brett Thomas has a strong chance.  After round 9 of Polar Ice Series at Archerfield a fortnight ago, Thomas is coming second in the point’s standings.  Michael Harders is in third, he’s found another car to run this weekend whilst his new car is still in the workshop.  Anthony Chaffey and Matt Greenwood are also strong contenders, both are in the top ten after round 9.

There’ll be fast racing within the support divisions - AMCA’s, 360 Sprints, Mcrosprints, Lightning Sprints, Stock Cars and the popular FordvHoldenvSigma. Pit gates open at 3pm, spectator gates open at 4pm and there will be early racing from approximately 5pm with the main program commencing at 6pm. Check www.brisbanespeedway.com.au for prices and facebook.com/archerfieldspeedway for updates.

By Jodie Bell

Murcott Means Business

Australian Sprintcar champion Dave Murcott carved his own groove all the way to the chequered flag last night at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway. There were minimal passing opportunities but he piloted the Mainline DynoLog Dynamometers #A1 ‘around the outside’ to take the Preliminary Feature race win for the Queensland Title.

He admits it’s only the first night but it was a relief to turn things around and make it back on to the podium.

Three restarts diminished Murcott’s lead in the feature but there was no way he was letting it go.  Brent Aprile challenged early on, he capitalised after assuming Luke Oldfield’s position on the front row alongside Murcott when Oldfield pulled out with engine issues just prior to the green flag. 

Robbie Farr held firm in second but just didn’t have the package on the night to go wheel-to-wheel with Murcott. 

James McFadden came on strong toward the end advancing from his seventh place start to finish third, Andrew Scheuerle also moved up the grid to cross the line on fourth but the drive put in by Shaun Dobson was a blinder; he finished fifth after starting from 14^th. 

Luke Oldfield will hopefully sort out engine issues and make the start tonight but maybe not so for Brent Kratzmann who is in doubt for night 2; also with engine issues.

Another to have engine issues is Garry Brazier but he’s confident he’ll make the start tonight but maybe not so for Trevor Green; word is he’s withdrawn from the event.  

Luke Oldfield and the JB Automotive team won Quick Time (11.880 seconds) and were one of only two to run sub 12 seconds; Dave Murcott being the other. Heat wins went to Darren Jensen (x2), Scheuerle, Shaun Dobson (x2) and Sam Walsh.

The top ten heading into tonight’s final reads 1. Dave Murcott (137 points); 2. Robbie Farr (120); 3. Andrew Scheuerle (110); 4. James McFadden (108); 5. Luke Oldfield (102); 6. Bryan Mann (102); 7. Danny Reidy (99); 8. Shaun Dobson (98); 9. Mark Pholi (94); 10. Brent Aprile (92).

The top ten after night one of the Australian Compact Speedcar Title is 1. Robert Stewart (75); 2. Darren Vine (70); 3. Scott Stirling (65); 4. Wayne Corbett (63); 5. Gary Hudson (63); 6. Craig Hickey (49); 7. Dave Collins (47); 8. Barry Gibbes (44); 9. Nicholas Hudson (44) 10. Chris Paolini (44).  As the top five suggests, last night they were in a class of their own.

Archerfield Promoter John Kelly anticipated records would be broken this weekend and as it turns out, he was on the money; 4 records fell… and nearly a fifth. 

Robert Stewart broke the 1 lap record for Compact Speedcars in heat 9 (14.440 seconds) and the 8 lap record in heat 5 (1 minute 58.789 seconds). In the Modlites, Australian champion Jamie McHugh broke their 20 lap record (5 minutes 28.247 seconds) and his son Lachlan broke the 15 lap record in the SSA Juniors (4 minutes 42.469 seconds) and took the feature race win.  Shaun Dobson was only two-tenths of a second off breaking the 10 lap Sprintcar record in heat 3.

The Modlites staged their ANZAC Day International Challenge and in the feature race Jamie McHugh led flag to flag.  Terry Leerentveld wasn’t too far behind in second and Cliff Whitehill crossed the line in third.  Chris Ruane came from way down the start order to finish fourth and Luke Whitehill rounded out the top 5; Canadian racer Josh Sliter finished 7^th.  The Modlites make two appearances in May for the final two rounds of the chase in the WLS/DGR Driver to America Series.

Tonight’s racing will be intense as Sprintcars and Compact Speedcars crown their champions of their respective titles on the final night of competition.  The Open Sedans and the Formula 500’s are support divisions so join us trackside for all the action; it’ll be white hot. 

Main gate opens at 4pm, pit gate open at 3pm and there will be early racing from approximately 5pm with the main program commencing at 6pm. Check www.brisbanespeedway.com.au for prices and facebook.com/archerfieldspeedway for updates.

By Jodie Bell

Dual Title Duels Ignite Tomorrow Night

Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway is set to stage a dual status event over two nights this ANZAC weekend and it all locks into gear tomorrow night, Friday April 25. A star-studded field of 29 drivers will see a clash of the titans in the Queensland Sprintcar Title and the Compact Speedcars will stage their Australian Title; a quality field of 25 has nominated.   

Former Australian Sprintcar champion and defending Queensland champion Robbie Farr will be looking to back it up. Since the early 1970’s the Queensland title has been run and won and only two drivers have claimed back-to-back wins - Steve Brazier and John Kelly.

