Press Releases 2010/2011
Written by: Martin Agatyn
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Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
V8 action galore in season grand slam finale
16 March 2011
The final meeting of the season at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway near Hobart, this Saturday night will go out with a bang with the One Track Hyundai Grand Slam, featuring the Tasmanian V8 AMCA Championship and the seventh round of the National Pies Super Sedan Series for V8 super sedans.
Ensuring the season is sent off in style, the programme will also include racing for modified production sedans, Formula 500s, junior sedans, sidecars and speedway karts.
Gates will open at 3.00 p.m. and racing will start at 4.00 p.m.
The V8 AMCA state title will be a hotly contested affair after last year's unprecedented dead heat.
Corey Smith is favourite to take out the title
A repeat is unlikely this weekend as cars will carry electronic transponders capable of reading lap-times to three decimal places.
One of the defending champions has moved to Victoria, but Ulverstone's Corey Smith will defend his half of the championship and on recent form is a strong chance to win it in his own right this year.
Although V8 AMCA racing has been affected by the numerous wash-outs experienced by Tasmanian speedway this season, on the dead heat the occasions they have raced, Smith has always been near the front, including winning last week at Carrick in the perfect lead-up.
One of his main dangers could be former Tassie sixes State champion Andrew Ryder, of Hobart, who has taken to the new division after stepping up to V8s this season and showing some of the more experienced drivers how it's done.
Latrobe's Eric Stuart has also shown plenty of pace on occasions this season, as has second-year Sheffield driver Matthew Graham, who would be the most improved driver from last year.
Launceston's Rodney Bassett is also another driver who has gone from strength to strength from last season and rates a strong chance to end up on the podium on Saturday night.
Defending champ Steve Latham
V8 super sedans haven't raced since last month's washed-out State title at Carrick, which will has been re-scheduled for the Northern venue next weekend, making this Saturday night's National Pies Series round critically important.
Apart from being the lead-up to the State title, the series itself only has two rounds to go and is far from decided.
Reigning State champion, defending series champion and current series leader Steve Latham, of Hobart, has been in awesome form this season and will be keen to continue the run on his home track.
Launceston's Adam Beechey has had some great battles with Latham this season and will be keen to turn the tables in Hobart.
Former State champions Jarrod Harper of Hellyer Beach, Brad Smith, of Devonport, and former two-times Australian champion Kevin Purton, of Deloraine, although out of series contention due to missing early rounds due to interstate racing commitments, will use the round to fine tune their packages ahead of the State title, and as such will play a big role in what remains of the series.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
Dobson flies, then falters - Hutchins leads series
27 Feb 2011
Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson blew his opposition away in round seven of the prestigious Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series on his home track last night at the Mountain 
Dew Ice Raceway near Hobart, before a minor indiscretion robbed him of certain victory.
Dobson was in awesome form, winning both his heats and qualifying on pole position for the 30-lap final, which he led after starting brilliantly and circulating at near-lap record pace.
The reigning Farmers Union series champion was spectacular in his driving as he raced on the ragged edge, blasting through lapped traffic in a seemingly fearless exhibition.
Dobson established a handy break on Forest driver Mark House early in the race, who had started from grid three, but inherited second when Westbury veteran Malcolm Lee crashed and rolled on lap two.
Former State champion "Tornado" Tim Hutchins, of Sassafras, started from grid three, but also found some early pace to slot into third behind House.
With 10 laps left to go and Dobson appearing headed for victory, a crash involving Launceston's Jamie Bricknell back in the pack caused a stoppage, bunching the field up again.
At the re-start, Dobson clipped a trackside safety cone, dragging it onto the track and forcing officials to abort the re-start.
The subsequent penalty for his indiscretion saw Dobson sent to the rear for the re-start.
In the remaining laps Hutchins found some drive wide on the track and powered around the outside of House to take the lead.
House also relented to series leader Kurt Luttrell, of Launceston, on the last lap to finish third, with Hutchins' victory giving him enough points to snatch a narrow series lead over Luttrell, with two rounds to go.
Dobson managed to re-pass a number of cars before spinning out and ending his night on the in-field thinking what could have been.
He will get the chance to make amends at Latrobe next weekend when the contests the State championship against a similar field.
On the same programme, Penguin's Matt Templar closed the gap to series leader Todd Auton in round eight of the GW Landscaping Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series.
Templar out-qualified reigning State champion Auton, of Ulverstone, and managed to keep the series leader behind him for all of the final, albeit the pair finishing second and third.
The final was won by former State champion Brett Waddington, also from Ulverstone, with the victory also moving the fourth-placed Waddington closer to the series leaders.
Templar had the final all but wrapped up until a last minute charge from Waddington saw him steal the win.
Meanwhile, Hobart driver Bruno Jetson claimed victory in an action-packed Mountain Dew Ice Tassie Sixes Classic.
The win also ended a seven-race winning streak by reigning Tasmanian champion and fellow Hobart driver Luke Gunn, who was battling for the lead with Jetson and Dwayne Sonners when he tangled with lapped traffic, ending his night on the in-field.
Sonners and Jetson then shared the lead on a number of occasions in a thrilling duel while the opposition dropped like flies in a tough final, which saw only four cars finish from a starting field of 14.
Launceston's Patrick Cocker was involved in some of the early battles with the leaders, but dropped off the pace in the closing stages to claim a handy third.
Earlier in the night Richmond's Laura Davidson proved her historic win in last year's Tasmanian Speedway Karting championship was no fluke, taking out back to back titles in the modified clubman division, remaining the only female driver to have won the championship.
Davidson qualified on pole position for the final and led the race from start to finish to claim an easy victory from Launceston's Sam Crack, with NSW driver Nev Britton finishing third after starting on the front row with Davidson.
