Issue 5 Rolling Thunder E-Mag

ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine Issue 3

Issue #5

Woo Hoo!!! Lets Go Racing.

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine

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CONTENTS — Issue 3 Quick News.

Adam, King of Rushworth.

Rolling Thunder Raceway Supplement.

Wangaratta Season.

AMCA Season.

RTR Opening night.

Drouin—Homegrown.

Avalon—SRA Opener.

Avalon supports.

PHOTO’S Courtesy of: Brett Swanson Media. brett.swanson@optusnet.com.au CLT Photography. (Cassie Tuckett) cassie@speedway.net.au Darren Winter - Daz Pics.

MEDIA RELEASES: • Brett Swanson • Dean Thompson (DMT Media).

Published by: Racer Publishing Pty Ltd. ABN 69 122 820 348 P O Box 1047, Bacchus Marsh.

Victoria. Australia. 3340.

Editors: Brett Swanson, Ray Solomon.

Contributors: Dean Thompson (DTM Media) Contributors; Please email contributions to chris@fmg.au.com or ray@fmg.au.com COPYRIGHT:

Material contained in Rolling Thunder Racing E news is protected under the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968. No part of this publication may in any form or by any means be reproduced without the prior written permission of the Publisher. The publisher has taken all reasonable precautions to ensure the complete accuracy of material contained in this publication, however, it is a condition of receiving this magazine that the Publisher does not assume any responsibility for any loss or damage which may result from the content of material published in this magazine. Although Racer Publishing Pty Ltd uses its best endeavours to ensure the accuracy of everything it publishes, the Fair Trading Act 1985 requires Racer Publishing Pty Ltd to disclaim any belief in the truth or falsity of information whish is supplied to it and which is published in other than editorial comment.

Unsolicited editorial contributions are welcome, how ever, no responsibility can be accepted for their safety or return. The options of contributors are not necessarily those of the Publisher.

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine

QUICK NEWS Wingless Sprints Race Dates.

Wingless Sprints Australia has drawn up a ten meeting schedule with a combination of demonstration events leading up to full-on race meetings post Christmas as the anticipated car numbers continue to grow.

the tight and tiny Nyora Raceway on ever season of Wingless Sprints racDecember 27. ing.

With the New Year will come a new The man behind the first ever Nonattitude on January 3rd at Avalon when Wing Nationals at Laang speedway -

The interest in the 410 cubic inch V8 powered non-wing Sprintcar class continues to grow with more and more drivers committing to the class as the season approaches faster than Max Dumesny down the Warrnambool back straight.

With the expected lead time for new entrants to build new cars for the class, which is an all new to category for Australian speedway, division owner and creator Dale Matthews has programmed a series of early demonstration runs in order to build the awareness and excitement and to allow new drivers time to become enthused and infected and to get on the action will start to become really serious. track.

Hamilton’s hooky quarter mile has th “We know we need to allow time for been pencilled in for January 24 but teams to take to the new class and is still to be confirmed. build new cars so the early events will really only be demonstration runs until Avalon will host the next pair of th th the numbers start to build hopefully events on February 7 and March 27 around Christmas time, and then we’ll as the momentum continues to build. kick off the ‘real’ race meetings.” Mat- Horshams’ Blue Ribbon Raceway will th thews explained after watching the play host on April 4 and the historic WSA house car cut some more laps at new class will venture to the historic Avalon with Simon Amato at the old Redline Raceway Ballarat for their penultimate show on April 18th. wheel.

the nationally rated Stephen Bell - is looking seriously at the class and is looking for some support to get a full blown attempt on the track.

Former AMCA Nationals racer Mark Skidmore has sold his AMCA and purchased an ex VSC Sprintcar for his assault on the Wingless trail.

Skidmore’s machine should be up and running in time for the Avalon ice breaker.

Former Australian AMCA Nationals Champion and current 360ci Sprintcar Competitor Ricky Barrand is also hoping to try out the wingless sprints.

Ricky has reportedly almost finished the construction of his Wingless Car.

The final show for the inaugural season will be back at the exciting Nyora venue on May 9th where the tight turns and the hooky track will be sure to guarantee plenty of wheel lifting, power-down acceleration as the teams Change of plan for Weaver.

Rolling Thunder Raceway will host the fight gravity, traction and each other A strong desire for Mark Weaver to cars on November 15 and then in a in the rush towards an exciting con- race Sprintcars, and in particular at huge contrast the teams will travel to clusion to the first Avalon International Raceway will be the mainstay and “home-track” of the division with four meetings programmed including the groups initial run on November 8.

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Rolling Thunder Raceway (RTR), has led to a slight change of plans with the team now planning to run an ASCS 360ci engine rather than the originally planned 410ci unit.

LOOKING FOR A COST

Sprintcar Tests on offer.

