Speedway in Australia awoke last week end from the winter slumber with excited crowds, great racing at Brisbane Supa Cheap and the Valvoline Raceway in Sydney.
Gates opened nice and early for the anticipated crowds keen to ignite their feelings and renew their support for their favorite race driver.
Sprint Cars were the main attraction at both Brisbane and Sydney.
Supa Cheap Brisbane headlined round one of the KRE Racing Engines Track Series where defending Champion Andrew Scheurle started his Title defense in rousing style. Setting fast time during qualifying was but the start , strong racing heat and Feature race wins reminded his rivals of his intentions to defend his title aggressively. The 35 lap feature attracted 35 entries.
Andrew Scheurle,Robbie Farr ,David Murcott Podium opening night Brisbnane
East Coast Logistics Robbie Farr had a race long battle with David Murcott before securing his second place finish. Murcott joined Scheurle and Farr on the KRE Podium to the applause of the opening night crowd.
It was the night where defending Champions sent out a clear message of their intentions to retain their titles .Michael Kendall like Scheuerle was dominating in the Polar Ice Series for the Mighty Midgets .
Kendall set the pace with the fastest time during qualifying. Eighteen cars faced the green with Kendall on pole and Anthony Chaffey alongside. The pair race together until Scott Wilson got it all wrong and ended upside down in turn 2. The starter got the remaining cars to the green and Kendall then set about controlling the race to the checker and start the year as the Polar Ice Series leader.
Brett Thomas and Scott Jeynes completed the Polar Ice Podium. The Polar Ice Series will continue throughout the summer with round two rolling onto Archerfield “Supa Cheap “Speedway October 26th.
10 hours drive south of Brisbane the Valvoline Raceway kicked off their initial season as naming rights sponsor for the Speedway. The long week end in Sydney offered spectacular competition for the opening round with the International Naval Fleet Review the Grand Final and the One Direction Concerts.
Valvoline Raceway captured a great opening night crowd with racing headlined with the first round of the Sprint car Track Championship and the 40 car field for the Demolition Derby.
No matter the circumstances they say the cream will always rise to the top and such was the case during the first round of the Sprint Car Track Championship. Struggling early Darwin based Pick& Payless Maxim driver Ben Atkinson managed to get the first transfer spot in the A main after winning the B.
Toby Bellbowen and Max Johnston bounced away from the start and disputed the race lead until a spinning car almost took Johnston out forcing the field into a restart.
Johnson had his car dialed in and raced in the lead and looked set for the race win. Ten laps out from the finish Johnston faced traffic with Dumnsey and Dobson and Atkinson arriving fast. Johnston changed lines through the corner as he moved past the traffic and then Toby Bellbowen spun and Johnston with nowhere to go slammed into the spinning Bellbowen and flipped high into the dark night sky .There was huge disappointment in the crowd and of course in the Johnson camp .
Many in the crowd thought that the race should have been called but the officials decided on a restart.
The Darwin based Atkinson in the Pick & Payless Maxim only needed the one chance as he rounded up Max Dumnesy quickly and race away to record the win in the opening round. Dumnesy brought home his Valvoline /GKR/Maxim home in second with former Australia Midget Champion Craig Brady joining the pair on the podium.
Ben’s win was even more amazing when you find out that he drove the transporter with the race cars aboard from Darwin to the Speedway .
Ben Atkinson wins opening night at Valvline Raceway
The Late Model Sedan Feature went to Nathan Disney beating home Robert Carrid and Michael Hickey. The Legend race went to Todd Davey.
The value of the Demolition Derby was once again supported by the enthusiasms of the opening crowd as the 40 cars smashed it out until the winner Brett Bliefnic was declared.
The next event at the Valvoline Raceway will October 12 for the War of the Wings
