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Meeting Report 26th April
Phil Hall - Track Announcer -posted Tuesday March 29, 2008

Well, the last meeting for the season certainly was one to remember, and a great way to finish what has been a memorable season.

6 separate divisions were on hand and it was a frantic night of racing. We had Compacts, F500’s, (contesting the final round of the TriSteel Premier driver Series), MicroSprints (contesting their NSW Title), Mod Prod sedans, Street Stockers and 1600’s .

Last meeting we saw the amazing Chas Norman sweep the F500 field in the #5 car and the car was back, but not with Chas driving. Apparently Kenny, Chas’s dad, wasn’t real happy that Chas had blown up a $13000 motor in the Feature so, according to Kenny, he had to sell Chas to buy a new one! Ken did say that last fortnight’s meeting had been only the first time that Chas had driven the car, though. God knows how good he will be once he’s had some practice! In any event, Kenny proved to be a pretty fast peddler himself (I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, eh?) and he won one heat and finished 2nd in the other 2 ! The other two heats were won by Keith Levy and Barry Burrows. The heats were bruising affairs with lots of wheel-banging and line-stealing. Brave guys, these F500 drivers!

The Feature looked like another Norman affair and so it proved. Kenny quickly got to the lead and ran away and hid. Despite several stoppages, he controlled the restarts and won from Michael Baxter in the beautiful RG500-powered car and Keith Levy.

A great field of Compacts were on hand again and we certainly need to thank the Compact division for the way that they have supported the speedway this season. They were contesting the Wal Platt memorial Trophy, commemorating the late Wal Platt, one of the founders of the Compact division back in the 1960’s, so there was plenty of incentive for the drivers to put it all on the line, and so they did.

Heats were won by Carl Yenne, Steven Birkett and Paul Reynes, though it must be said that the usually dynamic Reynes was having a very quiet night. The Harrigan Ford Support Team was in fine voice and Birkett went into the Feature as the crowd’s favourite at least!

The Feature was all action with Birkett quickly coming from down in the pack to snatch the lead and control the race despite several stoppages. Victoria’s Keith Astrella was the best of the rest and did look a chance until after half-race distance when Birkett began to pull away through intelligent use of the lapped traffic. A mix-up while lapping saw Astrella fall victim to the fast-finishing Yenne and the locals had heaps to cheer about as the local drivers got the quinella. Finally, Birkett was able to lay the ghosts and combine both speed and reliability.

Street Stock Sedans were light-on with their NSW Title having been run and won and the Club Championship also decided. Nonetheless, they turned on some good racing with Bruce Clark, Andrew Tyma and Ray Fowler taking a win each in the heats. Come feature time and Tyma looked the man most likely, but no-one had counted on Fowler battling his way to the front and then holding off all the challengers. Darren McDougall got 2nd after a dismal run in the heats and Tyma was eventually able to snatch 3rd in the shadow of the flag.

MicrosSprints are one of the fastest divisons at FSPNS, as far as lap times are concerned, and these little 250cc two stroke/450cc four stroke machines turned on some dazzling (and very brave) racing. Rhys Marchant won the first heat and wasn’t seen for the rest of the night after a roll-over in heat 2. Brett Sainsbury won heat 2 and the Queenslander, Les Nelson, won heat 3.

Despite some discussion up in the box, I always felt that Nelson was going to be “the man” and so it proved. Nelson started from pole and was never headed, avoiding all the carnage behind and using the traffic intelligently late in the race. The Queenslander became the NSW Champion ahead of Brett Sainsbury and Billy Roberts’s 4 stroke car, piloted on the night by a young stand-in whose name I failed to write down (sorry).

Mod prods were also down on entries, but provided some good racing anyway. I’m guessing that their Shannon Civil Driver’s Pointscore has also been decided! Alan Marskell won all 3 heats and the Feature to gracefully retire the Darkes Road Automotive Commodore on a winning note. Wayne Olive (one-time owner of Canberra’s Fraser Park Raceway) was on hand in a very pretty and very fast Mazda RX7 and he took 2nd in the Feature after a race-long battle between he and Bobby Hamilton was resolved right near the end when Olive pinched up Hamilton behind a lapped car and scooted by.

And so it was to 1600 Sedans. Unsurprisingly, heats went with pole, with Gary Peers, Bruce Irvine and Tim Wonson taking a win each. It was Wonson on pole and Peers beside him for the Feature and Peers showed his hand at the drop of the green. Obviously unwilling to try and find a way around Wonson after Turn 1, Peers, using his vast experience, bounced the less-experienced Wonson on the run to the green and camped down on the poleline himself! Since the heat races had already proven that the man controlling the pole line should win, it was really all over in the first few seconds.

A spirited battle between the 2 front wheel drive cars of Wonson and Irvine enlivened what could have been a processional race with Irvine eventually getting the better of Wonson in the final laps. Peers cruised to another victory, the Datsun driver having totally dominated the season in this division, retiring the 1600 as the winningest car of 2007-2008.

And so the season closed. The fans went home happy and it was an entertaining trophy presentation as well.

The Committee of the Wollongong City Speedway Club has asked me to pass on to you, the fans, their deepest appreciation for the way that you have supported them with your attendance this season. Thanks too, to all the officials and helpers who have made the 2007-2008 season such a success.

And, of course, thanks to our many valuable sponsors without whom we simply wouldn’t have been able to go racing at all.

Tentative programme for 2009-09 sees the first meeting of the season being the traditional Practice meeting on Saturday night 18th October. See you then.

 

Season Finale Quick News
posted Sunday March 27, 2008.

Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway rounded out the 2007-2008 speedway season last night. The NSW South Coast had endured intermittent rainfall for the last fortnight, creating plenty of headaches for track staff. The forecast blue skies and sunshine on Saturday were a welcome sight with a great crowd on hand to watch some exciting racing in six divisions. Formula 500's were first onto the track with Kenny Norman setting the pace which would see him go on to a feature win in the final round of the TriSteel NSW Premier Driver Series. Modified Production, Street Stock and 1600 Sedans provided competitive racing as always. The Wal Platt Memorial for Compacts went to Steve Birkett, finally making it to the top step of the podium. Microsprints contested their NSW Title with the crown going to Queenslander Les Nelson.
Detailed race report to follow.

 

Full Program for Speedway Season Finale
Mac Campbell - Nowra PR posted Thursday March 24, 2008.

Parking space in the pit area will be this Saturday night with 6 different divisions nominated for the Season Finale at the Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway.
Compact Speedcars, Modified Production Sedans, Street Stocks, Microsprints, Super 1600 sedans and the sensational Formula 500s will ensure that even the most fussy of speedway supporters will be entertained as the 2007/08 racing season draws to a close.
Fans of open wheel speedway racing will be well catered for with 3 divisions competing. Compact Speedcar veteran Rob Eyeington will be looking to end his season at Nowra with consecutive feature wins after breaking through for his maiden win at his previous appearance back in March. He will face stiff competition from Wollongong’s Steve Birkett and local Bay and Basin pair of Terry Clarke and Carl Yenne.
Microsprints will make only their second appearance of the season when they recontest their NSW State Title.
But all eyes will be on the lightning fast Formula 500s who will be contesting a round of their state wide Tri-Steel series. It is expected that several of the quickest drivers in the state will compete at the meeting thus ensuring the crowd will see some top shelf action, the F500s are very impressive with their straight line speed on the super fast Nowra clay.
Supporters of tin top sedan racing will not be left out with 3 divisions racing on the night.
Sydney Commodore pilot Chris Sims will be shooting for his second win in as many starts in his Mr Filter sponsored machine when he takes on the Ford brigade lead by Bob Hammond. Sims drove a good race to win the final 3 weeks ago and then his luck ran out once again in the final round of the NSW Modified Sedan Series at Goulburn a fortnight ago. He had a terrible run in the series and finished with only 1 solitary point from 4 rounds held throughout the season.
Street stocks and Nowra’s local division the Super 1600 class sedans will round off the final race meeting of the season.
Gates will open at 3pm and racing will kick off an hour earlier at 5pm to allow families to get home at a more reasonable time as the nights get much cooler.
Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway would like to thank their supporters, volunteers & officials, and most importantly the loyal fans for their support throughout the season and look forward to seeing everyone again when the new season kicks off again in October.
Please remember, “Stay safe on the roads and keep the racing on the track”.

Local Reporter Revved Up
Illawarra Mercury April 15, 2008.

 

Nowra Speedway Easter Saturday
Mac Campbell - Nowra PR posted Wednesday March 19, 2008.