Penguin's Leigh Revell completed a successful return to racing this season by taking out the 125cc championship ahead of Victorian Rob Latta and defending champion Hayden McBain, of Devonport.
In the junior championship final, first-year Hobart driver Billy Menzie upset some of his more fancied rivals to claim the title, with Devonport's Ben Boun second ahead of Brady Tyler.
RESULTS -
Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series (round seven) - Heat one: S Dobson, 1; J Dawkins, 2; M Alexander, 3. Heat two: K Luttrell, 1; M Lee, 2; M House, 3. Heat three: S Dobson, 1; T Hutchins, 2; A House, 3. Heat four: J Bricknell, 1; M House, 2; M Lee, 3. Final (30 laps): T Hutchins, 1; K Luttrell, 2; M House, 3.
GW Landscape Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series (round eight) - Heat one: T Auton, 1; C Bauld, 2; G Nicholls, 3. Heat two: M Templar, 1; T Auton, 2; A Garwood, 3. Heat three: B Waddington, 1; C Bauld, 2; M Templar, 3. Final (20 laps): B Waddington, 1; M Templar, 2; T Auton, 3 .
Monster Cookie Café Tasmanian Speedway Karting Championships - Heat one: L Davidson, 1; B Jackson, 2; S Crack, 3. Heat two: B Tyler, 1; B Menzie, 2; Bianca Boun, 3. Heat three: R Latta, 1; H McBain, 2; L Revell, 3. Heat four: R Latta, 1; Joe Breitkopf, 2; D Woolley, 3. Heat five: B Menzie, 1; Ben Boun, 2; B Tyler, 3. Heat six: L Revell, 1; H McBain, 2; R Latta, 3. Heat seven: N Britton, 1; L Davidson, 2; B Jackson, 3. Heat eight: B Menzie, 1; Bianca Boun, 2; Ben Boun, 3. Heat nine: N Britton, 1; B Jackson, 2; Jorey Breitkopf, 3. Heat 10: L Revell, 1; H McBain, 2; S Crack, 3. Heat 11: Ben Boun, 1; B Tyler, 2; Bianca Boun, 3. Heat 12: C Abel, 1; S Crack, 2; M Van Gineken, 3. Heat 13: H McBain, 1; L Revell, 2; D Carrigy, 3. Heat 14: Jorey Breitkopf, 1; D Carrigy, 2; L Davidson, 3. Heat 15: Joe Breitkopf, 1; S Walker, 2; D Carrigy, 3. Modified clubman final (10 laps): L Davidson, 1; S Crack, 2; N Britton, 3. 125cc final (10 laps): L Revell, 1; R Latta, 2; H McBain, 3. Junior final (10 laps): B Menzie, 1; Ben Boun, 2; B Tyler, 3.
Mountain Dew Ice Tassie Sixes Classic - Heat one: M Cleary, 1; L Gunn, 2; M Punshon, 3. Heat two: L Gunn, 1; L Goss, 2; D Sonners, 3. Heat three: B Jetson, 1; D Sonners, 2; B Price, 3. Final (20 laps): B Jetson, 1; D Sonners, 2; P Cocker, 3.
Lightning Sprints - Heat one: B Pitt, 1; L Redpath, 2; A Barrett, 3. Heat two: L Redpath, 1; A Barrett, 2; B Pitt, 3. Final (15 laps): B Pitt, 1; L Redpath, 2; A Barrett, 3.
Junior sedans - Heat one: B Piper, 1; J Smith, 2; B Herbert, 3. Heat two: B Piper, 1; B Herbert, 2; J Smith, 3. Final (10 laps): B Piper, 1; J Smith, 2; B Herbert, 3.
Sidecars - Heat one: B Wyllie and D Keegan, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2. Heat two: B Wyllie and D Keegan, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2. Final (4 laps): B Wyllie and D Keegan, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
Sprintcars return as V8 series heats up
23 Feb 2011
The prestigious Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series reaches a critical stage at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway near Hobart, this Saturday night.
The Southern venue will host round seven of the nine rounds series, which is still well and truly alive and up for grabs.
The programme will also include round eight of the GW Landscape Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series and the Monster Cookie Café Tasmanian Speedway Karting Championships in three divisions.
Support events will provide racing for Tassie sixes, lightning sprints, junior sedans and sidecars.
Gates will open at 2.00 p.m. and the in-field program with the karting titles and sidecar action will start at 3.00 p.m., with the main track racing getting underway at 6.00 p.m.
Launceston sprintcar driver Kurt Luttrell currently leads the Farmers Union series and although not winning a round to date, has been the picture of consistency as he chases his second overall series victory.
Luttrell will be keen to break the ice for a round win and increase his lead with two rounds to go, but might find the opposition tough in one of the best fields of Tasmanian sprintcars seen this season a week ahead of the State title at Latrobe on March 5.
Former State champion Tim Hutchins, of Sassafras, won the last round and only trails Luttrell by 10 points with a victory in Hobart guaranteeing him the series lead.
Smithton's Ashely House is having his best season to date and is currently third in the series, but like Luttrell, is yet to win a round, but is fired up to do so in Hobart after coming agonisingly close at Latrobe last month in round six.
Launceston's Jamie Bricknell led the series early in the season, but missed two rounds due to mainland racing commitments, which included an amazing fifth in the Australian championship at Warrnambool last month indicating he will be a strong chance to win this weekend and improve on his fifth in the series and make up for lost time.
Fellow Launceston driver Jason Dawkins, started the season late and is out of series contention, but his last two rounds have been impressive and he will be using this weekend as a vital hit-out ahead of the State title.
The street stock sedan series should see a battle of the top-three ranked drivers and North-West Coast trio in State champion Todd Auton, Matt Templar and Corey Bauld, with many other chances in what has been an exciting and even series so far.
The Tasmanian karting championship will be decided in modified clubman, 125 cc and junior classes with the 125cc class making its debut at State title level.
