By Andrew Ferguson
The Sonic Speedway fires up again this weekend with over 70 cars competing on Saturday and Sunday night, including the Victorian State Title for Super Rods and the Pioneer Cup for Formula 500s.
Twenty-two Super Rods will put on a quick, noisy and very fast show as they fight it out for the right to wear the highly sought-after VIC 1 on their car.
Defending VIC 1 Neville Gange will be racing flat out to defend his title from some very talented drivers, including Jamie May, Shaun Walsh, Michael Coad, Jacob Pitcher, Tommy Marco and Dane Court.
However, there is plenty of talent midfield as well, including Jason Kavanagh, Bob Wilson, Stan Marco Jnr and Clinton Scott, who will all be waiting for the leaders to slip up – as will Stan Marco Snr, if he can get his motor back together.
There are also a number of drivers in their first or second seasons who have heaps of potential and are quite capable of causing an upset, including Jason Poustie, Bailey Pitcher, Daniel Hookway, Jamie Ackland and West Makin.
Experienced drivers Troy Gleeson and Corey Deglaitis are having their first runs for the season, while Stacey Jacks will be the only female driver out there, but can be relied on to put on a good show – as can the veteran of the field George Woolstencroft, who in his own words “is capable of anything”.
The pressure will also be on ex-Sprint Car driver Grant Stansfield, who will be driving his dad’s car.
With other tracks cancelling meetings, nominations are still rolling in, with about 20 Sports Sedans already nominated. Quite a few drivers will be racing here for the first time, but locals Zoey and Paul Salau – who will drive one night each – both know the track back to front.
Marc Hanson, who must be due for a trouble-free night – along with Tristan McGraw, Lachlan Fitzpatrick, Graham West, Lucas Condor, Jye Saunders and Zac Swanson – have also driven here plenty of times. The winner should come from this group, although Shaqkira and Paul Blake, Kasey Ferguson, Jack Houlahan, Dakota Laverton, Jason Berger, Jack Brennan and David Barrie will be hoping to prove me wrong.
Standard Saloons will have their largest field for quite a while, with locals Kiel Tripcony, Claude Pearson, Josh Campbell and both Andrew and Aaron Marshall trying to hold off first-time visitors Austin and Lachie Chivers, Allan Danks and Bailey Sinclair – while Trevor Evans will also make a welcome return and will be hard to beat. With more late entries expected, the Sporties and Standards will definitely be close and well worth watching.
The Juniors always put on an entertaining battle, with all of them lowering their lap times each meeting they race. Anthony Hanson would appreciate a trouble-free night, while locals Rebecca Johnstone, Emily Hooten and Blake Adam will be keen to do their best in front of the local crowd. Most of the visitors, Levi Blake, Jacob Tinworth, Cobie McGraw and Anthony Walsh, are siblings of other drivers and will be also be keen to do well in front of them.
Formula 500s nearly have all their cars ready for their unofficial State Title – the Pioneer Cup – and as usual, family bragging rights are up for grabs – with Jess and Neil Bedggood almost equal on wins and DNFs along with Mal and Colin Gammon. Jamie Crabbe, will be hoping to stay right side up, while first year drivers Terry Knowles, Jordan Caddy and Tom Nietvelt will once again be hoping to sneak onto the podium. Andrew Maconachie will make his long-awaited return to the class and will be hoping he hasn’t lost any of his driving skills.
Gates open at 1pm, so you can check out the cars in the pits and talk to the drivers, with racing to start at 4.30pm on both nights. Good luck to all drivers, drive safe and bring the cars home in one piece.