Shoalhaven speedway fans will be in for a treat of 5 star speedway excitement when the speedway’s own versions of V8 Supercars, the mighty Super Sedans invade the Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway this Saturday night.
Bring the family and make sure you’re trackside for all the action when these 600hp Monaro’s, Pontiacs and Fords take to the super fast 400m Nowra clayway.
Some of the states leading tin top chauffers have nominated for the event including Gunnedah’s Barry Towers, big bad Bernie Roberts and Sydney’s Keith Sims in his brutish Holden Monaro.
It has been many seasons since the Super Sedans have raced in Nowra and the drivers are anxious to take to the track and put on a great show after their first scheduled meeting back in January was washed out.

Supporting the Super Sedans this weekend will be the wild and wingless NOS sprints who will contest the first ever running of the South Coast Title for this exciting new division who made their NSW debut here in Nowra in December last year.
This will be the first title race of any sort in NSW so several drivers will be giving it their best shot to try and be part of speedway and NOS Sprint history in this state by taking out the very first title event.
NOS Sprint racing has been a revelation in Nowra this season and already they are gaining a steady support base in the Shoalhaven and surrounding areas. This meeting is expected to attract entries from Victoria where the NOS Sprints have been racing for a couple seasons now and are running with quite strong fields. Several of the drivers will be making their first appearance at Nowra and as such are unknown quantities as we go to press.
That won’t be the case for Mark Garey, Craig Skeene, Jon McCorkindale, Warren Maybury and 18yo female racer Monique Neve have all competed at the previous 3 outings on the Nowra clay and no doubt will have a little home track knowledge come the opening races. Both Monique Neve and Jon McCorkindale are former Junior Sedan drivers who have taken to these very quick and tricky open wheelers as if they have been running them all their lives. McCorkindale in particular was very impressive during a recent shake down run at the National Capital Speedway a couple of weeks ago. With Saturday night’s entry list aiming to get into double figures for the first time the racing should be nothing short of spectacular.

Modified Production Sedans will be having their last outing prior to the running of the final round of the 2007/2008 NSW Modified Sedan Series that will be decided at the Goulburn Speedway the following Saturday April 12th.
Nominations are also very good in both the Super 1600 and Street Stock sedan classes in particular the Super 1600’s for the running of the Dave Green Memorial. Formula 500’s are also on the program.

If all that is not enough to whet even the hardest to please speedway fans appetite then hang onto your seat for the bash and crash of the Demolition Derby to finish the night off.
So whatever you do, make it a date this Saturday night April 5th at the Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway for another dose of high octane dirt track action.
Action kicks off at the Albatross road venue at 6pm sharp with gates open to the speedway public at 4 o’clock. Please remember stay safe on the road and keep the racing on the track.


Nowra Speedway Easter Saturday
Mac Campbell - Nowra PR posted Wednesday March 19, 2008.

Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway will resume this Saturday night after a 3 week layoff with an action packed meeting that includes a metal crunching Demolition Derby.
Super 1600 Sedans will take the spotlight this weekend when they contest the annual “Dave Green Memorial” race that is held each season in memory of the late Dave Green who lost his life several years ago in a tragic road accident.
Wollongong’s Chris Green, who is the brother of the late Dave Green, will be putting in the extra hours along with his crew to ensure his Weld Force/Drum Master Nissan is in tip top shape as he goes all out to for either a win or at least a podium finish in the race that honours his late brother.
No doubt the driver everyone has to beat is Garry Peers who has been in sensational form this season in his old but super quick Datsun 1600. Peers has won several feature races this year including the recent South Coast 1600 Sedan Title and will be the race favourite this week without a doubt.
Both Peers and Green will have to contend with a strong challenge from the likes of fellow Wollongong drivers Brendon Hatherley and young hard charging rookie Tim Wonson.
The Memorial race is one of several highlights with another appearance of the exciting NOS Sprints who will have more cars on the track this week after 2 very exciting meetings earlier in the season.
Some of the regions heavy hitters have nominated for the Modified Production Sedans. Two drivers who have confirmed they will compete are Cullen Bullen pair of Ray Healey and Shane “The Assassinator” Duggan who will debut his new Commodore this weekend in Nowra.
As usual they will be up against the Super Sydney Sedan Stars namely Brad Bassett (Ford) Bob Hamilton (Ford) and the Holden pair of Chris Sims and Allan Marskell along with a number of other drivers on the night.
Anyone that has seen the Modified Sedans as they are known will remember the champagne racing they have turned on throughout the season, and Saturday night should be no different.
The exciting NOS Wingless Sprints will have a hectic schedule this weekend as they are set to appear at the Gilgandra Speedway in the central west of the state on Friday night and then pack up for the long drive to Nowra to race on the following night.
Two drivers who I am looking forward to watching are young charger Jon McCorkindale who actually hails from the town of Young and Australia’s new “Lead foot Queen of Speed” Monique Neve. At the tender age of 18 years of age this young lady has taken to the quicker and more competitive open wheel class like a duck to water and shown immense potential and I have no doubt she is a real star of the future.

Street Stock Sedans make up the remainder of what should be a very exciting meeting that will finish with the biff and barge, bash and crash of the metal crunching demolition derby.
So remember that all roads lead to the Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway this Saturday. As always gates open around 4pm with the on track action kicking off at 6pm, so bring the family for an “Easter Feast of Speed”
Please remember in the interests of Easter road safety that the “Track is for racing” and the roads “are for getting there”.

Action Aplenty..

The V8 Late Models were certainly the stars of the show on the first night of Autumn on a very racey Nowra surface. In their last hit-out prior to the NSW Title to be run at Gunnedah in a fortnight, the big V8's showed that there really is no substitute for horsepower. Greg Cassidy, Darryl Grimson and Neil Wallace took out heat wins, with reigning NSW and WA #1 Scott McPherson (pictured at right) victorious in the 20 lap feature event ahead of Cassidy and Dean Smith.

Victorian hard charger Matt Astrella set a new altitude record in the second heat of the Compacts. As the field made their way toward the end of the main straight the V27 machine rode a competitors wheel and launched skywards. Astrella soon discovered that Compacts can't really fly as the nose of the machine pointed back towards the ground. Shaken but not stirred the plucky Victorian was able to walk away. Compact heats were taken out by runner-up at the recent Australian Title Craig Smith, picking up the first two before having engine woes, Carl Yenne took out heat three with Rob Eyeington leading home Yenne and Steve Birkett in the feature.

Modified Production Sedan honours went to Alan Marskell ahead of Brad Bassett and Chris Sims.

The Juniors raced in two seperate groups - this is a driver development division and the emphasis is on giving them the right feedback and encouragement as they learn their racecraft. Aaron Barnes showed his ability in the #55 Laser with a great Feature win ahead of Steven Gallagher and Tyler Bradford. In the second group it was an all female affair with Monique O'Hehir showing them a clean pair of heels.

Track photographer Mac Campbell on the spot as the V27 gets air

 

Maximum Action Photography's Nathan Whitehead captures "Air Astrella"

 

Rob Eyeington - Compact feature winner - Mac Campbell photo

Compacts. Steve Birkett 3rd, Rob Eyeington 1st, Carl Yenne 2nd - Mac Campbell photo

Junior Trophy Winners - Mac Campbell photo

Modified Production. Chris Sims 3rd, Alan Marskell 1st, Brad Bassett 2nd - Mac Campbell photo

 

See the Maximum Action Photography video highlights of this meeting here

The next meeting at Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway will be Easter Saturday March 22nd

 

 

 

 

Six Categories Line up for Speedway Thriller

Mac Campbell - Nowra PR

Be Trackside this Saturday night when the Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway reverberates to the rumble and sound of a full field of 650hp American Style V8 Late Models as the take to the 400m Nowra clayway.
The third appearance of the season by these “sheet metal monsters” is only one highlight of a very exciting meeting that features no fewer than 6 racing divisions on the one program.
Also competing on the same program are the wheel hiking Compact Speedcars, the ever exciting Modified Production Sedans, the 14 – 17 year old young guns in the Junior Sedans, Super 1600 Sedans and the Street Stocks too.
Canberra’s Scott McPherson will again lead a strong field in the Late Models with strong support From Sydney’s Darryl Grimson, Ken Croft, Lyle Dicker and Nathan Disney.
Last start feature winner Alan Oates will be shooting for his second consecutive main event win along with the most travelled driver in the field Neil Wallace who will make the long trip form the Grafton/Coffs Harbour region.
Paul Raynes will be shooting for 3 feature race wins in a row in the Compact Speedcar class on Saturday night after surviving the battle of the fittest last meeting when he was one of only 3 cars to finish a race marred by crashes and an unusual number blown motors to claim a well deserved win.
Albion Park driver Steven Birkett will be hoping for a bit more luck after showing some real form at the last meeting only to pull out mid way through the final at the last meeting. This talented young charger has hit a patch of good form of late and will no doubt throw out a serious challenge in the early heats leading up to the all important feature race.
With no racing for the NOS Sprints this weekend for the Neve family the spotlight will be on the youngest of the talented racing sisters Rachel who will compete in the Junior Sedans. Rachel is one of the most talented female sedan drivers in the state with numerous race win under her belt in the last few seasons. It won’t be long before she will be looking for a new division to compete in once she turns 18. Let’s hope we see the Neve sisters Rachel and older sister Monique both serving it up to the fellas in the NOS Sprint division in the very near future.
Modified Production Sedans will be back for another play in the Nowra clay this weekend and haven’t they provided some brilliant racing for the fans this season. First with the second round of the NSW Modified Sedan Series, then the much talked about Test Match between the rival Ford and Holden camps in January, then another action packed meeting in Round 3 of the state series only a couple of weeks ago. With such a hectic schedule since Christmas the guys will be looking forward to a more relaxed meeting this weekend. Modified Sedan race organiser Brad Bassett is trying to put together a special meeting to see out their season at Nowra around Easter time which should attract some of the top runner from surrounding areas as Nowra Speedway is building a reputation as one of the leading tracks on the east coast for this class of racing. Several drivers will be out to impress tomorrow including Bassett, fellow Falcon driver Bob Hamilton along with the Commodores of Alan Marskell and Chris Sims who captained the Holden team recently.
All this action to wet anyone’s appetite and then there will also be the Super 1600’s and Street Stock sedans to provide their own brand of exciting action.
If its high octane adrenalin action you are after then tomorrow nights meeting should have something to please even the most astute motorsport fan.
So be trackside when all roads lead to the Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway this Saturday night, gates open at 4pm and first race at 6pm.
Please remember in the interests of road safety that the “Track is for racing” and the roads “are for getting there”.