Burnie's Ben Jackson has been the driver to beat in modified clubman in recent times, while Devonport's Hayden McBain (125 cc) and Brady Tyler (juniors) will start favourites in their respective classes.
Just how good is he?
2nd Feb 2011
Written by: John Carr
Love him or hate him, he is without doubt one of the nations leading super sedan drivers. We are talking of course of the man that stole all the prize money at the Bendigo Bank Grand Prix held and the Bendigo Bank Arena Latrobe last weekend in Mr Superb himself - one Kevin Purton.
Not only did he run away and hide with the prize money, he did likewise on the race track as well.
There is no doubt that most of the other super sedan drivers are starting to panic as this driving machine looks set to take all of the prize money that is on offer this weekends Mountain Dew Ice Grand Nationall at Moutain Dew Ice Raceway, Hobart and the following week at the Fuso Tuck & Bus Australian Super Sedan Title at Bendigo Bank Arena Latrobe.
Shoud the track be a little bit slick, it will be a race for second, as Purton will put out his hand and take the winners prize money.
Darren Kane always does well at the Grand National, however at present his team is like the rest of the competitors - they are racing for second as Purton leads the way.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
V8 Speedway Invasion heads South
2 Feb 2011
Australia's best V8 super sedan drivers this weekend will converge on the country's Southern-most speedway circuit, the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway near Hobart, in a bid to win Tasmania's longest-running speedway feature event, the Mountain Dew Ice Tasmanian Grand National.
The time-honoured event will be held on Friday and Saturday night with 15 heats and a 50-lap final to determine who's name will join the ling and illustrious list of winners.
Racing on Friday night will consist of nine heats, plus support class racing for Tassie sixes, modified production sedans, bombers and speedway karts, who will be contesting the Speedway Kart Mini-Grand National over both nights.
Saturday night's programme will include six more heats of the Grand National, a B main semi-final, pre-final pole shuffle, and the grueling 50-lap final, which will test both diver and machine.
The support program will include the continuation of the Mini-Grand Prix, plus round seven of the G W Landscape Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series, plus Tassie sixes returning for a second night, as well as Formula 500s and junior sedans.
Gates open at 3pm on both days with racing from 5.30pm on Friday and 4.30pm on Saturday.
Many of the drivers heading to Hobart also competed at Latrobe last weekend in the Bendigo Bank Grand Prix and will return there next weekend for the Australian championship, using the Grand National as an important last hit-out before the national title.
The field includes the reigning Australian champion and Hobart-born Jamie McHugh, of Queensland, plus three former multiple champions in Mick Nicola (Vic.), Darren Kane (Qld) and Kevin Purton (Deloraine).
Former Hobart driver Kane is the defending Grand National champion and chasing his third consecutive victory in a row on his former home track.
The former three-times Tasmanian champion only completed one heat at Latrobe last weekend before blowing an engine and after flying parts down from Queensland will be revved up to make up for it in front of a crowd which still has plenty of support for the former Hobart boy.
Purton took on the best in the nation at Latrobe last week and beat them and will be out to continue his winning run in the lead-up to the Australian title, while Nicola, who finished second to Purton, will be just as keen to go one better in Hobart.
McHugh failed to make the final at Latrobe after damaging a gearbox and despite contesting the Grand National on a number of occasions, it is one victory which has eluded the national champion.
This weekend's field also includes five other previous winners of the event, including former Tasmanian champions David Nichols (Launceston), Phillip Townsend (Ulverstone) and Jarrod Harper (Hellyer Beach), along with Wayne Randall (Qld) and Jason McPherson (Ulverstone), as well as reigning Tasmanian champion Steve Latham, of Hobart, who has yet to win the event on his home track.
Latham and former Tasmanian champion Brad Smith, of Devonport, both led the final of the Grand Prix at Latrobe last weekend at various stages of the race, with Smith finishing second and Latham crashing.
Is the mojo back?
24th Jan 2011
Written by: John Carr
Crowd favourite and legend to his Smithton fans, super sedan driver Jarrod Harper finally returned to the winners circle at National Super Sedan series round held a Murray Bridge at the weekend.
After what can be described as a lean last season, Harper qualified his new race car on pole for the final and drove away to win it comfortably.
Harper's legion of fans will be indeed hopeful that his mojo has returned and he will return to the winners circle in the upcoming major sedan meetings starting with the Grand Prix this weekend, the Grand National at Mountain Dew Ice Raceway,Hobart the following weekend and the Fuso Australian Super Sedan Title at Bendigo Bank Arena the week after the Grand National.
There is no doubt that Harper on fire will create huge excitement amongst race fans, because when he is hot, he is electrifying and raises the tempo a fair few notches.
Lets hope the mojo remains for the next three meetings at least.
LETS GET READY TO ROCK THIS WEEKEND.
Australia 1 is on the way
19th Jan 2011
Written by: John Carr
The Wild Child, and current Australian Super Sedan Champion, Jamie McHugh had his race car shipping details finalised yesterday. The ex Tasmanian is super keen to make his presence felt at the Grand Prix, Grand National and the Fuso Australian Super Sedan Title at Latrobe.
Mentor and friend of Jamie's later father Geoff, Bob Howlett himself a former leading Tasmanian sedan driver is confident of Jamie's chances of success, and his spectator appeal.
Rumour has it that on his recent trip to the States, Jamie bought back more a very special selection of bars that will suit the race tracks at Mountain Dew Ice Raceway Hobart and the Bendigo Bank Arena Latrobe.
The Wild Child is a crowd favourite, however their loyalty will be surely tested when the likes of Purton, Harper, Smith, Nicholls and Latham start to strut their stuff and just show what they are made of.
BRING IT ON - WE JUST CAN'T WAIT!!
