SPEED: Michael Bartsch in action in his BA Ford Falcon at Eastern Creek in March. INSET: Michael Bartsch.
Win tickets to the Shannons Nationals THE Herald has two double passes to give away to attend the Shannons Nationals this weekend at Mallala Raceway. Simply send an email to john.crawford@ruralpress.com with your name and contact phone number in the subject line. The winners will be drawn at noon on Thursday, April 12 and contacted immediately by phone. One entry per person. The tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday. And one of the lucky winners will be given a ‘hot lap’. So be quick with an entry.
Touring car action heats up MALLALA will roar to life with motorsport action this weekend for the Shannons Nationals. Tanunda driver Michael Bartsch will be in the thick of the action, driving his BA Ford Falcon in the Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Cars event. The series started last month in New South Wales at Eastern Creek, with Mallala hosting the second round. Bartsch said things did not go well in the first round and he was looking to improve this weekend. “We didn’t have the right parts to get the set-up right for that track so we struggled all weekend, but still came away with sixth for the round from the 20-odd cars that were there,” he said. “It is not what we were hoping to achieve, we were hoping to be fighting for the win.” Bartsch will tackle this weekend looking to not only improve on last month’s performance, but also to better the third placing he drove in his old vehicle at Mallala last year. “I finished third there last year in my old car, and this is a better car than that,” he said.
“Some local knowledge as well should help to keep me in front. “Our team has got a test day on Wednesday (today), so we will try and get the car sorted out and get the handling right and then everyone else will be there on Friday for more practice.” He said the plan is to qualify near the front of the field and stay there. “It is much easier to run up the front than it is in the midfield,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about what everyone else is doing - you can drive your own race.” Other races at the Shannons Nationals include the sports sedans, Porsches, the Holden versus Ford battle of the saloon cars, the V8 Commodore Cup, the Australian Swift Racing Series and other sprint races. Tickets are available via www.mallala.com or at the gate. Weekend passes are $40, with kids under 14 admitted free. Saturday only entry is $25 and Sunday is $35. Racing commences Saturday afternoon after qualifying and continues on Sunday.
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