 

Speedway Weathers Storm for this Saturday

Mac Campbell - Nowra PR

Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway will go ahead with their programmed meeting this Saturday night after a super human effort by loyal club members who have worked tirelessly to repair the damage caused by massive volumes of water that swept through the venue during the fierce storm and torrential rains that lashed Nowra last week.
At one stage it is believed that the entire infield area was under a metre of water, so strong was the rush of water sweeping through the track that it moved most of the huge tractor tyres that weigh several hundred kilos and washed them up the other end of the track.
With just about all the work completed it is back to business and organisers have put together a very exciting meeting with not one but two open wheel divisions and a South Coast Title to appeal to all supporters of speedway racing happy.
Speedway’s most exciting new division, the NOS Sprints will make a return appearance after a successful debut in NSW at Nowra on December 29.
Known as the National Open Sportsman or Wingless Sprints this division is set to go ahead in leaps and bounds in coming season and provide a cheaper entry level into open wheel sprintcar type racing and provide a stepping stone for any driver with aspirations of running the full V8 Sprintcars further on in their careers.
Central west driver Jon McCorkindale will be shooting for his second feature win at Nowra after winning the first ever NOS Sprint feature here last December.
Two drivers who will do the utmost to challenge the talented young driver are Craig Skeene who won the feature at Gilgandra recently and lead foot lady racer Monique Neve who has come on well since making her open wheel debut in December after a successful career in Junior Sedans.
It’s a big welcome back to the Compact Speedcars who will be making their first appearance at Nowra since their National Title meeting held recently in Maryborough Queensland which was won again by Victoria’s Danny Stainer.
A good field of some 16 cars has nominated which include some of the heavy hitters from NSW including Shoalhaven veteran Carl Yenne who finished a credible 8th in the recent Australian Title after coming through from the last chance B-main.
Sydney drivers Mitch Biner, Anthony Wilson and Rob Eyeington will all be out to try and stop fellow Sydneysider Paul Raynes from making it two feature wins in a row after he showed a clean set of wheels to win the feature at their last meeting in Nowra on January 12th.
One driver who will be hoping for a change of luck is Jeremy Evans who rolled his car several times at the last meeting and he will be hoping he can recapture the form that saw him win a feature race earlier in the season.
A strong line up is expected to contest the 2008 South Coast Super 1600 sedan Title with several local and visiting drivers hoping to walk away with the coveted South Coast No1.
Wollongong’s Gary Peers has been in good form this season along with outstanding rookie Tim Wonson who has been a revelation this season after stepping up from the Junior Sedan division this season.
Other drivers who will be in with a real chance include Chris Green in his Weld Force Datsun along with current track champion Brendon Hatherley who has been in some good form of late.
Street Stock sedans and those cheeky little Dwarf Cars will make up the balance of what should be an exciting program of clay track action.
Remember all roads lead to Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway this Saturday. Gates open at 4pm and the action kicks off at 6pm. See you on the clay.
Please remember in the interests of road safety that the “Track is for racing” and the roads “are for getting there”.

 

Race Report - February 2nd

Phil Hall - Track Announcer

Saturday’s meeting at Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway took place under completely clear skies, which few would have expected given the lead-up to the event. After a week of heavy rain, the track actually came in to a very impressive racing surface, although negotiating the pits and the infield was quite a challenge for drivers, crew and officials.

On hand was an impressive line-up of AMCA’s, 1600 Sedans, Street Stockers, Speedway Karts and a huge entry of Modified Production Sedans, on hand to contest Round 3 of the Shannon Civil NSW Modified Production Sedan Championship. The Feature Race for this class also was set down as the South Coast Modified Production Sedan Title race, a title which Brad Bassett in the Shannon Civil Falcon would be defending.

The track started out as a very slick affair, with traction hard to find and with the surface cutting up badly. However, a couple of races in and a little bit of water in the back straight and T’s 3&4 and it matured quickly into a track that even the Karts were able to use.

AMCA’s quickly settled in to a battle between Shane Cartwright, Karl Skelton and the two Chant brothers. These cars may only have 253 cube engines, but they sure haul ass. The Feature saw Laurence Chant head out to an early lead after assuring himself of a good starting position through the heats with Karl Skelton chasing hard. After winning Heat 1, Shane Cartwright found himself starting from well back in the pack with a lot of work to do. Stoppages and attrition took their toll and the closing laps saw Chant untroubled but Skelton fending off a spirited challenge from Cartwright. Trouble with lapped cars saw Shane lose his last opportunity to press for 2nd and he contented himself with 3rd. A very entertaining show from the AMCA’s.

AMCA Feature Winner - Laurence Chant - Mac Campbell photo

Only a handful of karts were on hand with Neville Britton being the stand-out and a very impressive first-out showing from Natalie Genner. In the Feature, Britton wasn’t anywhere near as charitable to the lady as he scooted around the outside of the pole-setter and disappeared. A great battle between Mark Wintle and Ray Goodger raged for the whole 8 laps with Wintle getting the last spot on the podium.

1600 Sedans are still without the presence of Max Delaney and “Herbie”, Max still waiting on vital engine parts for the VW from the USA after his massive blow-up a few meetings ago. It was a big “welcome back”, however, to South Coast Champion, Brendan Hatherly, who drove like he’d never been away, winning every heat race and easily leading the Feature until a few laps from the end when 2nd gear failed. Still, as Brendan said, “Better to have this happen tonight than on the 16th (when the South Coast Title is up for grabs)”. Hatherly’s misfortune was Gary Peers’s fortune as he won the Feature from Tim Wonson with Hatherly lasting for 3rd.

Street Stocker’s numbers were boosted by an influx of cars and drivers, Nowra benefiting from the rain-out at PCR the night before. But nobody was to even get a look in when the AU Falcon of Glenn Mitchell hit the track. Mitchell was in imperious form and the imported drivers have certainly raised the bar a few notches above our local competitors in this class. Mitchell duly won the Feature from Nigel O’Niell in a Commodore and Brett Mitchell, Glenn’s brother, in 3rd.

Street Stock Feature Winners - Nigel O'Neill 2nd, Glenn Mitchell 1st, Brett Mitchell 3rd. - Mac Campbell photo

 

But it was the Shannon Civil Modified Production Championship Round 3 that was the star attraction. The heats were bruising affairs, as is usual when a Title or a Championship is on the line. Much panel damage and biffing typified the heats and pointscore leader, Kevin Sherwood was in the thick of it and anxious to secure pole in the Feature, which he did. Other drivers to win heats were the amazing Josh Gale in his Nissan 300ZX, all the way from Trangie in the far west of NSW, Chris Sims, Alan Marskell, and Bob Hamilton.

So, it was Sherwood on pole with Marskell outside him. At the flag, Marskell made his intention very clear by sweeping across the front of Sherwood in T1 and then driving one of the best defensive races I’ve seen in while, despite a raft-load of stoppages. Sherwood kept tapping him on the back bumper but Marskell drove brilliantly and quickly and Sherwood had no answer. Finally, in the closing laps with hopes pinned on a local victory, Marskell coasted to the infield with two flat tyres after a big hit from the VL Commodore of Rod Granger who had made his way up through the pack and was ready to swoop. I should add that Granger had already passed Sherwood who had had a big shunt with Brad Bassett that allowed Granger and a couple of others through.