15th Jan Meeting cancelled due to weather
14th Jan 2011
The scheduled meeting to be held at Mountain Dew Ice Raceway on the 15th of January has been cancelled. Race officials this afternoon made the decision not to run the event due to heavy rain that has been falling at the venue. "The track might be able to be raced on" says one official, "but the spectator area and pits are heavily affected, and unsafe underfoot."
The AMCA and Bomber state titles will be rescheduled, but Round 5 of the Farmers Union Sprint Car Series has been deemed a non event, and will not be rescheduled.
The next scheduled meeting at Mountain Dew Ice Raceway is the Mountain Dew Ice Grand National on the 4th and 5th of February, where some of Australias best super sedan drivers will join the local talent to fight it out over two nights.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
V8s and State titles in speedway bonanza
11 Jan 2010
Two State speedway championships and plenty of V8 action are on the menu for the Bendigo Bank Bonanza programme at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway, near Hobart, this Saturday night.
State championships will be decided for the V8 AMCA nationals and bombers divisions, plus round five of the Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series.
A big support programme will include racing for street stock sedans, modified production sedans, sidecars and speedway karts, with the action getting underway at 4.00 p.m. on the inside track with sidecars and karts.
The main programme will start at 6.00 p.m., with gates open from 3.00 p.m.
The Farmers Union Sprintcar Series is starting to hot-up as the nine-round series passes the halfway hump with no clear favourite and a double-points round up for grabs this weekend.
Smithton's Ashley House has a slight lead over Launceston's Kurt Luttrell and while neither has won a round of the series so far, they have both been consistent with a win this weekend to do wonders for their confidence.
Sassafras driver Tim Hutchins had the fourth round at Latrobe in his keeping until he crashed and he will be fired up to make amends and improve on his third place in the series in the process.
Veteran Malcolm Lee, of Westbury, and Devonport rookie Kristian Kelly aren't out of contention, but need strong performances in the remaining rounds to make an impression on the leaders.
Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson has dropped out of contention for the series after missing rounds due to interstate racing commitments, but is leading the Hobart track championship series and will be revved up to extend his lead on his home circuit.
The State V8 AMCA championship should be an exciting and open affair.
Defending champion Corey Smith, of Ulverstone, has struggled with reliability at times this season and will need things to go right on Saturday night to claim back to back titles.
His biggest dangers could be Eric Stuart, of Latrobe, Launceston's Rodney Bassett, and much-improved Hobart driver Daniel Brooks.
The Tasmanian bomber championship also has no clear favourites and looks likely to be a typically bruising affair and a test of survival.
Former State champions Mick Hart and Josh Knight know what it takes to win and are capable of doing it again, with Ben price and Chris Devine not without a chance to claim their first State title.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
Latham fires up in V8 speedway series
19 Dec 2010
There were fireworks both on and above the track at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway near Hobart last night for the Mercury Newspaper Fireworks Spectacular.
While spectators enjoyed the pyrotechnics show after dark, Hobart speedway driver Steve Latham provided the sparks on his way to winning round four of the prestigious National Pies Super Sedan Series.
With two of the previous rounds of the series washed-out, drivers were fired up from the very first heat in an incident-packed night.
Fortunately a number of crashes in the heats were only minor and a full-field took to the grid for the 30-lap final following some hasty repairs.
Latham, the current State champion and defending National Pies Series champion, qualified on grid three for the final after being caught up in one of the earlier incidents, but made up for lost time in the main race of the night.
Second generation New Norfolk driver Chris Gallagher was able to avoid the carnage and post two solid heat results to claim his first career pole position in a National Pies Series round.
Series leader Adam Beechey, of Launceston, joined Gallagher on the front row and started strongly to take the lead.
Gallagher was swamped at the start and slipped back to fifth on the opening lap.
Devonport driver Grant Hopkins also got a great started from grid four and slotted into second, followed by Latham and former State champion Jarrod Harper, of Hellyer Beach.
But Latham wasn't content to stay put for long and challenged Hopkins for second, taking Harper with him as Hopkins was relegated to fourth.
On the fifth lap Latham tackled Beechey for the lead, with Harper again in tow, but the former State champion got squeezed for room on the outside, hitting the wall and ending his night with rear-end damage.
Beechey appeared a little slow off the mark at the re-start and Latham pounced to snatch the lead in the opening lap.
Once in front the State champion was able to establish a handy break as the battle for the minors hotted up between Hopkins and Beechey.
Hopkins eventually found a way past Beechey, who appeared to be struggling with tyre grip as former State champion Phillip Townsend, who had started well down the grid, started to come on strong in the latter stages of the race.
Townsend challenged Beechey for third with 10 laps to go, but came to grief when the pair made contact, resulting in a race stoppage after both cars spun.
Officials ruled Townsend the cause and sent him to the rear for the re-start.
Latham again opened up a handy lead in the remaining laps to win from Hopkins and Beechey, with the Launceston driver's third place enough to maintain his series lead with the next round scheduled for Latrobe on January 1.
On the same program Hobart youngster Josh Smith won the fifth round of the Statewide Junior Sedan Championship Series to close the gap to series leader and fellow Southerner Brad Herbert, who finished fourth in the final.
Smith was never challenged during he final, but Herbert had second place wrapped up until baulked by lapped traffic on the final lap, allowing Nathan Russell and Brodie Piper to slip past within sight of the chequered flag.
In other events regular super sedan driver Bruno Jetson, of Hobart, made a successful guest appearance in the Tassie sixes division, winning both heats and the final in a skilful display, while Ulverstone's Corey Smith was in control for most of the race in the V8 AMCA nationals final in what was a solid hit-out ahead of next month's State title at the same track.
Former State champion Mick Hart dominated the bombers final to take an easy win.
