Disappointments and surprises at POWRi Midget Shows

Disappointments and surprises at POWRi Midget Shows

There were disappointments and surprises at the POWRi Midgets shows firstly at Valvoline Raceway Sydney Australia and at the two night shows at Jacksonville and Macon Speedways in Illinois .

The build up to the final round of the Lucas Oils POWRi Speedcar Super Series sponsored by Diamond Air Conditioning was full of enthusiasm and excitement .A field of 33 cars with the best from across Australia plus the appearance of current Western Springs Track Champion Hayden Williams added fuel to what was already a red hot field. Series Leader and defending Champion Nathan Smee, and four times Australian Champion Adam Clarke are just a part of the sensational field assembled.

Valvoline wet track

Valvoline wet track

The weather looked shaking early but prediction of it clearing could not have been more wrong and the heavens opened forcing promoters to call it off early .A decision on a reschedule date will be announced shortly.

Programming so late in the season might pose some problems but the immediate focus is on this Saturday night when the track will host the Carling 50 Lapper. This event is high on the agenda of all speedcar driver’s schedule with good prize money. The field will be strengthened by the addition of current Australian Champion  Michael Pickens in the Bret Morris owned car .To see the A1 go around will be sure to heighten the energy and determination of every Aussie keen to prevent the Kiwi rustler from capturing another of our prestige’s races .

The POWRi two night show in the States at Illinois opened with friday nights Jacksonville POWRi show. The show attracted all the top POWRi racers and the quality field was swamped by the invasion of a six car Keith Kunz Motorsports Team headed by the return of 2015 /16 Chili Bowl Champ and current NASCAR Truck racer  Rico Abreu.

Headed by Abreu and backed by Thorson, Bayston, Macedo, Robinson and Holly Shelton the program looked stacked in the KKM favour.Could anybody have ever expected the best the team could deliver over the two nights was a second to Bryan Clauson in the Jacksonville opener and  a best place of fourth to Rico Abreu over the two nights. It was not only the KKM team that found themselves beaten but also the former POWRi Champ and Chili Bowl place getter in 2016 Zach Daum .  Clauson’s win at Jacksonville was his 30th POWRi Lucas Oils win from 77 starts and his 44th race in his 2016 200 race schedule.

The Jacksonville  results.

Great Clips Feature Winner: 63 – Bryan Clauson

Bryan Clauson Jacksonville

Bryan Clauson Jacksonville

POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series Feature Results (30 laps): 1. 63 – Bryan Clauson 2. 67 -Tanner Thorson 3. 91T – Tyler Thomas 4. 97K – Rico Abreu 5. 5D – Zach Daum 6. 32 – Garrett Aitken 7. 11A – Andrew Felker 8. 11AG – Dave Darland 9. 97 – Spencer Bayston 10. 71 – Ryan Robinson 11. 3N – Jake Neuman 12. 5X – Justin Peck 13. 91 – Dereck King 14. 41 – Austin Prock 15. 7 – Austin Brown 16. 67K – Holly Shelton 17. 9K – Kyle Schuett 18. 1K – Brayton Lynch 19. 31 – David Budres 20. 22 – Andy Malpocker 21. 88 – Terry Babb 22. 56Y – Daniel Robinson 23. 71K – Carson Macedo

Most of the established stars got into the action at Jacksonville but the Macon results would have been a surprise, particularly the way Andrew Felker went about his work and rounding up some of the more fancied stars in his run to the checker and the Feature win.

It is not often, in fact very rare for the Kunz Team to miss out on major Hardware. The efforts of Tucker Klaasmeyer, Austin Brown to get their spots on the podium were a reward for some hard work in preparation and steely determination. Klaasmeyer’s second was a career best and Browns podium was his first for the year. The fourth placed finish by Justin Peck was a fine result after starting way back in position 15. It was a night when the BOSS Chassis really BOSSED the field.

Klaasmeyer and Brown's BOSS Cars

Klaasmeyer and Brown’s BOSS Cars

Drivers interviews after the Macon show ,

ANDREW FELKER

“I knew we had a good car, but [Tanner Thorson] was getting better restarts than me,” explained a victorious Andrew Felker.  “I knew we had a good car, just a matter of finding our time to make it.  It’s hard to beat Keith Kunz cars any night and to have all BOSS cars up here is pretty special.  Right now we’re fighting for our lives, we’re out of sponsorship, and so as long as we keep winning races, we’ll be out here every week.”

