Sonic Speedway fires up for their first meeting of the season this Saturday night, with over 60 cars nominated across the evening.
The VAMPA Modified Sedans headline the night, with 26 cars nominating for the first round of their Series Competition.
Many of the hard charging drivers have had to re-shell their cars for the new season – including Brady Christie, Lachlan Fitzpatrick and Tristan McGraw – and will continue to push their new cars hard.
Other drivers to watch will be Mark Deckert, Jamie Paul, Darcy Wilson, Dale Hallet, Daniel Simpson, Dylan Barrow and ex-local Mick Boyle.
There will also be several women in action, including the returning Brooke Ferguson, who will be keen to win bragging rights over mum Karen, Bella Rizzoli and Kasey Garlick.
Wade McCarthy is well known on the podium and will be keen to be there again, while rookie Will Shane has already had a heat win and will be keen to do it again.
Limited Sportsmen make their debut at the speedway and, with a lightweight frame and a trusty 186 Holden red motor, will be keen to impress and entertain the crowd.
There will be plenty of experienced drivers with a reputation for being fast, including Bowen Dankers and Andrew Wilson, while Troy Curren, Katelyn Worthy and Mark Both will also be looking to push the faster cars to their limit.
Ex-Sports Sedan driver Russell Taylor will step into a fast car, while Bailey Wilson, in his second season, showed last year he is a quick driver.
GP Midgets run a rear mounted 1000cc motor bike engine and a rear wing in a small lightweight body and are surprisingly quick.
Ashley Booker – a three-time Victorian and also NSW title winner, and last season’s Championship winner – will be the driver to beat, although Chris Fowler, who won the 2019 and 2020 championships will be pushing hard to greet the chequered flag first, along with an improving Terry Brown.
David Bacon will be hoping a new engine will see an end to last year’s mechanical problems, Matt Kama and Jack Ward are driving older cars but are quite capable of upsetting the leading drivers, and Shaun Ward will be driving a car that has previously won titles – and with a new motor.
All Compact Speedcar drivers have reputations of being fast, competitive drivers who are keen to end up on the podium – and Mark Hutchinson is no exception.
Daniel James also races jet boats, so has little or no fear, while Mark Cecil has won a VIC 1 Title in GP Midgets and is A5 (Australia 5), so will be another driver to watch.
With a new top of the range engine, Matt Papa is also expected to be right up there, along with Tania Hallet, who showed that as well as having a great looking car, she has talent too, with top three finishes in all events last season.
Ex-local Aaron Stubbs has adapted to his new class well and will be waiting for a chance to sneak into the leading group.
Local Standard Saloon drivers Kiel Tripcony and Josh Campbell will have the returning Troy Higgins to help them hold off the visiting drivers.
Austin and Lachie Chivers, Michael Fleming and Aaron Meakins have all raced here before, while Patrick Walsh and Jacob Head will be eager to show off their skills.
With wet track specialist Claude Pearson, Leighton Warburton and adopted local Trevor Evans all not racing, the podium is up for grabs.
Local Juniors Blake Adam – who won last season’s local class – and the ever-improving Emily Hooten, will be challenged by Jacob Tinworth, Anthony Hanson, Riley Balins and Mia Lamb as part of an entertaining display.
Along with the on-track action, there will also be a demonstration of Vintage Speedway cars – both Sprint Cars and Super Mods – which should bring back some interesting memories.
Racing starts at 6pm, but the early birds can still wander through the pits and check out the cars up close.
Food and drinks will be available from the well-stocked canteen, while the grassed spectator area is very green, so bring a rug or chair to sit on, while trackside parking should also be available pending the weather. Be aware, we are a cash only venue, with no Eftpos facilities.