EFFECTIVE Final details have been released about MEDIA PACKAGE. the Formula Motorsport Group – Rolling Thunder Raceway Sprintcar drive Pirate Media has over 20 years excompetition. perience in Motorsport media and “I love racing at Bacchus Marsh (RTR) and that is where I really want to run Rolling Thunder Raceway are pleased more specifically in the exciting the Sprintcar but in order to do that I to be able to announce that not one, realms of speedway racing. need to run a 360 engine.” Weaver but potentially four different drivers explained at the Avalon practice day. will each receive two ten lap session in “With the dollar dropping (the ex- an ASCS powered Sprintcar at Rolling change rate between Aus and US) it Thunder Raceway. became a better deal for us to run the smaller engine and we were able to do Previously announced classes included a deal where the 410 stayed in the US AMCA’s and Standard Saloons, with and this 360 came out instead. And the Production Sedans being added to that suits me fine because Bacchus is the fray. where I really want to be.”

Weavers daughter Liz then confirmed that Gary Isom would still be coming out as originally planned sometime in late November and will spend some time in the car also.

Duncan debuts AMCA. Speaking of Weaver, his ex National Title winning AMCA is now in the hands of rookie Rod Duncan. Duncan (pictured below) has re-skinned the car and gone for a simple silver and white colour scheme in his number #57. With apparently no background in any sort of racing at all, Duncan was

In order to be eligible the AMCA Nationals winner will have contested both meetings for the class at Rolling Thunder Raceway and have been the top point scorer from the two rounds conducted.

The Standard Saloons will have two drivers that may be eligible for the prize and to win the ride they have two chances. Firstly they can contest all four rounds conducted at Rolling Thunder Raceway and be the highest point scorer. Or they can chase the Tri Series and contest all rounds of that series and be the highest point scorer who has competed in all rounds of that series.

Pirate Media can offer you a one stop media shop including the preparation and distribution of media releases, race photography, media kits, video presentations and even sponsorship proposals.

Competitively priced it is cheaper than you may think to take care of all your sponsors and fans and get the message out and lift the profile of your team, track or series.

According to Rolling Thunder Raceway race co-ordinator Chris Overall, this generous prize has certainly got the Standard Saloon boys interested The Production Sedans are the latest addition and while they are only contesting one event at Rolling Thunder recently seen cutting some laps at RTR Raceway they are still being offered and looked very smooth and quite this generous prize. quick and could emerge as one of the best newcomers to the Victorian ranks In order to win this prize though they by seasons end. must contest all rounds of their tri seMark Skidmore, the veteran AMCA ries and be the top point scorer of racer who will be associated with those who contested every event. In Weavers Sprintcar effort, has also sold other words the winner of the series his AMCA to Ballarat rookie David Dob- does not necessarily win the prize bie. unless they have contested all of the

Pirate media is the media outlet of choice for Troy Little Racing, Hennessey Motorsport, AMCA Nationals Victoria, Rolling Thunder Raceway.

For further enquiries contact Pirate Media on 0410 198 138 or brett.swanson@optusnet.com.au

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine

mon who is eagerly looking forward to unleashing his new beast. “It wasn’t intentional but they look a bit like Sprintcar Daily.

Great to see www.sprintcardaily.com Nashies (Darryl Nash’s) old cars.” back up and running again. Webmaster Andre Weich is an at times contro- As always younger brother Chris had versial and colourful web host, but little to say about the look of the cars there is no doubt that he has the inter- or the new pressure that will be apests of the division at heart, while peo- plied by the wily Roberts who doesn’t ple don’t realise that it is also very tolerate anything other than 100% time consuming chasing down results effort from his drivers. for the many aussies competing The teams back up, ex Travis Rilat abroad. engine may be available for lease on a race by race or season basis.

Solomons’ new Powerplants.

Formula Motorsports Group (FMG) team drivers Paul and Chris Solomon Brazier takes title number five. will both be looking for better seasons Love him or hate him, Garry Brazier is than the results they had last year al- probably the most precociously talthough in that respect, Chris’s season ented Sprintcar racer Australia has wasn’t too bad at all with a number of ever seen, and he reinforced this fact podium finishes in only his second full with his fifth national crown in the delayed 2007/2008 Australian Sprintcar season of Sprintcar racing.

Championship that was run on October th The FMG team has secured the ser- 4 2008 at Tyrepower Parramatta vices of highly respected crew chief Bill Raceway.

“Grizzly” Roberts. Roberts has a long and successful pedigree both here and Many who witnessed the event are in the USA and in more recent times calling it one of the best championship has been the man behind the speed of races ever and this was despite our other premier racers Brooke Tatnell Sydney’s Troy Little. and Kerry Madsen both being absent “I’m looking forward to the challenge due to Outlaw duties back in America of trying to bring these two guys up and Max Dumesny not contesting the another level to the point where they event. can be challenging for wins.” Said Roberts. “The only question is, which one Robbie Farr was the man who took the challenge up to Brazier and took will get there first, Chris or Paul.” advantage of an incident between BraWith the impending Rolling Thunder zier and lapped traffic that saw Brazier Raceway season and the companion drop back to third before getting the Sprintcar All Stars series about to kick elbows up and chasing down those off the team have been busy getting ahead. Farr eventually finished second their pair of re-fettled Eagles, spares while Ian Loudoun was a fine third continuing his emergence as one of and funding in order. best young up and comers.

Both drivers will have top notch ASCS spec 360ci engines fresh from Wells’ Some years ago as part of the lead up engines in Texas. Pauls’ motor is direct to the Kalari Transport sponsored Nafrom Wells’, while Chris’s engine is the tional Championship at Warrnambool I one used by Little at this years 360 had the chance for a little one on one Nationals at Knoxville where Little re- with the maestro Garry Rush. I made ported that the motor went extremely the statement that I couldn’t see anyone at that stage equalling, let alone well.