TUCKER KLAASMEYER

Tucker Klaasmeyer heading back to pits after 2nd at Macon

Tucker Klaasmeyer heading back to pits after 2nd at Macon

 

“I can’t thank KBR and BOSS Chassis enough,” said Tucker Klaasmeyer with a career-best second.  “The car was awesome and this is actually my best finish in a midget, which is pretty cool.”

AUSTIN BROWN

“I knew it was going to be fast up top and it was,” Austin Brown said.  “Everybody kind of lined up, but we had to look out for all the wrecks, but we got through most of them.  Congrats to Andrew Felker on the win.”

The Macon results , .

Great Clips Feature Winner: 11A – ANDREW FELKER

Andrew Felker Macon

Andrew Felker Macon

POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series Feature Results (30 laps): 1. 11A – ANDREW FELKER 2. 27 – TUCKER KLAASMEYER 3. 7 – AUSTIN BROWN 4. 5X – JUSTIN PECK 5. 88 – TERRY BABB 6. 5D – ZACH DAUM 7. 97K – RICO ABREU 8. 32 – GARRETT AITKEN 9. 3N – JAKE NEUMAN 10. 41 – AUSTIN PROCK 11. 50 – DANIEL ADLER 12. 67 – TANNER THORSON 13. 56Y – DANIEL ROBINSON 14. 56X – MARK CHISHOLM 15. 67K – HOLLY SHELTON 16. 31 – DAVID BUDRES 17. 28 – KORY SCHUDY 18. 97 – SPENCER BAYSTON 19. 91 – DERECK KING 20. 9K – KYLE SCHUETT 21. 71 – RYAN ROBINSON 22. 71K – CARSON MACEDO 23. 91T – TYLER THOMAS

The next event on the POWRi Lucas Oils 2016 schedule is Bell-Clair Friday April 29th .

Photo credits Valvoline Raceway,POWRi , Klaasmeyer Racing

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Smee cracks it up a notch in Brisbane

Smee cracks it up a notch in Brisbane

Nathan Smee

Nathan Smee

Nathan Smee’s recent form continued last night with his second successive round win for 2015 in the Diamond Air Speedcar Super Series at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway
Wining form is good form and with an ounce of luck tossed in for good measure Smee found the top step of the podium last night. Round 2 Presented by American Tire and Racing Services had 26 drivers start by running qualifying with fast time going to Lee Redmond over Adam Clarke, Matt Smith, Michael Stewart and Dyane Kingshott

Stewart,Smee,Clarke  Pic-Archerfield Speedway

Stewart,Smee,Clarke
Pic-Archerfield Speedway

Heat race wins went to Adam Clarke twice and one each to Mark Brown, Braydan Willington, Paul Murphy and Michael Stewart
Young Wilmington continues to impress and his effort in heat 3 of holding out Chaffey, Stewart and Smith over the 10 lap journey was one of the highlights. Later in the feature Willimgton appeared to get into the rear of Michael Harders with the Queenslander ending into the wall and a nasty looking roll over. Racing incident, poor judgment strangely the race stewards took no action and young Willimgton escaped being sanctioned. Thankfully Harders was not injured.

Mark Brown was all class in the dash after heading Redmond at the start and earned pole for the 30 lap Feature. The early part of the race was all about the Brown Dog of old as the Peter Ghent Spike/Hawk raced comfortably in the lead until the first stoppage on lap 14 .Brown headed infield with a problem and his impressive charge was over .There was much confusion at the time with Remond stopping mid-track and fellow sand groper Kingshott spinning his Q3.Both drivers were sent rear of the field for the restart .Redmond complained that he only stopped when he heard instructions over the one way driver communications of Red being displayed .

On the restart Nathan Smee found himself in the race lead courtesy of the Redmond .Kingshott incidents. Once in the lead it was put the glasses down as Smee put the second round win into his bag.