Bassett destroyed any chance of a successful defence of his South Coast Title by getting jammed up with the car of Freddy Murphy about 5 laps from the end. It required the two tilt-tray trucks and some man-power to separate the cars.

In the end it came down to a 2 lap sprint race and Granger took the points and the Title from Lindsay Cornwall and Kevin Sherwood. As usual, a Title race worthy of the name.

Mod Prod Feature Winners - Lindsay Cornwall 2nd, Kevin Sherwood 3rd, Rod Granger 1st. - Mac Campbell photo

 

Next fortnight, 16th February sees the Compacts, NOS Sprintcars and the South Coast 1600 Sedan Car Title race.

Modified Prod Sedans and AMCA's this Saturday.

Phil

This Saturday Night promises to be an action packed at Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway. The strongest field of AMCA's for several seasons is set to make the trip to the super quick Shoalhaven circuit. A number of drivers are backing up after contesting last weekends Australian Title at Mildura.

Round three of the Shannon Civil Modified Production Sedan Series has drawn more than twenty nominations. The success of the recent Ford versus Holden Test Match proved that there is little between the two makes. With the inclusion of a few other varieties including a Nissan 300ZX and Mazda RX7, the 25 lap feature which also doubles as the South Coast Title is expected to be keenly fought.

Also on the program are Street Stocks, Super 1600 Sedans and the return of the Speedway Karts.

For a great family night out get to Nowra Speedway, Albatross Road this Saturday.

Gates open at 4 with racing from 6pm.

 

 

Australia Day at Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway.

Phil Hall - Track Announcer

A great crowd turned up last Saturday night to celebrate Australia Day and they did it in style with the feature event being the running of the NSW Litre Sprintcar Championship.

22 cars were on hand so the heats were both well patronised. Australian, Queensland and NSW defending champion, Sean Barnett was on hand to give the other competitors something to chase and the smart money was on him, his recent form having being outstanding.

Support classes were the Street Stock/Modified Productions who ran combined races due to small numbers in both classes, 1600 Sedans and the Fender Benders from PCR.

In the pits beforehand I spoke to Sean Barnett’s Crew Chief and he said that there wasn’t going to be any “stack up the points in the heats and hope for a reasonable grid spot in the final” racing from his driver. He said that, rather, “We’re going to start the Title race from pole and then make the rest of the field pay.”

And so it turned out. The heats were furious affairs, although, to their credit, the drivers in all the classes managed to get through to Race #9 before there was a stoppage of any sort. Queensland’s Dave Fanning looked like the man most likely, the screaming Suzuki motorcycle engine’s exhaust note contrasting with the lower-revving car engines in the other cars. Shane Cooper and Andrew Johnson were also expected to challenge, but Johnson had a very subdued series of heats and looked anything but championship material going into the Feature.

And what a Feature it was. 4 early race stoppages, all for roll-overs set the scene, the 2nd of which eliminated both Cooper and Fanning. There were several more before the race was over, but, with Barnett starting from Pole and streaking away after every re-start, it was going to take something very special to deprive him of the title. Barnett cruised to an easy win over Andrew Johnson and Scott Lewin to successfully defend his NSW Title.

Street Stocks were dominated all night by Glen Mitchell in the Falcon with Richard Elliot and Graham Betts filling the minors in the Feature.

The Fender Benders were, in my opinion, a major disappointment. There was none of the bashing and barging we have come to know and enjoy from this category, the drivers instead just racing, apparently saving their cars for an upcoming title meeting. However, the question must be asked, “If you weren’t going to put on a show, why did you bother turning up?”

1600 Sedans saw a spirited battle in every race between Tim Wonson’s Corolla and the Datsun 1600 of Gary Peers. Honours were even going into the Feature, but Wonson held on for a determined win over Peers and Bruce Irvine.

This Saturday night, the 2nd February, features the AMCAS, Speedway Karts and the 3rd Round of the NSW Modified Production Sedan Championship.

Bash and Crash returns to the Speedway

South coast speedway fans will be in for a smorgasbord of exciting action over tomorrow night when Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway presents a night of “bringing back the biff”.
25 cars including 2 of the best from Queensland have nominated for the 2008 NSW Litre Sprintcar Title.
Defending champion Sean Barnett will have his work cut out when he puts his title on the line against some of the top drivers on the east coast.
Fellow New South Welshman Craig Geering, Andrew “scary” Johnson, Matt Reed and Shane Cooper will be doing all they can to wrestle the No1of the tail tank of Barnett’s Pulsar powered Stealth racecar.
Throw in the two Queensland hot shoes Dave Fanning and Scott Doyle and you have a real race on your hand in the title A-main. Fanning has performed well on previous visits and will give Sean Barnett a real run for his money.
For lovers of the not so serious side of speedway racing it’s a case of bringing back the biff with the first appearance of the ever popular Fender Benders with up to 16 Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway’s leading lunatics making the trip to Nowra to entertain those fans starving for some good old biff and barge.
If there’s not enough carnage on the track from the Fender Benders then hang onto your hats for another dose of crash and collision with little precision from the 6 cylinder Demolition Derby to finish off the night.
Supporting the program will be some great racing from both the Super 1600 sedans and the ever popular Streetstocks. The stockers as they are affectionately known have been putting on some very entertaining racing this season led by the current track champion Dave Ford who will be fresh from his solid performance in the recent Ford v Holden Test match at the track.
Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway will be conducting two meetings in row on consecutive weekends with the return of the Mighty Modified Sedans for round 3 of the 4 round NSW Modified Sedan Series.
Those who were present last December will remember round 2 and the memorable duel between Kevin Sherwood and Ray Healey in one of the best races ever seen at Nowra.
All the top guns are expected to be here for the penultimate round of this very exciting series which has seen two different winners of the two rounds conducted so far.
But for now, remember all roads lead to Albatross road tomorrow for a night of exciting action at the Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway. Gates open at 4pm and the action kicks off at 6pm. See you on the clay.


Mac Campbell
Fire Service Plus
Nowra Speedway Press Liaison.

Ford v Holden - What A Night

The Ford v Holden test match for Modified Sedans last night was a great spectacle. Regardless of whether you are a Blue or Red supporter, the event provided excitement for all. The Blue Oval brigade led by two points after the first four heats. Goulburns Peter Granger was called in from the reserves bench for Alan Marskell after engine woes, and again when Shane Duggan inverted the 47 Commodore. The Holdens pulled that back to level at 24 all after heat 8. The top four pointscorers dragged it out over four laps in heat 9, with Kevin Sherwood leading home Peter Granger and Chris Sims. Three points each for that and even at 27 all going into the final. Twelve laps later and a Holden race win was overshadowed by the minor placings and the overall event win going to the Fords - 44 points to Holdens 43.

Track Announcer Phil Hall filed this race report:

Race meeting report 12th January 08.

Saturday 12th of January saw the return of Test Match racing to the Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway. However, instead of what was the traditional proponents, Australia and the USA, a new rivalry was exploited.

At the suggestion of track photographer, Mac Campbell, we ran a Ford vs Holden match race series and what a sensational meeting it was. Sponsored jointly by the local Ford and Holden dealers, the meeting comprised 8 heat races with two Holdens and two Fords in each heat. Then there was a Semi-Final featuring the top two Ford pointscorers vs the top two Holden pointscorers and then an all-in Test match Final over 12 laps. Points were awarded on a 3,2,1, basis with the 4th place finisher not scoring in each heat.

The Holden team consisted of Richard Elliot, Alan Marskell, Chris Sims and Shane Duggan. Peter Granger was Reserve.

The Ford team was made up of Kevin Sherwood, Dave Ford, Brad Bassett and Bob Hamilton.

On paper, the Ford team was favourite, but it didn’t quite work out that way in the heats. The Holden boys, knowing they were a little out-gunned, came out firing and muscled up, taking the fight to the Fords in some brutal, no-holds-barred racing. At the end of the first 4 heats, Ford was ahead 13-11.

In the 2nd round of 4 heats, the Holden team hit back with Reserve driver, Peter Granger showing that there’s still plenty of life left in a 10 year old VL Commodore. At the end of the 4 heats, Holden had levelled the series, 24-24.

So to the Semi Final. Again, Sherwood was victorious, but the Holdens packed the minor placings to leave it all tied up, 27-27 going into the final.

So to the Feature. Again, it was brutal affair with the Holden drivers knowing that it was all-or-nothing. Despite their best efforts, however, the Ford drivers turned the tables and packed the minors to run out winners by just one point, 44-43.

What a sensational night of racing. Almost completely overshadowed were the support classes, Street Stock, Compact Speedcars and Junior Sedans.

Juniors unearthed another new star in Aaron Barnes who showed maturity and skill beyond his years to dominate the heat races. Unfortunately, rain intervened and all but the Compacts Feature had to be abandoned. Their Feature was won by Paul Reynes over Tony Auselbrook and Rob Eyeington, the Feature being run without a stoppage, a most unusual occurrence.