“We’ve gone for a predominantly white beating his record of ten national colour scheme with some red on it.” championships. Rush’s response was Explained the always hyper Paul Solo- to say that he was 31 years old before series’ rounds.

he won his first title and that with guys starting to race at the top level at a younger age, that it was highly possible for someone else to do it. I think he might just have had Brazier in mind when he made that comment.

Brazier for his part could just be the one to give the record a shake and might have already come close to it except for those lost years where he never really raced with total conviction or dedication. Should Steve and Garry decided to continue to chase title events in even a half serious nature, who knows how many titles Brazier will have when he finally walks away.

WA NOS The Mt Barker (Western Australia) NOS Big One was won on the weekend

by Daryl Clayden in his #44 West Coast Rewind Eagle.

Here is Daryl flanked second placed Lee Nash sitting on the tyre and third man home Trevor Jolly as they congratulate each other on their success.

All cars started the day and finished the days racing with a 20 lap none stop Feature Race.

Final placings were Daryl Clayden from a fast finishing Lee Nash (brother of enigmatic Open 410 Sprintcar racer Allan Nash), Trevor Jolly, Ben Migro, Gary Walsh, Danny Attwood, Darren Loxton, Tom Bovell.

For those that may not know, the NOS (National Open Sportsman) class is really starting to blossom in WA.

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine

got out of shape in hot laps and tore the front end out ending his debut on Portlands’ Adam King got his season the tow truck. off to the best possible start taking the win in round one of the Victorian Youngster Brenton Farrer got his seaAMCA Nationals Country Cup Series at son off to a good start though by winRushworth Speedway on Saturday ning the opening heat from Jackson night (October 11th). Following King and Rick Clark. Rookie Rod Duncan in across the line were class stalwarts the ex Mark Weaver machine made a Scott “Stumpy” Ellis and Mick “Action” great debut finishing in fifth behind

Adam, King of Rushworth.

could only manage a seventh place finish.

Lining up for the feature behind Jackson was Ellis, Hughes, King, Darren Clarke, Rick Clark, Reidy, Hickman, Farrer, Forrest, Duncan, Grant Cullinger, Lodwick Jnr, Hickford, Lincoln, Rookie David May, Robert Taylor, Allan Cullinger, Darran O’Reilly, Kristy Ellis and Jim Dailidis.

Unfortunately neither of the Cullingers would start the feature nor would Lincoln who was having a way over par night.

Jackson in what was a good nights Grant Cullinger in the historically significant first AMCA ever built. racing on a good track..

A good first up field of 23 cars arrived on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to battle it out for either early bragging rights or to just get their careers off to a good start in the case of the four rookies in attendance.

King showed that he was out to continue his great form from the past two seasons by winning heat two ahead of Ellis, Tim Reidy, Sandie Hickman in the beautiful #19 and Campbell Hughes.

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Hughes then scored top points in heat four defeating King, Ellis, Paul Forrest and Allan Cullinger.

Following the drop of the green, Jackson, who’d been the quiet achiever to this point, lead the field away. Ellis made his play for the lead and took it before Jackson returned the move and once more led the event. Meanwhile Reidy had made a bad start and dropped back a few places before starting to work his way forward and regaining the lost ground. At about two thirds race distance King was able to make his way through to the lead which he carried to the chequered flag ahead of Ellis and Jackson. Meanwhile Reidy had picked off Rick Clark, on his continuing forward charge and then on the last lap Reidy claimed his last scalp as he passed Hughes to grab fourth place. Hughes, Farrer, Hickman, Rick Clark and Forrest completed the top ten.

Of those who started the main event Rick Clark stepped up the pace in the only Darren Clarke and Duncan failed to finish with Lodwick Jnr, Hickford, Ballarat Rookie David Dobbie in the ex orange and black #5 taking out heat Dailidis, Taylor, O’Reilly and Ellis filling Mark Skidmore #25 made an inglori- three ahead of Darren Clarke, Jackson, positions 11 to 16. ous start to his AMCA career when he Mark Lincoln and Peter Hickford.

ray@fmg.au.com

Heat five featured a number on nonfinishers however, Jackson took the win from Darren Clarke, Bill Lodwick Jnr, Duncan and Farrer.

The final heat saw Hughes defeating Ellis, Hickman, Reidy and Forrest. King

ADVERTISE Advertise in future editions of ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine.

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Contact Ray Solomon email ray@fmg.au.com

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WELCOME & ENJOY EVENTS SUPPLEMENT Tonights program features’ All Star Sprintcars, AMCA Nationals, Junior Sedans & Dirt Karts.

Event #1 2008/2009 Season. www.racermagazineaustralia.com.au

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SPEEDWAY - Behind the Scenes ROLLING THUNDER RACEWAY wish to acknowl- Jason Feltham.

edge the great support it receives from a large num- A former Sprintcar and AMCA racer, Jason regularly ber of past volunteers and contractors and those assists on the start /finish line. who are providing assistance both in the past and future. These include Kevin Reeves.