Michael Stewart had race in second position right from lap 18 and endured many stoppages before finishing behind Smee and ahead of National Champion Adam Clarke.
Feature Race results Rd 2 Diamond Air Speedcar Super Series
1 N7 Nathan Smee
2 N51 Micheal Stewart
3 A1 Adam Clarke
4 Q4 Anthony Chaffey
5 Q78 Jeremy Hassel
6 Q28 Rusty Whittaker
7 N89 Braydon Willmington
8 Q9 Dayne Kingshott
9 Q6 Lee Redmond
10 Q48 Brad Young
11 Q2 Jason Bell
12 Q26 Chris Singleton
13 Q5 Rodney Harders
14 Q10 Ken Stanaway
15 Q21 Mitch Haynes
DNF Q14 Michael Harders
DNF S3 Mark Brown
DNF Q18 Matt Hefford
DNF S6 Paul Murphy
DNF N87 Aiden Corish
DNF Q19 Darren Vine

Round three of the Diamond Air Speedcar Super Series is set to fire up December 5th December 2015 at Valvoline Raceway (format honouring George Tatnell) (Granville, NSW)

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The only summer storm at Powri Lismore was the Hunter Valley Hurricane

The only summer storm that threatened the Lismore Speedway and round three of the POWEi Speedcar Super Series was the Hunter valley Hurricane aka Adam Clarke.
A reduced field of 20 competitors arrived at the Lucas Ols Lismore Speedway as a result of the frightening storm experienced last week in Brisbane.

Storms over Lismore

Storms over Lismore

Clarke and the Jack Berry Racing  Polar Ice Team fired the warning shots early in the night by setting the quick time for the night over Nathan Smee and Michael Stewart.
Smee and Clarke headed the points tally going into the Feature, Smee 103 Pts to Clarke 101

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The defending POWRi SSS Queenslander Brett Thomas started his night in the worst possible way with a flip during the hot lap session. The Illuminated Team repaired the race car but Thomas could not get back the lost momentum and did not figure in the final placings.Lismore has not been kind to Thomas during last January’s POWRi World Midget show Thomas suffer a terrible crash just past the pit entrance .

Clarke inside fron lifts as he charges under Smee at Lismore  Pic credit Tony Powell

Clarke inside fron lifts as he charges under Smee at Lismore
Pic credit Tony Powell

The two best Speedcar drivers is the country Smee and Clarke shared the front row as they rolled to the start. Smee on the pole, Clarke on the outside.
Right from the start this was looking like a 30 lap match race and the first part of the race certainly did not disappoint. Clarke was strong right across the groves and was holding back Smee’s attack. As the race developed Smee would start to fall off the pace depriving the crowd of a terrific finish, a slowly deflating right rear tire was the culprit. Smee held on long enough to finish 5th and still grab dome valuable POWRi point s.
With Smee his main challenger out of contention Clarke took the JBR Polar Ice #1 across the line a comfortable winner from Michael Stewart and young Queenslander Rusty Whittaker.

Powri Podium Lismore

Powri Podium Lismore



 
The full finishing order at Lismore:: Adam Clarke,Michael Stewart,Rusty Whittaker,Mitch Brien,Nathan Smee,Aiden Corish,Brendan Palmer,Michael Harders,Troy jenkins,Dean Merryless,Brett Thomas,Jason Bell,Jason bell,Paul Murphy,Dean Meadows,Mark George,Glen Shaw,Andy Hassan,Brock Dean,Reid McJay,Brad Young

The POWRI SSS point after round 3:

Photo: Fast and furious Championship points update! We have a new leader! What a show! Bring on Nowra!

Round 4 of the series heads down to the beautiful Shoalhaven area of the South Coast of NSW .The home of Nowra Speedway. Saturday night December 13th POWRi SSS Night

The Shoalhaven river Nowra

The Shoalhaven river Nowra

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October4 and Speedway down under is new and fresh

The paint jobs are fantastic, engines rebuilt and team invigorated for the opening rounds of Speedway after the winter break down under.