But the night was totally dominated by the Holden vs Ford Test Match, a brilliant concept and one which is sure to be repeated, hopefully in the near future. Congrats to all concerned and especially to Mac Campbell and to the Track Management who believed in the idea and took the punt on it being successful.

 

The Ford and Holden Teams on the parade lap - Mac Campbell photos

Clerk of the Course Ken Holbrow flags off Heat 1 - Mac Campbell photo. The pace was too hectic even for someone as experienced as Ken. Despite each division having its own moments as some of these photos show, Ken was the only one taken away in the ambulance. After a lie down and a check over Ken was released and allowed to go home. We wish you well Ken.

 

Ford Top Poinscorers

Bob Hamilton, Brad Bassett, Kevin Sherwood - Mac Campbell photo

 

On two wheels..................... then upside Duggan - pics from Luke Whitehead

 

The Compacts had their share of woes .....

Compact Driver Jeremy Evans takes a tumble - Mac Campbell photo

 

And so did the Street Stocks ....

 

 

 

Ford v Holden rivalry explodes tomorrow night

Mac Campbell Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway Press Liaison.

Speedway fans will be in for some real hot action tomorrow night when Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway presents a “knock em’ down, drag em’ out” Ford v Holden test match for Modified Sedans.
Good old fashioned test match style teams racing has not been seen in NSW for more than a decade and both teams are chomping at the bit to get amongst the action.
Billed as the 2008 “Warfare on 2 Wheels” organizers have put together two very competitive teams of Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores, so the racing should be close, hard and fast all night.
Big news for the Ford camp this week is the inclusion of Goulburn lead foot Kevin Sherwood in his near new current model BA Falcon.


Fans that were present at the last appearance of the Modified Sedans back in early December will remember the epic battle the Ford No1 had with eventual winner Ray Healey in the 2nd round of the NSW Modified Sedan Series.
It was one of the best sedan races this writer had seen for many, many years when Sherwood ran on the outside of his fellow Ford rival and only inches from the fence for 23 or the 25 lap final only to finish second by half a car.
Local hero Dave Ford (that’s his real surname) is really excited about making the team and after finding out how the format works last weekend can’t wait to be let loose against his Holden rivals.
Partnering Kevin Sherwood will be the “Sleeper” of the Ford team, the driver I refer to is Bob “Hamo” Hamilton who knows the Nowra track better than most and has won several races including a feature race in the past and could be the real surprise packet for the blue oval brigade.
Last member of the 4 member Ford team is Brad Bassett, another who calls Nowra home, Bassett who was originally from Sanctuary Point has since immigrated to Sydney still calls the Nowra Speedway home and has the added responsibility as team captain can be counted on to be somewhere near the top of the point scorers board on the night.


Holden fans won’t be let down either with outspoken team captain Chris Sims promising some real fireworks from his very well balanced Commodore Team. Sims knows the Nowra track very well and has been partnered with the experienced Richard Elliott who has won feature races in the Streetstock division in the past.
The second pairing for the Holden team will feature Alan Marskel from Wollongong who loves the Nowra clayway and always puts on a good show with his sideways style of driving.
Last but not least is the “Assassinator” Shane Duggan who will campaign the No 47 Portland automotive Commodore that was built and once owned by former Liverpool City Raceway sedan legend Brian Callaghan, that explains the number as Callaghan only ever ran two numbers in his career, the No1 when he was champion many times and of course his famous No 47 that carried him to many, many victories.
Format for the test match is simple; two cars from each team will race in 8 x 4 lap heats with points awarded on a 3-2-1 basis competing against each and every driver twice before the two top scorers from each team meet in a 4 lap screamer.
Then a little later in the night all 8 cars will meet in the 12 lap final with points awarded on a sliding scale from 10 for first to 1 each for 7th and 8th place. The team with the most points at the end of the night is the winner.
There will be giveaways including vouchers from Stevan McCarty and the team at Nowra City Holden for the best dressed Holden fan and similar giveaways for the best FORD fan too. So wear your red or blue or make up a banner to show who you support on the night and add some real colour and atmosphere to the nights racing.

The test match is not the only event on the night to keep you on the edge of your feet in what promises to be a very exciting night of speedway entertainment.
Victorian Father and Son team of Keith and Matt Astrella will tow their cars all the way from Melbourne yet again to compete against the very strong NSW line up in the Compact Speedcar division.
A strong field of 18 cars has nominated including the Shoalhaven trio of Tony Aulsbrook, and bay and basin pair of villains Carl Yenne and Terry Clarke. Clarke could be the one to throw the cat amongst the pigeons tomorrow after a very impressive display at the last meeting he contested in Tamworth just before Christmas. If his car will adapt quickly to the new Nowra surface he could be a real force come feature race time.
Others to watch include Steven Birkett in his Harrigan Ford blue 63 machine. Son of former super modified driver of the 1970s Alan Birkett, the young Albion Park driver put up a great showing in the recent NSW title at Nowra when he finished a very strong 3rd place.

Stephen Birkett - Mac Campbell photo


If you are a 14-17 year old and are looking for something to do on a Saturday night then be trackside tomorrow for another exciting dose of action from the “Young Guns” in Australian speedway, the Junior Sedans.
These “tearaway teens” as I call them always put on a great show whenever they race in Nowra and believe me these young guys and girls (several of the drivers are female) can get around a 400m speedway just as quick as many drivers with years more experience.


To round off a good night of dirt track action will be the ever improving Nowra Streetstocks who have slowly been increasing their car numbers as the season goes on and put on some very spirited racing.
Veteran car owner Warren *taught him all I know” Watt has added yet another Commodore to his stable for his racing sons which takes the total to 3 cars. He has been a breath of fresh air for the stocker and if he keeps adding to his stable the next test match may well be a Ford v Watts affair.


Everyone associated with the speedway would like to wish all our fans and drivers a very happy and safe 2008 and remember all roads lead to Albatross road tomorrow night for meeting No3 in our “Triple Treat of Speed” at the Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway.

Gates open at 4pm and the action kicks off at 6pm. So bring the kids for a “Night at the skids”.

 

Holden v Ford War on Wheels at Nowra Speedway

Mac Campbell Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway Press Liaison.

Holden and Ford Speedway supporters from far and wide will gather for a tribal meeting of the red and blue faithful this Saturday night when Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway presents the Ford v Holden “Warfare on Wheels” Modified Sedans Test Match.
Teams racing returns to NSW and Nowra Speedway for the first time in more than a decade and what better way to celebrate it than with a teams clash between the two most popular brand names in Australian Motorsport.
Organisers have put together 2 very good 4 car teams of Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons to contest the meeting based on the old USA v Australia test matches that performed to packed venues in the 1970’s and 80’s.
For people who have never seen sedan teams racing before, the format is very simple. 8 x 4 lap heats, with 2 cars from each team scoring points on a 3 for 1st, 2 for 2nd and 1 point for 3rd system.
After the 8 preliminary heats the two highest point scorers from each team run of in a 4 lap screamer with points on a sliding scale from 10 down to 1. The team that scores the most points in the declared the winner.
There will be giveaways on the night for the best dressed Holden and Ford fans so everyone is urged to wear any Holden HRT or Ford FPV memorabilia or Red or Blue for to support your choice of team.

A strong support program of Compact Speedcars, Junior Sedans and Streetstocks will keep the fans on their feet throughout the meeting.
Victorian Father and Son pair of Keith and Matt Astrella will make the long trip up to compete in the Compact Speedcar races. Both drivers absolutely love the tacky 400m “D” shaped Nowra track and have become virtually our adopted sons, competing at almost every meeting featuring the Compacts in the last two seasons.

Remember to wear your red or blue this Saturday night as all roads lead to the Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway’s “Warfare on Wheels” and should be a great night out for any speedway or motor racing fan.
Gates open at the Albatross road venue at 4pm and first race kicks off at 6pm, so who will it be Ford or Holden, only way to find out is “BE THERE”.


Super Sedans Shun Shoalhaven

The management of Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway regret to advise that due to circumstances beyond our control, Super Sedans are unlikely to appear as advertised this Saturday January 5th.

This is a severe blow to the South Coast (NSW) track, especially at the high point of the season when the Shoalhaven region is packed with holiday makers.

Since taking over operation of the track three seasons ago members and supporters of the Wollongong Club have worked tirelessly to improve the venue and broaden the variety and quality of racing. After many years without a track the former operators of the historic Kembla Grange Speedway were offered the Nowra venue which was set to cease operation. It was a big step, but the Club took up the challenge to take over the 400 metre clay circuit and do their best to continue speedway in the region.