The former Street Stock racer has in the past, proChief Stewards. vided great support to Sprintcar drivers and the Russell Thomas.

Sprintcar Racing Association (SRA) of Victoria, howEx Hot Rod driver, Russell Thomas (right) provides ever in recent years Kevin has had an active roll on experience and the infield and on the start line and cone duties at knowledge by RTR. Being the “Cone Head” is a task that needs the taking on the utmost concentration and cannot be underestimated unenviable task as your editor knows as, whilst performing this task of stewarding. at a round of the Sprintcar All Stars at Redline RaceStewarding is way, left the restart cone out for a few extra laps, never easy and much to the dismay of the Sprintcar drivers. always keeps you OOOPS sorry guys! on your toes.

Track Announcers.

Norm Fisher.

Brett Swanson — Head Announcer.

Norm has been Like most involved at the speedway Brett is a former an active official competitor with a speedway addiction. and driver over many years. Last season, Norm A childhood motorsport fan whose uncle had comcould be seen at Redline Raceway at the wheel of a peted at the 1956 AGP at Albert Park, his first very fast Formula V8 Sedan when he wasn’t helping speedway meeting was in November 1985 at Adeout at RTR. laide’s then Speedway City when the Grand Prix Norm was also a co-owner of Victorian Speedway Masters was run to coincide with the Formula One Scene magazine, many years ago.

Grand Prix.

Chris Overall.

Chris still competes in the AMCA Nationals division, is also very experienced in all facets of promoting speedway events. Chris has helped develop of the RTR events calendar for 08/09 and will help in a number of other official duties. Chris is a jack of all trades, whilst working at Redline Speedway in previous years, Chris has stewarded races , backed up as the track announcer , been the pit organiser and worked in the canteen and so it goes on!

Infield Officials and Scutineers.

Mark Johannson (right).

RTR’s Sprintcar scrutineer and infield official was been an active participant in WSS some years ago and brings experience and authority to the RTR venue.

Brett was so struck by the violence and noise when the first heat of the Sprintcar event exploded off the start line that he was forever hooked and vowed to one day race a Sprintcar. That opportunity came only a year later when he chatted to the owner of a Sprintcar that he saw parked at the local McDonalds store. This owner explained that his car was a “limited” Sprintcar and was part of a club to which Brett soon joined. Shortly thereafter an ageing, overweight, underpowered car was purchased from Bordertown in South Australia and with no previous racing experience of any sort, he commenced racing. A back breaking crash at the huge and fast, and in hindsight incredible dangerous, Granite Park

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine speedway in Seymour ended his initial season where Rookie of the Year Hounours and fourth in the club championship were taken out ahead of the likes of Adrian Parr. The following season saw further improvement in taking third in the championship, but the car was by now well past its use by date and without the budget to upgrade to a newer, bigger engined car, his career was over. Incredibly though, the car was then sold of to Tasmania where their “limited” class was just starting to evolve.

many tracks around the state, earning the respect of many people and the divisions they represent.

Dean is the head announcer at Nyora and is the media rep for many, many divisions and individual drivers such as Justin Drew, Andrew Balckwell and Bryan Galley.

Dean has built a great rapport with many drivers and teams and brings that inside knowledge to the fore in his announcing duties, making the fans feel like they know the drivers personally.

Dean is a valuable and integral member of the RTR Brett’s speedway career now went in a different path commentary team. as he took up a position on the infield with a camera hanging around his neck, contributing photo’s to National Speedway Illustrated magazine after a chance meeting with stalwart Brian Sherriff.

Journalism was then added to the CV when he wrote a report covering a Sprintcar media/practice day at Avalon for publisher Denis Newlyn as an indication of his writing abilities and was pleasantly stunned when Newlyn published it. Bretts journalism career has now spanned over two decades with articles contributed to many National and International magazines. Brett is also the co-editor of the innovative free Rolling Thunder Racing E-mag.

Commentary was added to the list of capabilities thanks to the late Ian Campbell. One night while photographing the solo’s and sidecars at Underra Raceway, Campbell beckoned Brett to come up to the commentary box. Brett obliged going up only to say g’day but Campbell quickly put the microphone in Brett’s face and that was that. Brett then went on to become the SRA’s first Series announcer and has since called events at Sandown and Winton (including the annual Sandown V8 Supercar enduro), as well as doing the Easternationals, radio and television programmes and many other speedway events both here and in America.

When the Bacchus Marsh venue was built (known originally as Western Auto Speedway) Brett was the head announcer and has held that position throughout all it’s varied promoterships.

Dean Thompson.

While never actually having ever competed, Dean harbours a deep desire to do so and if funding can be found may well achieve that dream.

Dean (pictured) has been a long time contributor to many speedway magazines and has called events at

Track Timing Glen Stock, Darren Fox & Jason Jones.

Chief Time Keeper Glen Stock is a former Street Stock and Sprintcar racer. Budgetary shortcomings and a growing family curtailed his racing career but his other sporting pursuit of Basketball thankfully proved more successful. “Stocky” and North West FM Sports show host Ivor Jenkins had a huge, often bruising rivalry on the basketball court as both often faced off against each other in championship finals.

This rivalry has mellowed over the years to the point that Jenkins, knowing of Glen’s passion for motorsport and speedway especially invited him to be a regular guest on the “Sports of All Sorts” programme each Saturday morning on 98.9 North West FM.