RESULTS -
National Pies Super Sedan Series - Heat one: C Gallagher, 1; A Beechey, 2; G Hopkins, 3. Heat two: S Latham, 1; J Harper, 2; A Beechey, 3. Final (30 laps): S Latham, 1; G Hopkins, 2; A Beechey, 3.
Central Steel Junior Sedan Championship Series - Heat one: J Smith, 1; B Herbert, 2; B Piper, 3. Heat two: B Herbert, 1; J Smith, 2; N Russell, 3. Final (15 laps): J Smith, 1; N Russell, 2; B Piper, 3.
V8 AMCA nationals - Heat one: E Stuart, 1; C Smith, 2; M Graham, 3. Heat two: P O'Connor, 1; T Hill, 2; M Bellette, 3. Heat three: D Brooks, 1; C Smith, 2; E Stuart, 3. Final (20 laps): C Smith, 1; J Smith, 2; G Dillon, 3.
Tassie sixes - Heat one: B Jetson, 1; B Green, 2; D Sonners, 3. Heat two: B Jetson, 1; D Sonners, 2; S Vout, 3. Final (15 laps): B Jetson, 1; D Sonners, 2; B Green, 3.
Bombers - Heat one: M Hart, 1; A Devine, 2; S Devine, 3. Heat two: J Knight, 1; A Devine, 2; S Devine, 3. Final (15 laps): M Hart, 1; A Devine, 2; J Knight, 3.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
V8 Fireworks assured in Hobart
15 Dec 2010
There will be fireworks in more ways than one at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway this Saturday night when the fourth round of the National Pies Super Sedan Series is held.
The V8 action will be the main event on the Mercury Newspaper Fireworks Spectacular and the State's leading speedway sedan drivers will be looking for an early Christmas present.
With two of the three rounds of the series to date washed out, racing on Saturday night will effectively only be the second time this season the V8s have come out to play, ensuring the field will be fired up to make amends for lost time.
Saturday night's support programme will also include round five of the Central Steel Junior Sedan Championship Series, plus racing for V8 AMCA nationals, Tassie sixes, and bombers.
Gates will open at 3.00 p.m. and racing will start at 6.00 p.m., with the spectacular fireworks show set to explode above the arena shortly after dark.
With several rounds of the National Pies Super Sedan Series lost to bad weather, Saturday night's fourth round will signal the season debut for several top drivers.
Former State champion Jarrod Harper, of Hellyer Beach, will debut a brand new car, while former multiple State champion David Nichols, of Launceston, Queensland's Wayne Randall, and Ulverstone driver Jason McPherson will also be out to make up for lost points after missing the second round which, was not washed-out.
Launceston's Adam Beechey currently leads the series after a hard fought win in that round in Hobart, at which he won the final after coming from grid seven in the final and he will again be looking for victory at the Southern venue.
Defending series champion and current State champion Stave Latham was fired up on his home track for the second round and looks as aggressive as ever, ensuring he will take the fight up to the front runners again this weekend.
Former Australian champion Kevin Purton, of Deloraine, and former Tasmanian champion Phillip Townsend, of Ulverstone, are also well placed in the series after a strong run in Hobart and will be aiming to consolidate or even improve their standings this Saturday night.
Devonport driver Grant Hopkins showed some early form in Hobart but had a disappointing final and will be keen to make amends.
Former State champion Brad Smith, of Devonport, was running second in the Hobart round when he punctured his Chev Impala, ending his race and losing valuable points.
Smith will be revved up to overcome the disappointment with a strong performance and pick up where he left off before his untimely demise last time out.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
Sides leads Uncle Sam's speedway charge
5 Dec 2010
Tennessee Top Gun Jason Sides last night led a successful 
American raid on the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway near Hobart when he won the third round of the Chickenfeed World Series Sprintcar championships.
Missouri-based driver Jason Johnson finished third, with former Devonport driver David Murcott the only Aussie to make it onto the podium, splitting the two overseas stars.
Sides proved why he is the world number five ranked driver with a strong drive after starting from pole position in the 30-lap final.
Saving his best to last, Sides was only ninth fastest in time trials, but had advanced to fifth on the points table after toe completion of six heats.
Murcott was sixth after the heats, but the pair advanced through "the chase" to put themselves on the front row for the final.
It was Murcott's third consecutive front row start in the series so far, but his best finishing result.
Sides led Murcott for the entire race, but the Melbourne-based former Tasmanian took the race up to his American rival, eventually losing touch in lapped traffic, where Sides proved to be a master.
Fellow American Johnson started on grid four, but a brilliant start saw him take third on the opening lap from West Australian Ian Madsen.
Johnson mounted several challenges on Murcott in a bid to make it a quinella for Uncle Sam, but the former four-times Tasmanian champion was able to withstand the pressure to score a solid second.
Madsen finished fourth ahead of Launceston's Jamie Bricknell, who was the highest finished Tasmanian driver after starting the night in brilliant form to post the fastest lap in time trials in a truly international-class field.
Reigning Australian champion James McFadden found some late speed to charge through from well down the grid after an average qualifying run, to finish sixth, just ahead of Californian diver Tyler Walker.
Winning driver Sides was delighted with his victory after showing potential in the first rounds of the World Series in Queensland.
"This really shows how good my team is - we knew we just needed to fine tune things a bit after the first two rounds and the guys gave me a great car tonight," Sides said.
Murcott, although happy with his best result of the series so far, lamented the start.
"We knew the start was critical - if I had got the jump on Jason, it could have been a different story, but he started brilliantly, so I had to chase," Murcott said.
"The lapped traffic didn't do me any favours either, but Jason was the man in front and he deserved the win," he said.
On the same programme, Ulverstone's Brett Waddington scored his first victory of the season, winning the final of round four of the GW Landscape Supplies Street Stock Sedan Championship.
Qualifying on pole position for the 20-lap final with a win and a third in his two heats, the former three-times Tasmanian champion was never headed in a quality field.