Nowra management were devastated to find just days before the event that Super Sedans were unable to honour their commitment to race this Saturday. Track Manager Phil Bramley says "I am just blown away. We offered an opportunity for these guys at their request, to add another track to their options and reintroduce Supers to the area. The date was offered, agreed and committed to months ago. We are aware that the National Series is in progress. This was proposed as a club show. That is what they wanted. We never expected a twenty car field.

"The part that really gets me is that I have had so many calls and emails of apology! We have advertised heavily in TV, radio and print media. We don't want apologies, we want your cars. Every second person blames someone else."

No doubt there are many and varied reasons for not getting cars onto the track. The ASCF must be encouraged to take steps to ensure no other track faces a similar fate in future.
Highest on the agenda should be addressing the disfunction and division between the factions in Super Sedans in NSW.

Nevertheless, those competitors who were prepared to make the event will unfortunately and unfairly shoulder the burden of blame for those who weren't so committed.
Nowra Speedway sincerely thanks them.

Weather permitting, racing will go ahead with or without Super Sedans at Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway on Saturday night.

 

 

Race meeting report 29/12/07

Phil Hall - Track Announcer

Meeting #4 of the 2007-2008 season saw a glorious summer night with plenty of water being added both before and during the night to combat the rapidly-drying track.

On hand were the 1600 Sedans, Dwarf Cars, Street Stock Sedans, NOS Sportsmen, and the booming Late Model V8 Sedans.

Late Model heat races were pretty well spread out with Dicker, McPherson and Grimson having a win each. The races were, as usual, bruising affairs, with a lot of panel damage happening even before the Feature kicked off.

Come the Feature and the surprise leader was Alan Oates, in a car that looked like it had been run over by a monster truck. Daryl Grimson looked the danger from grid spot 2 but he got tangled with a lapped car and was ROF at the restart. Winner last time out, Canberra’s Scott McPherson started well but was shuffled well back in the pack in the first couple of laps and spent the rest of the race brawling his way to the podium positions. At ¾ race distance he tangled with Neil Wallace and rode his back wheel down the main straight. The resultant collision launched the #7 car right into the air, but it came down pointing straight and, amazingly, McPherson didn’t even lose a position.

A couple of laps later he finally passed the Port Macquarie driver, Wallace, to secure 2nd, but, by this stage, Oates was long gone and cruised to an easy win. The Late Models surely lived up to their awesome reputation around the Nowra layout.

Two new divisions made their debuts on Saturday night. The first were Dwarf cars, a speedway version of the tar-track Aussie Race Cars. These tiny sedan-type cars are powered by an up-to1000cc motorcycle engine and will certainly prosper if they can solve some reliability issues and also get some bigger fields. An interesting experiment.

The other division was the NOS (National Open Sportsman) Sprintcars. These are already proving popular in Victoria and are certainly a promising experiment. The cars are powered by a stock-standard, pre-EcoTec Commodore V6 engine and run without wings. There were 5 cars on hand for their first run at Nowra and 5 cars fronted for the Feature, an encouraging sign. Adding spice to the field was the appearance of our own Junior driver, Monique Neve, her first run in the car and her first run in anything other than a 1600cc sedan. She circulated at respectable pace at the back of an experienced pack of drivers and got faster and faster as the night went on. Way to go, Monique!

The heat races had been shared between Jon McCorkindale and Craig Skene, and they fought out an engaging 15 lap Feature with Mark Guerie getting the last spot on the podium. According to the Club Secretary, he is presently holding applications for 26 car numbers in this division, so it looks set to grow, and we’d certainly like to see them back at Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway.

Street Stock Sedans were dominated, to non-one’s great surprise by the track Champion, Dave Ford, who also did double duty driving the water truck during breaks between heats. In fact, Dave missed one of his heats because of it. Such dedication! Ford won the 15 lap Feature from Ray Goulden and Shane Walters.

Finally, the 1600 Sedans. The heat races were rugged affairs with Max Delaney being eliminated early in the night with engine problems and a big shunt with Bruce Irvine. Michael Grant won a heat, but the rest of the night belonged to Gary Peers in the Datsun. Peers was the Feature winner as well over Michael Grant and Bruce Irvine. Peers is certainly racking up the points early in the season.

Special thanks have to go to Warren Watt and Dave Ford who put in a full day’s work on Boxing Day to make sure that the track was ready.

The evening finished with an entertaining 4 cylinder demo derby and everyone went home happy.

This Saturday night, January 5th, will be the 2nd of the 3 night Triple Header and will feature the NOS Sprinters again, AMCA’s, 1600 Sedans, featuring the Dave Green Memorial Trophy race.

Don’t miss it.

 

 

Nowra Speedway host first NSW NOS Sprint event

Last night the NOS Sprints hit the track at Nowra. While only five cars were in action, drivers and cars performed well, showing the potential of the category. Jon McCorkindale took out the feature event from Craig Skene and Mark Geary.

More news to follow...

Mac Campbell Photos

Late Models getting on the gas

 

 

Late Models Thunder into Nowra Speedway Again:

For the second time in a month, the thundering Late Models will venture down to the South Coast of NSW this Saturday night (December 29) to Nowra Speedway for the fifth round of the East Coast Late Model Series.

Shooting for a hat-trick is Scott McPherson, and for the two times East Coast Series runner up there is going to be no shortage of challengers, including Darryl Grimson, Nathan Disney and defending series champion Ken Croft.

During the fourth round of the East Coast Series, on December 1 at Nowra Speedway, it was McPherson and Grimson that took victories. Grimson won the first two heat races of the night and McPherson managed to take out the final heat race and the feature race. There is no doubt that Grimson wants to turn the tables on McPherson, and McPherson has his eyes on continuing his winning form in order to shake off his bridesmaid tag in the final East Coast Series point standings from the past two seasons.

Making his first appearance in a new car for the 2007/08 season is Disney, and you can expect him to be on the pace from the outset. Disney finished second behind McPherson during last season’s running of the NSW State Title at Nowra Speedway, so the Newcastle based hard charger has proven no slouch around the venue. It has been a late start to the new season for defending East Coast Series champion Croft and after he finished fifth place at the last round of the East Coast Series, he is aiming for the top step of the podium.

The experience of Kevin Stevens, Lyle Dicker, and Alan Oates are all looking for a strong showing, while newcomers Greg Cassidy, Neil Wallace, Rodney Shute, and Queenslander Paul Carlish all share similar goals.

With no appearances in NSW over the month of January, five of the East Coast Series runners are travelling over to Western Australia where they are contesting the Western Australian State Title on Saturday night, January 19 at the Northam Motorsport Park and on January 25 and 27 at the Perth Motorplex for the 7th annual Australian Dirt Late Model Nationals.

Included in the East Coast driver lineup set to tackle Western Australia are McPherson, Grimson, Disney, Croft, and Kelleher. While Grimson, Disney and Kelleher will transport their cars via shipping containers on the rail, both McPherson and Croft will make the journey over by road.

Latest East Coast Late Model Series Point Standings (after four rounds):

1 Scott McPherson – 248 points
2 Darryl Grimson - 204
3 Barry Kelleher - 196
4 Lyle Dicker - 158
5 Dean Smith - 158

To obtain more about the East Coast Late Model Series and its drivers visit: www.eastcoastlatemodels.com.au

-ENDS RELEASE-

 

Daracon Croft Racing look for better luck at Nowra Speedway

Daracon Croft Racing is looking for a change of luck when it competes in Round 5 of the East Coast Late Model Series at Nowra Speedway (NSW) Saturday December 29.

The teams previous two visits to the south coast track have been drama filled. In the inaugural NSW Late Model title held last season a clash with another car ended any chance of a major placing, while the teams most recent visit (December 1) yielded some unexpected damage to both car and driver.

"Nowra hasn’t been too kind to us the last few starts" said Ken Croft from his Gunnedah base.

"Here’s hoping things work out better this time. Our last visit saw the Daracon #71 clip one of the infield tractor tyres, resulting in front end damage, and a jarred hand for yours truly".

"The hand wasn’t too bad, but we had to borrow some front end parts from Barry Kelleher in order to get back on track. Most of our spare parts inventory was unfortunately back in Gunnedah as we were in the process of updating to a new transporter. Thanks go to Barry for lending us the parts, however the car was never quite right, so it was just a case of circulating in order to negate any further damage and pick up some points".

"We are keen to get some high speed incident-free racing under our belts in order to help prepare for our Western Australia tour coming up in January and February" Croft stated.

The Daracon Croft Racing Team has recently purchased a brand new transporter and is planning to head across to Western Australia to compete in the WA Dirt Late Model Championship at Northam Motorsports Park on January 19 followed by the 7th Annual Australian Dirt Late Model Nationals at the Perth Motorplex Friday January 25 and Sunday January 27.

On the return journey the team will stop at Kalgoorlie International Speedway Saturday February 2 to compete in the ‘Kalgoorlie Fireball’.