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine Glenn then dragged RTR’s head announcer Brett Swanson into the show and the duo had a lot of fun, at times even making Ivor cringe and pull out what little hair he had left with their sometimes less than politically correct comments.

It was while on this show that the pair realised they had more than motorsport in common. They were both what many people call “Metal Heads”.

Glen’s other passion is for that of heavy metal music and for a time he was the proprietor of Metal Labyrinth a mecca for metal heads. His love for and recall of songs and band members is phenomenal.

Glen is also a self taught drummer whose band plays the odd gig throughout the year.

Recently Glen attended the Melbourne showing of Metal Icons Judas Priest who are fronted by the man they call the “Metal God” Rob Halford. Eagerly Glenn listened and enjoyed the show saying if they don’t play “Victim of Changes” I’ll be annoyed. Yep, you guessed it, they didn’t play it.

Balancing his love of speedway with his love of “metal” is not always easy as many of the acts that fill his massive collection, choose to tour during summer. Often the hard choice is made to miss a concert because a speedway meeting is on and Glen has a job to do.

Glens relationship with RTR promoter Ray Solomon goes back many, many years when both were working at Telstra.

Glen is just one of a team of volunteers who help make the meetings run smoothly as he Darren Fox? and Jason Jones take car of the transponders and timing system utilised at RTR and other tracks at which the All Stars compete. This crew is vital at keeping the announcers up to date with results, speeds and lap records that can be passed onto you the fans Pace Car Les Feltham. Now the pace car driver at RTR, Les comes with very distinguished racing career which has, at times been full of controversy.

The problem with Speedway is that it is just so damn h a r d to wa l k a wa y f r o m.

Thankfully that is the case for Les “Filthy” Feltham.

Les has a long lost of speedway credits to his name having competed over the years in Grand National Sedans, Super Sedans, Sprintcars and then finally in AMCA’s where he won the National Championship.

Les was always a colourful character and had a le-

gion of fans and many a night there was a spirited dice with the likes of other head strong competitors such as Mark Weaver.

Les now gets his speedway fix cutting laps as our pace car driver, reliving the glory days when he led many a field.

Push Cars The Bendigo Push Car Club provide personnel to drive the push cars at RTR. In particular Grant Phillips the franchise owner of the Kangaroo Flat Pedders Store.

Grant treats this job as seriously as he does his business which has won multiple awards as the top regional store in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 as well as being awarded the Top Store in 2005.

Track Preperation.

Ivan Neale.

The difficult and thankless task of track preparation is handled by former Hot Rod racer Ivan Neale. Ivan can be found at the venue most days of the week but come race weekend is ably assisted by both Paul and Chris Solomon, who then climb off the track equipment before climbing into their RTR Sprintcars for that nights competition.

Tow Trucks Tow Trucks are gratefully provided by CALDER TOWING. Various.

Many other people contribute greatly without having a specific task including speedway veteran Graeme Ball and Paul Bowden. There are always more jobs to be done than there are people to do them and RTR management extends its deepest thanks to all those who give their time and effort freely so that the show can be put on.

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RACESAFE RACESAFE is Australia's largest specialised motorsport safety service and the only organisation providing a full range of racetrack emergency services.

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RACESAFE personnel are a group of medical and safety professionals with a common interest in motorsport, providing their time and professional skills in the interests of motorsport safety.

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Trackside Medical Teams

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Fully equipped onsite Trauma and Medical Centres

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Experience in motorsport safety is what sets RACESAFE Motorsport Safety Services personnel apart from the rest. This experience stretches back 15 years and during this time they have spearheaded major changes in the approach to the sports safety. This experience has included such major projects as

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RACESAFE is dedicated to continual improvement of motorsport emergency services.

As the standard and technology of professional motorsport increases, so must the medical, fire and safety standards to ensure that the expectations of RACESAFE as an organisation exceed that of the competitor and promoters.

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine drivers from all around Victoria will battle it out in the 650 Quarter Sprints.

With 600cc and 650cc motorbike engines fitted, the 650s are exciting to Story and Photos by Peter Whitten watch and promise close racing all The Wangaratta Motor Sports Club’s night. speedway program gets underway this weekend with the running of their A full field of Standard Saloons will keep the fans on their toes with plenty first event of the 2008/2009 season. of fender bending action, whilst the The club will hold nine meetings this Ladies’ and Vic Sports Sedans again season, including the Australian make their return to the track.

Championship for Production Sedans next February. With upgraded specta- With a new engine fitted to his Comtor facilities and one of the country’s modore, 14-year old Ben Frankel will best track surfaces, drivers and spec- take up the challenge in the Juniors, tators are again expected to flock to with strong competition from Mills, Farrar and Bowers. With more and the South Wangaratta facility. more laps under his belt, Frankel is This Saturday night’s racing features getting better with each outing, and seven different categories, with well should be the driver to watch. over 80 cars expected to take part in Racing will start at 4pm and is exthe action. pected to continue until around Local drivers will feature strongly, with 11.00pm with all categories racing Victorian Champion Shane Box, and several times during the night. PreChris Lack, both fine tuning their Pro- liminary heats will be followed by a duction Sedans in preparation for final at the end of the program.