Kelly is now the Queensland Sprintcar Club President and Archerfield Speedway Promoter and he anticipates records may be broken this weekend. “With this many champions in the field, we may see the first 10 second lap.  The track is in good shape; we’ve added some new dirt to the surface so hopefully times will come down.  It’s this time of year as we enter the cooler months that records tend to get set,” he said.

Six-time Australian Sprintcar champion and three-time Queensland champion Garry Brazier has found some recent form, he finished second in the Easter Tri-City Shootout but its winner – James McFadden – will be hard to beat.  2013 Australian champion Mc Fadden is the youngest ever, to have won the Queensland title when he was just 21 years of age and in his last handful of appearances, seems to be unstoppable.

Current Australian champion Dave Murcott is very fast but has had no luck of late. His abilities have been hindered by untimely wrecks, where he’s ended up a casualty, but surely his luck will change as Murcott is capable of much more than his 10^th place finish in the Tri-City suggests.

Queensland Sprintcar Club Treasurer and Race Director Mark Wode said it’s pretty rare to have four Australian champions stay to race after Easter.  “It’s going to be a titanic battle between the young guy (Mc Fadden) and the experienced war horse (Brazier).  Brazier hasn’t has a good year so it’s great to see him find some form and we’re thrilled to have him here.”

Andrew Scheuerle is also a former Queensland title holder and just as he seemed set to clench another Club championship this season, he’s crash at Maryborough last Friday has cost him significantly.  Luke Oldfield has now moved to within striking distance of Scheuerle’s lead in the Club point’s standings and Oldfield’s pace saw him finish third in the Tri-City last weekend.  

Kevin Titman enjoyed a feature race wins last Friday night, he holds a firm third position in Queensland Club standings with Darren Jensen and Danny Reidy rounding out the top five.  2014 Scott Darley Memorial winner Trevor Green will be a dynamic addition to the field; he’s climbing into the #36 Titan Garages car for the Queensland Title assault and all will be racing for over $30,000 in prize money this weekend.

Defending Australian Compact Speedcar champion Darren Vine has battled it out this season with the likes of Audie Malt, Cameron Pesschier, Wayne Corbett, Rob Stewart and Scott Stirling; all are nominated and the racing should be electric.

The format for tomorrow night reads time trials, qualifying heats and a preliminary feature for the Sprintcars.  The Compact Speedcars will also run their qualifying heats and support divisions scheduled are the SSA Juniors and the Modlites – who will stage the ANZAC Day International Challenge; Canadian racer Josh Slitter joins the field including ex-pat Kiwi Michael Kendall and current Australian champion Jamie McHugh.

Saturdays night’s format will see the Sprintcars run their remaining qualifying heats, Dash/Shootout, B-Main and feature race while the Compact Speedcars will also run their remaining qualifying heats and the final.  The Open Sedans will support as well as the Formula 500’s who have an alluring $1000 for the winner on the night.

Pit gates open at 3pm, spectator gates open at 4pm and there will be early racing from approximately 5pm with the main program commencing at 6pm. Check www.brisbanespeedway.com.au for prices and facebook.com/archerfieldspeedway for updates.

By Jodie Bell

State Title at Stake this Saturday Night

Newly crowned POWRi SSS champion Brett Thomas heads the list of Midget drivers that will converge on Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway this Saturday night to battle it out for the Auto Upgrade 2014 Queensland Midget State Title. It’s also round 9 of the Polar Ice Midget Series and several support divisions are running so it’s set to be a full schedule on the card and a great night at the Speedway.

Thomas continued his podium placing pace from his last appearance Archerfield a fortnight ago, with another podium finish in Sydney last weekend.  Third place at the final round of the POWRi SSS was enough to see him take out the 2013/2014 series.

The Polar Ice Midget Series round 8 results were unavailable at the time of this release but at the conclusion of round 7, Thomas was in second position behind Michael Kendall.  However, Kendall DNF’d the round 8 feature race so the tables may just have turned in Thomas’ favour. Regardless, it’ll be great to watch these two go head-to-head in the fight for the Queensland Title.

Nine out of the top ten contenders in the Polar Ice Series are nominated; Scott Jeynes (who is coming fourth in the series) is missing from the list after a wild ride in Sydney last weekend – he is recovering, no bones broken but he’s very badly bruised.

Michael Harders is running third in the Polar Ice Series but he’ll have an added challenge this weekend, he’ll be on a learning curve coming to terms with a different ride on Saturday night – his new caris back in the workshop. Anthony Chaffey is a strong chance, as are Matt Greenwood and Matt Smith who rounds out the top ten.

Twenty-one V8 Dirt Modifieds will shake the ground beneath you and all the ‘names’ will be there… Australian champion David Clark, former Aussie champ Mark Robinson, WA champion Brandon Rawlings, Andrew Pezzutti, Ray Klarich, Geoff Phillips and the list goes on.

The ongoing battle between newly crowned Queensland Lightning Sprint champion Scott Genrich and Titan’s Garages backed Peter Campbell will be an entertaining one.  They’re joined by a field of 11 in that category.

Darren Silcock heads a small but potent group of 360 Sprints competitors that are set to take to the track along with Microsprints, AMCA’s and the Brisbane Sedans.

Pit gates open at 3pm, spectator gates open at 4pm and there will be early racing from approximately 5pm and the main program commences at 6pm. Check www.brisbanespeedway.com.au for prices and check facebook.com/archerfieldspeedway for updates.