Daracon Croft Racing is proudly supported by:

Daracon
Tanelm Fuels
M B Clark Mechanical Repairs
Parry Logistics
Gunnedah Driving School
For more information on Daracon Croft Racing visit www.croftracing.net
For more information on Daracon visit www.daracon.com.au

Media Release prepared by and released by:
Rod Thurgood
Oz Motorsport Promotions

Neil Wallace heads to Nowra


Following several hectic weeks of AMCA competition Port Macquarie Speedway racer Neil Wallace will slip back behind the wheel of the #97 SKM Motorsport Dirt Late Model for Round 5 of the East Coast Late Model Series at Nowra Speedway (NSW) Saturday December 29.

Wallace, who dabbled in a number of forms of motorsport before becoming an acknowledged front runner in the AMCA Nationals Speedway class, will only be having his second Dirt Late Model start.

"We would have liked to have travelled down to Nowra for the last Dirt Late Model Round on December 1 however we had a prior commitment to run the AMCA at Grafton Speedway on the same night" Wallace said.

"Grafton is our ‘home’ track, and we like to support them whenever we can. The good thing was, as well as the AMCA we were able to take the Dirt Late Model to Grafton. Promoter Greg Coombes graciously allowed us some hot laps and it was a great opportunity to learn more about the car, and get some much needed seat time".

"We had a good solid run in our maiden outing in the Dirt Late Model at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway in late November, and were rewarded with a couple of eighth place finishes in the Heats, and sixth in the Feature".

"I must admit I really enjoyed my first hit-out in the Dirt Late Model, and can’t wait to get back behind the wheel at Nowra on December 29" concluded Wallace.

Neil Wallace and the SKM Motorsport team are currently placed 10th in season points in the ELMA sanctioned East Coast Late Model Series.

Supporting SKM Motorsport in its 2007/08 campaign are:

SKM Engineering
Port Tyre World / Tyrepower
North Coast Freight
Port Macquarie Hotel
Bay Park Photos


Media Release prepared and released by:
Rod Thurgood
Oz Motorsport Promotions


Race Report - December 15th

Phil Hall - Track Announcer

Meeting #3 of the season was again a bumper crop of great racing. Heading the bill were the fabulous Litre Sprintcars, with 29 drivers nominating ahead of their NSW Title Meeting here on the Australia Day long weekend.

Street Stock Sedans turned up in numbers too, along with the 1600 Sedans, Speedway Karts and the amazing little MicroSprints, the 250cc version of the Formula 500 Speedcars.

The track was in great shape early but a few ruts appeared in turn 2 during the night and this did throw the little cars around a bit. However, as one competitor put it, “It’s the same for everyone so you just learn to live with it and keep racing.”

The MicroSprints also saw a “first’ for the category with veteran driver, Billy Roberts debuting a brand-new, 4-stroke powered machine. This is an innovation being trialled for the 2007-08 season by the MicroSprint Association. The car is powered by a 450cc single cylinder Kawasaki motocross engine and the Association will be looking closely at performance and reliability during the season to see if the 4-stroke engines can become a permanent part of the category. Despite early teething problems (obviously), the car got quicker throughout the night and I believe this is a great experiment that should be encouraged. Noise could be an issue to be addressed, however, as the little car was VERY loud!

The MicroSprints do have reliability issues and only 4 cars fronted for the Feature about which I’m sure they will be disappointed. Paul Curran won from Rhys Marchant and Brett Finucane, the latter a very unlucky competitor, as he led for nearly the whole 12 lap distance only to get shuffled to the back in a couple of late-race stoppages.

A much better roll-up of 1600’s nominated and the Heat races were evenly shared between veteran drivers Gary Peers and Max Delaney. Delaney started the VW on pole for the Feature but the car expired on the back straight on lap 1 with an ignition problem, leaving Peers to score a comparatively easy victory over Bob Marskell in the much-improved VW Golf and Chris Green in the Datsun. The battle for the minors raged throughout the whole 15 laps and was only resolved in Green’s favour on the last lap. Up until then, he, Irvine, Hatherly and Grant had been slugging it out with the positions changing almost every lap.

Speedway Karts are always spectacular but this meeting saw the normally dominant David Hopping in a very subdued mood, winning only 1 Heat race and finishing well down in the order in the others. Come Feature time and Steve Roberston, who’d been the star of the show all night, cleared out and won from Hopping and Leigh Manning.

Streetr Stock Sedans also turned up in good numbers and this ensured some close, tight racing. Graeme Betts, who’d scored 2nd in the Feature last time out, went one better last night winning easily from a subdued David Ford with the Commodore of Rob Swain holding up the Holden honour in 3rd.

But it was the Litre Sprintcars that most had come to see and they didn’t disappoint. Sub-15 second lap times and close racing raged throughout the Heat racing leading to a Feature where 21 of the 29 nominated cars took the flag, an excellent effort indeed. Craig Geering and Karl Geddes were dominant in the Heats with Sean Barnett, the current A1 plate-holder, only winning one Heat and that was the one in which he started from pole.

However, come Feature time and the cream always rides to the top. Starting from the 4th row of the grid, Barnett quickly sorted the traffic to get onto the tail of the leaders, Paul Freeman and Karl Geddes. Despite great form during the Heats, Geering struggled in the Feature and never looked a chance.

A huge rollover in T3 by David Fuller brought on an extended stoppage and, when the racing resumed, Barnett pounced on the leaders and motored away, eventually winning from Geddes and Freeman, both of whom closed to within striking distance in the last few laps. But Barnett was cruising, and, using the traffic intelligently, he assured himself of the win, a chilling warning to the rest of the drivers who might be fancying their chances in the NSW Title coming up.

Next meeting at Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway will be on the 29th of December and will feature the snarling Late Model V8 Sedans, 1600’s NOS Sprintcars (a new division featuring wingless sprinters powered by a “controlled” V6 Commodore engine), and a 4 cylinder Demolition Derby.

Finally, mention MUST be made of the fact that last night’s meeting saw the final full-time appearance of club stalwart, Frank Carmody, chief timekeeper and announcer.

I’d like to take the opportunity of expressing my thanks and the thanks, I’m sure, of every speedway fan, for the decades of faithful service that Frank has given to this club and to the Nowra Speedway. I first worked with Frank in the early 80’s when he was announcer at Kembla Grange. Such was his enthusiasm and dedication that, way back then when home computers were still a distant dream, he would bring his Sorcerer computer to the track every night and operate the pointscore from it after every race. Amazing to think back on that now.

Frank, you will be sorely missed, not only in the commentary box, but at the speedway as a whole. Enjoy your retirement and don’t be a stranger. There’s a huge amount of gratitude in the heart of every speedway fan for your quiet and diligent service to the club and to this speedway. Thanks again.

 


Santa Claus to Visit Nowra Speedway

In a world full of increasing political correctness it’s good to know the Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway you can still “Ho,Ho,Ho".
Santa Claus will be making a special appearance at the annual Christmas speedway meeting this Saturday night.
To compliment the arrival of Santa organizers have put together an exciting meeting featuring the first appearance this season of the fabulous Litresprintcars who will contest a round of the NSW Country Shootout Series.
Already more than 20 cars have nominated for the meeting with more expected to arrive as late entries. Current and multi Australian Champion Sean Barnett headlines and impressive array of driving talent including Nowra regular visitors, Shane Cooper, Matthew Reed, Clayton Priest and seasoned local veteran Dick Pettitt.
The super quick litrecars are suited to the Nowra 400m oval and should relish the opportunity to strut their stuff on the recently resurfaced track with race times expected to tumble throughout the night.
To compliment the Litrecars organisers have booked the mighty little Microsprints who make a welcome return after a season layoff. These cars look quite a bit like their bigger cousins the Litrecars and with engines only a quarter the size.
Wollongong’s Chris Green will be hoping for a change in fortunes in the Super 1600 sedan class after clutch problems curtailed his promising start to the season in his new Weld Force Datsun. The driver to beat will no doubt be Max Delaney in his faithful VW “Herbie” after the won everything in sight at the opening meeting of the season on Nov 20th.
Streetstocks and Speedway Karts make up the remainder of the program which will be the last meeting before Christmas.
The next meeting scheduled for the Fire Service plus Nowra Speedway if Saturday night December 29th when Nowra will host the all new exciting division known as NOS Sprints. These cars will be making their first racing appearance in NSW after running successfully in Victoria for a couple of seasons.
As a special bonus for Kids this week, if you got a copy of the South Coast Register on Wednesday and cut out the Nowra Speedway add Mum and Dad can get upto 4 kids under 12 in for free on presentation of the cutout add at the gate from 4pm on Saturday.
Fire Service plus Nowra organizers, officials and drivers would like to take this chance to wish each and every race fan and their families a safe and happy Christmas and New Year break.
In the interest of public safety on our roads the Christmas break please leave the racing to the drivers on the track and not our public roads.