Sydney Valvoline Speedway credit

Sydney Valvoline Speedway credit

New owners ready to bring a new approach to Sydney and the Valvoline Speedway. Track renovations that give the long suffering but loyal race fans better facilities across the venue .The excitement builds and the time to start those engines and get into the action is near, Saturday October 4th it all restarts at Sydney, Brisbane and Murray Bridge. Before you can catch your breath Speedways across the Country will be back entertaining race fans and with your lungs well and truly rested , your thunderous cheers for you favorite driver will bring back what has been missing throughout the winter close down .

Big show featuring World Series Sprintcars, the 10th running of the POWRi Speedcar Super Series and the second year of the Speedcar Pro Series.
The US season is now into the back end of the season and Australian and New Zealand fans will get the opportunity to see firsthand some of America’s best..

Danny Holtgraver just one of heavt hitter from the USA heading down under

Danny Holtgraver just one of heavt hitter from the USA heading down under

The exodus at season ends of many of the US starts is just another gift that Speedway promoter brings to satisfy the appetite of the locals.
The POWRi World Midget Championship that will run in Brisbane Lismore and New Zealand and we  will see USAC and Chili Bowl Champ Bryan Clauson along with Tracey Hines head the US challenge .Kraige Kinser will travel to Western Spring with the adopted Kiwi Jonathan Allard where they will be pitted against New Zealand’s best. Add Robbie Farr and former Australian and World Series Champ James McFadden for one hell of a challenge.

A new track surface is being laid at Western Springs for the new season

Western spring get a new raceing surface  Pic credit Western Springs

Western spring get a new raceing surface
Pic credit Western Springs

New cars, new drivers and great new liveries will make this season one of the best for many years. No matter where you live, Speedways are firing back up for your enjoyment and we will bring you all the results that matter, news when it happens. Australia, New Zealand and the USA we are Talking Speedway.

Great livery on the Bennett Motorsports car in WA that Mark Brown will run the Speedcar Pro Series

Great livery on the Bennett Motorsports car in WA that Mark Brown will run the Speedcar Pro Series

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Smee wins in Sydney but Thomas is POWRi Champion

POWRi Progress: Sydney April 6th 2014

Smee pounces and takes the final round of the 2013/14 Lucas Oils POWRI Speedcar Super Series at Valvoline Raceway. But it was Queensland Brett Thomas who takes the Championship home to Queensland.

POWRi Champion 2013/14 Brett Thomas

POWRi Champion 2013/14 Brett Thomas

Thomas’s third placing secured the Championship win over Matt Jackson and Troy Jenkins.

After a nervous week when rain threatened and Kiwi ace Brad Mosen joined one of the strongest field to assemble for a POWRI SSS meeting the final night for the POWRi Championship has beaten off Speedways arch villain THE RAIN.,YES!

Starting out of position 5 Thomas was able to take full advantage of late stoppage with two laps to run and gets under Jamie McKinlay and secure the final podium position behind Smee and Matt Smith.

Nathan Smee and Matt Smith raced from the front row with Smee controlling a comfortable lead over Smith to the finish. Smee was fastest during the qualifying in his American Tire and Racing Services Mark Cooper owned car and although Smith tried to keep in touch he never looked likely to threaten.

The POWRi Lucas Oils Night was marred by a nasty tangle between three cars that sent Queensland Scott Jeynes into a wild flip. Once back in the pits Jeynes collapsed in car owners Terry King trailer and need medical support, after the paramedics managed to stabilize Scott they transported the Queenslander to Westmead Hospital for observation.

Brad Mosen’s quick trip across the ditch to sub for Queenslander Scott Wilson was disappointing as he suffered engine problem early and made only a lap or two after starting at the rear in the A main before retiring to the infield .

The final race results and the POWERi Championship tables:

30 Lap A Main:

Nathan Smee wins at Valvoline Raceway

Nathan Smee wins at Valvoline Raceway

1st   Smee,2nd  Smith, 3rd Thomas,4th  Mckinlay, 5th Brien, 6th M Jackson, 7th T Jenkins, 8th Stewart, 9th Chaffey, 10th Hassan, 11th Hefford, 12th Meadows.

DNF: D Jenkins ,B Jackson ,R Harders,G Wesble ,M Harders ,B Mosen NZ ,A Collins

Lucas Oils POWRi Championship results :

Final Championship positions POWRi 2013/14

Final Championship positions POWRi 2013/14

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