Former Australian and Tasmanian champion Todd Auton, also from Ulverstone, finished second ahead of series leader Matt Templar, of Penguin, who still heads the series points table with six rounds to go.
RESULTS -
N Kingston, 1; E Dobson, 2; T Robbins, 3.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
The yanks are coming - and we're ready for them
1 Dec 2010
A strong contingent of three American speedway drivers will head the charge towards Hobart this Saturday night when the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway hosts the third round of the Chickenfeed World Series Sprintcar championship.
Nine-times US All-Star Circuit of Champions winner Jason Johnson, of Missouri, world number five ranked driver Jason Sides, from Tennessee, and controversial Californian and former NASCAR driver Tyler Walker, will fly the flag for Uncle Sam, but will face a fierce battle from Australia's best and a dedicated band of home-grown Tasmanian talent.
The Aussie "daring dozen" who make up the list of 15-contracted drivers for the series along with the three Americans, will be headed by reigning Australian champion James McFadden, of the Northern Territory, along with former three-times Australian champion and former World Series champion Max Dumesney, of Victoria, former Australian champion Robbie Farr, of New South Wales, and former Australian championship runner-up Trevor Green, from South Australia.
Robbie Farr is in brilliant form after having won the first two rounds of the series in Queensland and keen to continue his form in Tasmania by showing the American visitors how it's done in Australia.
Former four-times Tasmanian champion David Murcott, formerly of Devonport, and now Melbourne-based, will be returning to his home state with the advantage of local knowledge and hoping to impress.
Of the resident Tasmanians, reigning Tasmanian champion Jason Redpath, his brother and former multiple Tasmanian champion Adrian Redpath are always solid performers on the big stage.
Launceston's Jamie Bricknell is currently leading the domestic Tasmanian-based Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series and the State's in-form driver of the season so far, while defending series champion and Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson has also impressed in the first two rounds of the World Series in Queensland and will be out to score a big result on his home track.
The all-up field will consist of three Americans, 11 mainland drivers and 17 Tasmanians.
Saturday night's 24-event programme will start at 6.00 p.m. with time trials and the pole position shoot-out, followed by heats and a 30-lap final for sprintcars.
With the weather forecast for Saturday uncertain, promoters have programmed Sunday evening as a potential rain-date should Saturday's racing get washed-out.
A comprehensive support programme will include round one of the Clipsal Super Series for lightning sprints, round four of the GW Landscaping Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series, round two of the Central Steel Junior Sedan Championship Series and racing for Formula 500s.
Gates will open at 3.00 p.m.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
Beechey charges to V8 series lead
14 Nov 2010
Launceston V8 speedway driver Adam Beechey has stormed into the lead in the prestigious National Pies Super Sedan Series after winning the second round at the Mountain Dew Ice 
Raceway near Hobart last night.
Beechey was quiet during the heats and qualified fifth for the 30-lap final, but found plenty of speed when it mattered most to take a hard earned victory ahead of former Tasmanian champions Phillip Townsend, of Ulverstone and Deloraine's Kevin Purton.
Reigning State champion and defending National Pies Series champion Steve Latham was in awesome form on his home track in a new car to qualify on pole position for the final with a win and a third in his heats.
Latham led the final early with former State champion Brad Smith, of Devonport, giving chase until a puncture after six laps ended his night early.
By that stage Beechey had already advanced to third as he blasted by Purton and Townsend, who were involved in their own battle, resuming hostilities from an earlier clash in the second heat, which saw Purton penalised one place after passing Townsend illegally.
As Beechey pursued Latham, Townsend and Purton swapped places several times in an entertaining duel.
Beechey gradually bridged the gap to Latham and challenged for the lead with 10 laps to go in lapped traffic.
Heavy contact between the pair saw Latham spin into the infield, where his car was struck by Hobart's Steve Howells, who was trying to take evasive action.
Fortunately, both cars were able to re-start, with officials sending Latham to the rear for the re-start after deeming him the initial cause of the stoppage.
Beechey cleared out at the re-start to record an impressive win, while Purton and Townsend continued their intense scrap, with Townsend pinching second place back and gaining a decisive break with two laps to go.
Latham recovered to finish fourth.
On the same program former Australian street stock sedan champion Todd Auton, of Ulverstone, won his second successive final in round three of the GW Landscaping and Supplies 
Street Stock Sedan Series.
Auton won the final on his home track at Latrobe last week, bit not the round after scoring minimal points in the heats, but it was a different story last night.
Qualifying on pole position for the 20-lap final with a win and a third in his heats, which, when combined with his eventual victory in the final, also saw him clinch the round.
But Auton had to work hard for his win in the final with fellow Ulverstone driver Corey Bauld driving a fantastic race and leading Auton for much of the journey before a series of minor mistakes handed Auton the lead.
Launceston's Matt Farrell recorded his best result of the series to finish third in the final, with series leader Matt Templar, of Penguin, claiming fourth place and with it, enough points to maintain his series lead.
Launceston's Geoff Henri was the happiest man in the pits last night after a breakthough victory in round three of the Clipsal Lightning Sprint Series.
After a season of mechanical dramas and reliability issues last year, Henri's car finally lived up its potential, taking him to wins in both heats, pole position in the final and eventual overall round victory.
Series leader Bruce Pitt challenged Henri for supremacy in the early stages of the final before rolling his car, with Sassafras driver Luke Redpath claiming second and the series lead after similarly consistent performances in the previous rounds, while Andrew Barrett scored his first podium of the series with a solid third.
RESULTS -
National Pies Super Sedan Series (round two) - Heat one: B Smith, 1; P Townsend, 2; S Latham, 3. Heat two: S Latham, 1; P Townsend, 2; K Purton, 3. Final (30 laps): A Beechey, 1; P Townsend, 2; K Purton, 3.