Merry Christmas

Mac Campbell
Fire Service Plus
Nowra Speedway Press Liaison.

 

Quick News .... and the Dirt Track Cowboy

Sun Dec 2nd 2007

Known for his passion not only for country music but also for motorsport, Country Music's Dirt Track Cowboy Adam Brand was a surprise visitor to Nowra last night taking in the action of a fast and furious night of racing at Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway. After watching the first few heats, Brand donned the racesuit for a few laps of the clayway in Steve Caunts potent Aust #3 Stallard Formula 500.

Caunt (pictured) went on to take out the South Coast F500 Title.

More news and photos to follow.

 

 

Triple Treat of Speedway Excitement this weekend

Nov 30 2007 - Mac Campbell Nowra Speedway Press Liaison.

Cars, cars and lots more cars will be the order of the day at the Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway This Saturday night.
Headlining a huge program of exciting clay track action featuring no less than 5 division will be round 2 of the Shannon Civil Engineering Modified Sedan Series which has attracted 22 of the best Modified/Super production sedans from Sydney, Canberra, Goulburn, Wollongong and the Shoalhaven to compete in round 2 of this very exciting series being contested at both Nowra and Goulburn Speedways over the next two 4 months.
Fords make up 4 of the top 5 after round 1 at Goulburn recently and the Holden contingent will be doing there best to reverse the trend tomorrow night.
This exciting series is the brainchild of Sydney’s Brad Bassett (a crowd favourite and Nowra regular) and Canberra’s Freddy Murphy who got their heads together in the off season and put together a series to bring all the various clubs in the southern NSW region together under the one banner thus ensuring good car numbers at each of the 4 rounds.
Evidence of the keenness of the drivers is the fact that all 17 cars that competed in round one last month at Goulburn have nominated again tor this weekend. Word quickly spread around speedway circles on the quality or the first meeting and this has attracted another 5 drivers to jump on the bandwagon and be a part of this great initiative by the two above mentioned drivers.
Organizers of the Nowra Speedway have given their complete support to the series and are looking forward to what should be a great spectacle for our local speedway fans.
Goulburn favourite Kevin Sherwood (pictured) leads the series after round 1 in his beautifully prepared BA Falcon (Pictured) from former Queensland ace Gordon Midolo (Falcon) followed by Sydney’s Shane Duggan ( the only Holden in the top 6) series organizer Brad Bassett is fourth in his Falcon with Ray Healey making up the top 5 in points.
If you are planning to attend tomorrow nights action bring someone to hold onto when the 400 cubic inch American Style Late Models take to the Nowra Clayway for their first of several appearances this season.
Canberra’s Scott McPherson leads an impressive line-up of these huge V8 Monsters who turned on some awesome racing at Sydney’s Parramatta City Raceway last Saturday night, press reports and comments from long time regulars claimed It was some the best racing they had seen from the big USA Style V8s.
Other drivers to watch for include Greg Cassidy having his first season of Late Model competition, Ken Croft who performed very well in Nowra last season and the wily Darryl Grimson who also showed great form last time at he raced here.
Fans of open wheel speedway will not be left out this weekend either with the running of the 2007/08 South Coast Formula 500 Title. Wollongong’s Steve Caunt is a raging hot favourite after he blitzed the field at recent ACT Title meeting at Goulburn.
Goulburn’s Barry Burrows is expected to push him all the way after his fine third at the same meeting and showed what he is capable of on any given night. Others to watch in the very good 14 car field include Brian Cox and Terry Kershaw.
The Fire Service Plus/ Stallard Race cars Australia proprietor, Caunt raced extensively in the United States during our off season and gained a wealth of experience at many different tracks and those two trips have already reaped benefits this early in the season.
As if that is not enough to wet the appetite of any hardcore race fan there are also strong fields in both the Junior sedans and Street Stocks also.
15 drivers aged between 14 and 17 have nominated in the Junior Sedan (Young Guns) division thus ensuring the crowd will be entertained by some hair raising action from these future stars of Australian Speedway.
Rounding off a full program, not to mention capacity Pit area will be the Streetstocks who have been bolstered by a good number of the Parramatta City Raceway Streetstocks who are looking for extra racing away from the PCR Clayway. A number of these drivers have competed at Nowra on previous occasions and are looking forward to running on the recently re-surfaced Nowra track.
Make it a night out and bring the family for a great night of speedway fun at the Fire Service Plus Nowra Speedway tomorrow night. Full Canteen facilities are always available so you can sit back and tuck in to some of the best “Speedway Tucker” at any race track in Australia while watching some of the best speedway action available this weekend.
Gates open at 4pm and the first race will kick off at 6 o’clock.

 

Daracon Croft Racing to compete at Nowra Speedway

Media Release

Following a solid initial hit-out for the season at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway last Saturday evening the Daracon Croft Racing Dirt Late Model Team now focuses its attention on Nowra Speedway on the NSW South Coast Saturday December 1, and Round 4 of the East Coast Late Model Series.

Despite overcast weather the Parramatta meeting went ahead, with the Dirt Late Model division providing plenty of exciting racing, and an increase in car numbers.

The Daracon Croft Racing #71 Rocket Pontiac was right in the thick of the action Saturday night, with Ken Croft securing a second and seventh in the Heats, and a strong third place in the Feature.

“Being our first run for the season we were really happy with how the car performed” said Ken Croft.

“The new engine showed it has huge potential, and we are confident we will be a regular visitor to the podium for the remainder of the season”.

“It will be great to get back to Nowra Speedway Saturday night as we have some unfinished business from our only appearance there last season. The Daracon Rocket was running strong in the NSW Championship only to have a clash with another car take us out of contention”.

“I like the Nowra track, it has a good surface, complimented by fantastic lighting, and the race fans really get behind the racing down there” concluded Croft.

The Daracon Croft Racing Dirt Late Model team have already committed to running the December 29 meeting at Nowra as well, as a final shakedown prior to heading to Western Australia to compete in several major race meetings in January and February.

Daracon Croft Racing is proudly supported by:
Daracon
Tanelm Fuels
M B Clark Mechanical Repairs
Parry Logistics
Gunnedah Driving School

For more information on Daracon Croft Racing visit www.croftracing.net
For more information on Daracon visit www.daracon.com.au


Ken Croft competing at Parramatta November 24.
Image courtesy of Alan Thompson of www.sprintcar1.net


Ends Release

Media Release prepared by and released by:
Rod Thurgood
Oz Motorsport Promotions
11 Perrins Lane
West Kempsey NSW 2440
Email : rodslot@optusnet.com.au
Website : www.ozmotorsportpromotions.com
Mobile : 0434 260 028
Fax : Currently unavailable

27th November 2007

 

Stainer Outlasts Showers to Streak to Victory

Meeting Report from Track Announcer Phil Hall - 18 Nov 2007

Meeting #1 (not counting the rained-out opening meeting) of the 2007-2008 season began with not so much of a bang, as a whimper. A disappointingly small number of nominations amongst the sedan car ranks saw the organisers hastily rope in the AMCA’s and they obliged with 12 cars at very late notice. Thanks heaps, guys.

Speedway karts, a small number of 1600’s and SS sedans supported the main act which was the NSW Compact Speedcar Championship. This was a meeting which was a hold-over from earlier on this year when attempts to run it (AND the Aussie Title as well) were both rained off. We blame the Victorians for this, of course.

After a glorious, sunny day, wouldn’t you know it, right on the button of 6 o’clock, the heavens opened and the new track surface got its baptism. After having a further 75 truck loads of clay added to the surface during the off-season, nobody knew exactly how the new surface would react. Traditionally any amount of rain is the kiss of death for a clay surface.

So it was all hands to the grinders and cars went out to wheel pack. Amazingly, the showers passed over and, after an hour and a half of delay, the track came in to a superb racing surface which, if anything, was too dry by the end of the night.

Heat races were hot right from the get-go, especially Heat 1 of the compacts with 2 motor detonations at the end of the race resulting in two early retirements for the rest of the meeting. Australia #1, Danny Stainer from Victoria, signalled his intentions early by dominating his heat races and ensuring a good transfer to the Main.

In the other divisions, Max Delaney got a huge jump on the rest of the 1600cc Sedan competitors by winning every heat race and Sydney’s David Hopping, son of legendary Sprintcar competitor from the 60’s, Sid Hopping, dominated the Speedway Karts division.

AMCA’s were very heavy with two drivers disciplined over an after-the-flag incident early in the meeting and the pace being set by the Chant brothers, Laurence and Robert, with Newcastle’s David Robertson and Darren Nicholson adding spice. What is it about the Hunter Valley that produces so many great drivers?

So to the Feature Races. Results went pretty much with form.

Speedway Karts saw David Hopping take the flag after a stirring struggle with Dapto’s Mark Wintle and the consistent Nev Brittton.