February’s title race.

Entry to the track is just $15 for Twenty Compact Speedcars, includ- adults, with children under 16 admiting Australian Champion Danny ted free. A full commentary, event Stainer, will race on the night, while program and catering facilities are SPEEDWAY ACTION BACK AT SOUTH WANGARATTA

offered, as well as access to the pits for those interested in taking a closer look at the competing cars, and for a chance to meet the drivers.

For further information on the Wangaratta Motor Sports Club, visit their website (www.wangcityspeedway.org.au), or phone 0427 308 976.

The full 2008/2009 calendar for the Wangaratta Motor Sports Club is as follows: October 18 November 8 – Vintage meeting November 29 January 10 – 2009 GP Midget Australian title February 6 & 7 – 2009 Australian Production Sedan title March 21 – VSC Sprint Cars April 18 May 23 – twilight meeting PHOTO: Victorian Production Sedan champion, Shane Box, will be back on the track this Saturday night as the Wangaratta City Raceway roars back into action.

Veterans David Crabtree and Peter Bourke (N27) - Avalon - AGP

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Big Season for Victorian AMCA Nationals racers.

Victorian AMCA racers are facing up to another big season of budget based V8 racing with two separate series that can be contested over seven rounds each at up to ten different race tracks.

Throw in the National title and some State Titles and there is plenty to race for during the 2008-2009 season.

With the early start to the season scrutineering will be conducted on September 28 at Avalon and will also include some practice if desired. Paul Clark, Frank Thierry and Stephen Broadbent have already been practicing having contested the NT Title recently where both Broadbent and Thierry collected a pair of top five finishes each, with Broadbent even taking a runner up finish in the companion club show.

Sadly Clark blew his engine in his first heat and was done for the weekend.

The Country Series kicks things off at Rushworth on Saturday October 11 and like all Country Series rounds will carry double points towards end of season overall AMCA championships.

The sister Action Series is the next round kicking off at Rolling Thunder Raceway on October 18. As an added incentive the highest point scorer from the two Action Series rounds that are scheduled for Rolling Thunder Raceway, will receive an invitation to test drive a Rolling Thunder Raceway/Race Trader 360ci All Star Sprintcar at seasons end.

Country series action continues on Sunday November 2 at Ballarat followed a fortnight later by the second round of the Action Series at Rolling Thunder Raceway on Saturday November 15.

The Action Series continues with round three just one week later at Avalon on November 22.

Country competition has a two race spread over the 29th of November and 6th of December at Hamilton and Portland respectively After a short Christmas break, night one of the Barry Reidy Memorial will be run on December 26th at Avalon.

January the 1st and 3rd will see an expectedly large field of cars head north to Brisbane International Raceway for the running of the Australian Championship. Queenslanders have a strong history of success in the National title and Peter Britten’s recent speed and form in Darwin would have him eagerly looking forward to the home state event. Whether defending and triple champion Adam Wallis contests the event remains to be seen, meaning that the current title holder may not contest the event.

In an effort to make it a holiday atmosphere and to encourage more southern and western teams to make the trip north, the Queensland Championship will be held just one week later at Rockhampton on January 10.

Locally the Action series resumes at Avalon on February 7th with the 50 lap enduro.

The next series of events are highly prized with the Tasmanian Championship at Hobart on February 14th followed by the South Australian Championship at the fantastic Borderline Raceway in Mt Gambier on February 21st. The West Australian Championship is slated to be run on February 21st also at Collie Speedway. The Victorian Title is scheduled for Hamilton two weeks later on March 7.

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine With four state titles in four weeks, over three weekends, – some teams are going to be very busy including Portland’s Adam King the current Victorian and South Australian champion.

After the flurry of State Titles, the Country series recommences at Ballarat on Saturday night March 14.

The New South Wales Championship is scheduled for the neat Nowra Speedway on March 21st.

A week later on March 28th Simpson speedway host the AMCA’s for the first time this season in the penultimate round of the Country championship.

Friday 10th of April will see the now traditional interstate challenge event at Mildura’s Timmis Raceway as part of the action series with a rain date (?) of Sunday 12th. Let’s hope there is no repeat of the dramas endured transiting the event like those suffered by Mick Clarke last year.

The prestigious Barry Reidy Memorial is a two night event conducted at both Avalon and Nyora. Night one of the memorial is held on Boxing day at Avalon and the second night is usually conducted the following night or the night after that at Nyora.

This time around night two of the Barry Reidy Memorial will be conducted almost four months later on April 18th at Nyora. This also doubles as the final night of the Action Series.

The Country series concludes on April 25th at the seaside Bairnsdale speedway and then the final event on the Victorian AMCA Calendar the Redline AMCA Track Championship is conducted on Sunday May the 3rd.

The Victorian season is shaping up as another tough season with veterans Bretto Neylan, Adam King, Frank Thierry, Paul Clark, Mick Clarke and Bruce Tait taking on the rising challenge from the new breed including the likes of Mark Lincoln, Stewart Grant-Campbell, Adam Timberlake, Tim Reidy, Dave Best, Trent Susol, Mick Kiraly, Jim Daillidis, Joe Muscat, Steve Broadbent and the “Kerang Kid” Brenton Farrer.