GW Landscape Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series (round two) - Heat one: B Waddington, 1; M Templar, 2; J Riley, 3. Heat two: M Farrell, 1; C. Bauld, 2; T Auton, 3. Heat three: J Beasley, 1; A Garwood, 2; S Spencer, 3. Heat four: T Auton, 1; C Bauld, 2; B Cooper, 3. Final (20 laps): T Auton, 1; C Bauld, 2; M Farrell, 3.
Clipsal Lightning Sprint Series - Heat one: G Henri, 1; N Hale, 2; L Redpath, 3. Heat two: G Henri, 1; B Pitt, 2; A Barrett, 3. Final (15 laps): G Henri, 1; L Redpath, 2; A Barrett, 3.
V8 AMCA nationals - Heat one: T Hill, 1; M Graham, 2; M Bellett, 3. Heat two: D Brooks, 1; C Smith, 2; T Hill, 3. Heat three: R Bassett, 1; C Smith, 2; D Brooks, 3. Final (20 laps): D Brooks, 1; R Bassett, 2; C Smith, 3.
Tassie sixes - Heat one: B Green, 1; M Cleary, 2; S Vout, 3. Heat two: B Green, 1; L Goss, 2; Dion Menzie, 3. Final (15 laps): B Green, 1; Dion Menzie, 2; L Goss, 3.
Speedway karts - Heat one: L Davidson, 1; Jory Breitkopf, 2; Joe Breitkopf, 3. Heat two: B Tyler, 1; Ben Boun, 2; Bianca Boun, 3. Heat three: H McBain, 1; L Davidson, 2; L Revell, 3. Heat four: Joe Breitkopf, 1; L Davidson, 2; C Harper, 3. Heat five: B Tyler, 1; Ben Boun, 2; B Menzie, 3. Heat six: L Davidson, 1; L Revell, 2; J Mancey, 3. Final (10 laps): L Davidson, 1; C Harper, 2; Joe Breitkopf, 3. Junior final (10 laps): B Tyler, 1; Bianca Boun, 2; B Menzie, 3. 125 cc final (10 laps): L Davidson, 1; H McBain, 2; L Revell, 3.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
V8 Sedans to invade Southern speedway
10 Nov 2010
Tasmania's big weekend of V8 action will continue on Saturday night at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway near Hobart when the Southern speedway hosts the second round of the prestigious National Pies Super Sedan Series.
A huge 28-event program will also include round three of the GW Landscaping and Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series, round three of the Clipsal Lightning Sprint Series, and support racing for V8 AMCA nationals, Tassie sixes, sidecars and speedway karts.
Gates will open at 3.00 p.m. and racing for sidecars and speedway karts will start from 4.30 p.m., with the main program blasting off at 6.00 p.m.
Reigning Tasmanian super sedan champion and series champion Steve Latham, of Hobart, will debut a brand new car on Saturday night in a bid to start his title defence season on a positive note.
Latham tested the car three weeks ago and was happy with his lap-times and confident of a strong result this weekend.
Former Australian champion Kevin Purton, of Deloraine, will also debut a new car and will be equally as keen to get some early results on the board, while former Tasmanian champion Brad Smith, of Devonport, will also be in a new car and hoping to make his presence felt from the outset.
Former Tasmanian champion Phillip Townsend and hard charger Jason McPherson, both of Ulverstone, will add some experienced depth to the field and will be serious contenders, while New Norfolk youngster Chris Gallagher will be out to improve on last year and will be quicker with another season under his belt.
Current Australian Commodore Cup champion Adam Beechey, of Launceston, will turn his attention from tarmac to clay and despite the different driving styles required, he should be race fit and expected to be on the pace right from the start.
Longford's Matthew Smith will make his super sedan debut after several successful seasons in the V8 AMCA nationals division.
Smith has proven ability as a driver and if he can adapt to the pace of super sedans, he should be competitive fairly quickly.
The first two rounds of the GW Landscaping Series has created some sensational racing for street stock sedans and this weekend will be no exception.
Penguin's Matt Templar has established an early break and is proving the driver to beat, while former Australian champion Todd Auton, of Ulverstone, and Hobart's Robbie Fisher have also made their presence felt, along with hard charging Corey Bauld, reigning State champion John Riley and Chris Watson.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
Dobson's perfect series start
24 Oct 2010
Hobart teenage speedway driver Shaun Dobson made the perfect start to his title defence in the prestigious Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar by winning the opening round of the 2010-2011 series on his home track at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway last night.
Dobson, 17, qualified on outside pole position for the 30-lap final, but was relegated to second twice before prevailing in an incident-packed race.
Pole qualifier Adrian Redpath, of Latrobe, battled with Dobson for the lead in the opening laps and in a freak accident, rolled his car after making contact with Dobson as the pair tried to slow down to avoid another accident from the first lap, ironically involving Redpath's brother and 
reigning State champion Jason Redpath.
With both Redpaths out for the re-start, Launceston's Kurt Luttrell inherited pole position for the re-start and led Dobson for the first seven laps.
Fellow Launceston driver Jamie Bricknell had qualified sixth and was third after a few laps and charging through the field, taking second from Luttrell on lap 12.
Bricknell continued to close the gap to Dobson and found his way through in lapped traffic 10 laps later, only to see the race stoped after a backmarker spun.
With the re-start resuming from the previously completed lap, Bricknell was relegated to second behind Dobson for the re-start with eight laps to go.
However, with his tyre temperature cooling during the stoppage, Bricknell did not have enough time to challenge in the remaining eight laps with Dobson scoring the win.
Luttrell retired in-field three laps from the chequered flag with a suspected fuel problem, leaving veteran Gerry Hoekstra, of Launceston, and former State champion Tim Hutchins, of Sassafras, to battle it out for third, with Hoekstra winning an exciting duel on the line.