Sunday 28 /09/08 Avalon Scrutineering.

Saturday 11/10/08 Rushworth Country Series Saturday 18 /10/08 Bacchus Marsh Action Series Sunday 2/11/08 Ballarat Country Series Saturday 15/11/08 Bacchus Marsh Action Series Saturday 22/11/08 Avalon Action Series Saturday 29 /11/08 Hamilton Country Series Saturday 6/12/08 Portland Country Series Saturday 27 /12/08 Avalon Action Series 1st and 3rd Jan,2009 Brisbane Aus Title Saturday 10 /01/09 Rockhampton Qld Title Saturday 7 /02/09 Avalon Action Series Saturday 14 / 02/09 Hobart Tas Title Saturday 21 /02/09 Borderline speedway SA Title Saturday 7 /03/09 Hamilton Vic Title Saturday 14 /03/09 Ballarat Country Series Saturday 21 /03/09 Nowra NSW Title Saturday 28 /03/09 Simpson Speedway Country Series Friday 10 /04/09 Mildura Action Series

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ROLLING THUNDER RACEWAY — OPENING NIGHT— A BIG NIGHT AT THE BIG TRACK. The opening round of the Australian Sprintcar All Stars Series supported by Fire Services Plus will be the headline event at this weekends’ resumption to racing at Rolling Thunder Raceway (RTR).

AMCA Nationals, fresh from their season debut last weekend, along with Junior Sedans and Dirt Karts will also be adding to the excitement of the event.

Fans of the Big Bacchus Marsh venue and its brand of exciting Sprintcar racing are eagerly looking forward to the resumption of hostilities in the battle for the All Star crown with drivers from four states already nominated for the event.

Heading the charge will be inaugural and defending champion Darren Hickman (pictured) in his Deep Creek Marina Hotel J&J. Hickman has reaffirmed his passion for 360 cube Sprintcars by also running a second car which will be the Sprintcar Racing Debut of his wife Sandi in the #30 J&J. Sandi has raced AMCA Nationals for a few years now and looked very comfortable in Darren’s #40 while testing at Avalon recently.

Hickman gave his championship season a real boost last season when he won the last RTR All Star feature but this time will be looking to get his title defence off to a much better start with an early victory.

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Brodix Tournament of Champions invitee Ricky Barrand is primed and shakedown at Droin. ready to go around for another season as is Phil Lock, Mark Charge and Frank Ramsdale is back again only this time will be steering Mark Smiths Gavin Taylor. #57. John Stueart will be back in the Paul and Chris Solomon in the Rolling Steuart Brothers #SA15 (Bordertown) Thunder Raceway house cars are also and will make steady improvement if looking for a much better season with given the chance to contend all the new engines and renowned crew races. chief Bill Roberts on board. A pair of Wells built engines will give the boys The emerging Brad Foster is back extra performance as will Roberts. after taking his car and engine over to The elder Solomon has already tested the USA for a few shows and perhis new powerplant and was suitably forming very well. impressed with its performance. Unfortunately the younger of the pair Tasmanian Jamie O’Neill was impresmay have to wait a meeting for his sive in the few rounds he contested new engine due to a couple of crucial on the mainland last year and is capable of springing a surprise result. pieces being delayed in transit.

Newcomers to the season will abound however with many drivers realising that 360 Sprintcars, and in particular ASCS engined cars, are the way to go compared to the more expensive 410 cubic inch units.

Perennial battler Colin Barker has imported an ASCS engine from Americas West Coast, and dual AMCA Nationals Australian Championship runner-up Chris Campbell has also gone down this route.

A big addition to the field will be four time National Super Sedan Champion and current Victorian VSC Sprintcar Champion Peter Logue. Logue has expressed an intention to compete at every event at RTR and recently gave Canberra’s Shaun Forrell will be new his new Shark built ASCS engine a to the series as will Leigh Howard in

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine

the ex Sprintcar Thunder Series winning Maxim of Ian Lewis.

to Sprintcars) and Mick Clark (Hiatus) has really opened the door for drivers on the big track. Trent Susol and Dave Best both took their maiden AMCA Features at this venue last season and that trend may continue with Tim Reidy, Mark Lincoln and Adam Timberlake all set to burst through for their first wins.

Current Victorian and South Australian Champion Adam King won last weekends opener at Rushworth and led the final event here last season until taken out by a flat tyre. Veterans Chris Best, Ricky Clark and a host of rookies will do battle with the added incentive of a Sprintcar Test up for grabs at the conclusion of the two combined AMCA meetings to be held at RTR.

Triple Victorian Marsh Modified State Champion Damien Dannatt will be making his Sprintcar debut driving Ken Hutchins’ #49. Dannatt is used to being a dominant force in the Marsh Mods and will no doubt have some adjusting to do but should be a classy addition to the ranks after a couple of runs to find his feet.

The Junior Sedans will be making their race debut on the big track and it will Another man with some adjusting to be a great experience for the kids on a do may be Victorian Speedcar Club big and fast but wide racing surface.