Earlier in the night, Penguin driver Matt Templar won an action-packed final in round one of the GW Landscape Supplies Stock Sedan Series.
Templar showed a glimpse of what was to come with two solid results in his heats, but saved the best to last after working his way towards the front in the final.
Former 10-times Tasmanian champion Todd Auton, of Ulverstone, qualified on pole position and led the 20-lap final early before a driveline problem forced him in-field mid-race.
Reigning State champion John Riley, of Ulverstone, who also started from the front row, Hobart's Robbie Fisher and Templar battled for the lead before Templar got the upper hand and opened up a gap.
Hobart's Chris Watson took advantage of a slowing Riley to take the battle up to Fisher for second, falling short by less than a car-length at the chequered flag as Templar recorded a solid win.
Carrick driver Mark Rowland failed to make the grid for the final after rolling his Ford Falcon several times in a spectacular accident early in the first heat.
Rowland was unhurt and the damage to his car repairable, ensuring he will be back on the track again soon.
In other events Hobart youngster Josh Smith has taken an early lead in the Central Steel Junior Sedan Championship Series after winning the opening round last night.
Smith qualified on the front row for the final and hit the lead early to win from Hobart duo Bradley Herbert and Shane Bond, who drove a solid race after not figuring in the placings in his lead-up heats.
Launceston's Steve Harvey showed promise in the heats, but retired early in the final with a mechanical drama after an early battle with Smith and Herbert.
Reigning Tassie sixes champion Andrew Ryder, of Hobart, started his season on winning note, with victory in his final ahead of street stock sedan refugee Brendan Green in an impressive debut.
Devonport's Curtis Smith led from start to finish to win the Formula 500 final and Hobart's Rob Shaw dominated bomber racing, winning both heats and the final.
RESULTS -
Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series (round one) - Heat one: S Dobson, 1; A House, 2; T Hutchins, 3. Heat two: A Redpath, 1; G Hoekstra, 2; J O'Neill, 3. Heat three: J Redpath, 1; K Luttrell, 2; J O'Neill, 3. Heat four: J Bricknell, 1; T Hutchins, 2; A Redpath, 3. Final (30 laps): S Dobson, 1; J Bricknell, 2; G Hoekstra, 3.
GW Landscape Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series (round one) - Heat one: J Riley, 1; M Templar, 2; J Beasley, 3. Heat two: R Fisher, 1; C Watson, 1; J Riley, 3. Heat three: T Auton, 1; S Spencer, 2; C Watson, 3. Final (20 laps): M Templar, 1; R Fisher, 2; C Watson, 3.
Central Steel Junior Sedan Championship Series (round one) - Heat one: S Harvey, 1; B Herbert, 2; N Russell, 3. Heat two: J Smith, 1; B Herbert, 2; S Harvey, 3. Final (12 laps): J Smith, 1; B Herbert, 2; S Bond, 3.
Formula 500s - Heat one: C Smith, 1; M Kelly, 2; D Peck, 3. Final (15 laps): C Smith, 1; E Dobson, 2; M Kelly, 3.
Modified production sedans - Heat one: B Tatnell, 1; A Russell, 2; A Vervaart, 3.
Tassie sixes - Heat one: M Punshon, 1; A Ryder, 2; B Green, 3. Heat two: A Ryder, 1; B Green, 2; S Vout, 3. Final (20 laps): A Ryder, 1; B Green, 2; S Vout, 3.
Bombers - Heat one: R Shaw, 1; J Knight, 2; D Hay, 3. Heat two: R Shaw, 1; A Devine, 2; D Hay, 3. Final (12 laps): R Shaw, 1; D Hay, 2; C Devine, 3.
Written by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Services
Pictures by: Angryman Photography
Season blasts off with sprintcar action
19 October , 2010
The 2010-2011 Tasmanian speedway season will blast off at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway near Hobart on Saturday night with the first rounds of three exciting series.
Ashley House with a new paint scheme
The long wait over winter for speedway fans will finally be over and drivers will be raring to go in what promises to be a great programme to start the season.The 21-event programme will include the first rounds of the Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series, the GW Landscape Supplies Street Stock Sedan Series and the Central Steel Junior Sedan Championship Series.
Support racing will include Formula 500s, Tassie sixes, modified production sedans and bombers.
Gates will open at 3.00 p.m., with racing starting from 6.00 p.m.
Honours in the junior sedan series should be completely up for grabs with a number of youngsters graduating to new divisions this season, while the street stock sedan series opener is also likely to be fiercely contested with the incentive of more prizemoney.
Local Hobart sprintcar driver and teenage sensation Shaun Dobson will be keen to start his series defence in the Farmers Union series on a winning note and gain some valuable points in the opening round.
Dobson is planning to race interstate for part of the season and will be hoping to bank some series points early to gain a buffer for when he will be away.
Launceston's Jamie Bricknell ran a close second in the series last season and is also planning to race interstate on selected occasions this season and will also be keen to gain an early advantage.
Former State champion Adrian Redpath and his brother and current State champion Jason Redpath, both from the North-West Coast, will also be hoping to stamp their mark on the series from early in the season.
Another former State champion, Launceston's Jason Dawkins had an up and down season last year and will be looking for more consistency this season with a first-up victory on the cards as one of the most experienced drivers in the field.
Fellow Launceston driver Gerry Hoekstra showed some strong form late in the last season and will be keen to pick up where he left off, while the improvement in newer drivers Ashley House, his cousin Mark House and Damien Robbins will ensure a quality field first up.
Damien Robbins tests his new car recently
The debut of rookies Kristian Kelly and Jake Krushka will also be watched with interest.
Kelly is the son of speedway legend Chas Kelly and has been making a name for himself in Formula 500s for several seasons, while Krushka is also a second-generation driver moving up from the lightning sprint category.