Champion David Crabtree. It is looking extremely probable that “Crabby” will Also making their debut here will be race the Bob Forbes #27 Maxim this the nimble little Dirt Karts who will weekend. Crabby is not unfamiliar with utilise the infield loop as will the solo’s this car at this venue having sampled and sidecars when they contest their the car at the end of last season. If he Golden Helmet event later in the seacan resist the urge to back the car in son. a-la wingless style, Crabby could be an outside chance of a strong result.

In an interesting aside, Rolling Thunder Raceway will create history this Crow eaters Josh Ruhs (Broken Hill) Saturday night when it kicks off its and Karl Enderl (Mt Gambier) have third straight season of continual comboth entered and both present fast, petition something that it has failed to impeccable machines and both drivers do under the storied venues pervious scored top five finishes on debut with promotorships. the series at last seasons Mildura Finale.

DMT Media Dean Thompson 0412061208 dmtmedia@speedeway.net.au All your Speedway media needs including: • Media Releases.

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Existing Clientele include: • Rolling Thunder E Mag, Rolling Thunder Raceway, Nyora Speedbowl, • Avalon Raceway, Speedway Sedan Digest.

• Peter Whites Speedway World, Leader Newspaper Group.

• Team Drew Motorsport, Team Galley Motorsport, SDAV Hot Rods.

• 3 Litre Sedan Association, Victorian Modified Production Association.

The AMCA Nationals are a crowd favourite at RTR and the drivers get the chance to really crank open the throttle on the V8 beasts. The absence of Mark Weaver (moving

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KEEPING IT HOMEGROWN AND LOCAL AT DROUIN SPEEDWAY

Sunday the 5th of October marked the start of the Drouin Speedway season with healthy interest in the racing from the local community and surrounding area’s shown due to the appearance of the VSC Sprintcars at Drouin for the first time in a number of years.

The day was well supported by the Standard Saloon category with the biggest field of entries for the day and they produced great close racing right throughout the day. Mini Sprintcars, ASCF Sedans, Junior & Ladies Standards also entertained on the day.

The VSC Sprintcars were low in numbers, however not low on intent as Wayne Logue, Dennis Jones and Rod Bowman got down to the business of winning. Logue took out heat one ahead of Jones, Bowman, Darren Painter and Graeme Davies. A pole position start in heat two was enough to give Jones the edge on the field as he held position out front against Bowman and Logue whilst Davies was the only other finisher. The feature was a great tussle between Jones and Bowman with Davies holding strong in third. Jones in the ‘Dennis Jones Engineering #7’ was a worthy winner of the first feature holding a 4 car length lead til the end.

The Standard Saloons were evenly matched through the day and in heat one it was a charge from 7th from Bruce Bullard in the ‘Keena Fencing’ Commodore that took him right through to the win ahead of front row starters of Nathan Fawns and Terry Bullard that entertained the crowd.

Heat two resulted in pole starter Shane Ardley in his new XF Ford leading home the charging pack with Bruce Bullard who had tagged onto the tail of the Ardley car finishing 2nd and Leigh Gooding taking 3rd.

taking the lead. The top four starters LOOKING FOR A COST cleared out a little from the field and EFFECTIVE soon encountered lapped traffic which MEDIA PACKAGE. Bruce Bullard carved his way through nicely. Bullard went on to take the 15 Pirate Media has over 20 years exlap final from Gooding, Terry Bullard, Ardley, Fawns, Wayne Tooze and An- perience in Motorsport media and more specifically in the exciting drew Morris. realms of speedway racing.

The Mini Sprintcars got their season underway with Matt Parsons getting the jump from 4th in his ‘Highpoint Cylinder Heads # 73’ race car to take the chequer flag in heat one ahead of Steve Trewin & former 3 times state champion Ryan McKenna. McKenna was the better trio in the second heat winning from Parsons and Trewin.

Come time for the Mini Sprintcar feature Parsons and McKenna blasted away from the pack and battled furiPirate Media can offer you a one ously for just over half race distance, stop media shop including the prepawhen McKenna pulled infield with engine yips! Parsons led home Trewin ration and distribution of media releases, race photography, media and rookie Kevin Bomford. kits, video presentations and even The ASCF Sedans were supported by sponsorship proposals. the 3 car ‘Ramsdale Wreckers’ team of Competitively priced it is cheaper Russell Hill, son Nick Hill and Kenny than you may think to take care of Griffey. Russell took the win in the two heats whilst Griffey took out the final all your sponsors and fans and get the message out and lift the profile ahead of Nick Hill & Russell Hill. of your team, track or series.

Anne Gooding known locally as ‘Nanny’ took a clean sweep for the day as she won all heats and the feature in her #58 ‘Moe Grain & Farm’ V8 HQ Holden. Sharon Strickland and Sharon Harrison finished in the minor placing’s in the feature.

The Junior Standard Saloons of Cameron Dike and Cindy-Lee Drewry. The 360ci Sprintcar of Peter Logue, the 410ci Sprintcar of Jake Smethurst, the Nos Sprint of Marcus Hams and the Division 2 Hot Rod of John Dike Jnr all put on spirited demonstrations during the day.

Pirate media is the media outlet of choice for Troy Little Racing, Hennessey Motorsport, AMCA Nationals Victoria, Rolling Thunder Raceway.

Drouin Speedway action returns on For further enquiries contact October the 19th with an 11am start Pirate Media on 0410 198 138 or The feature race started with a drag for Crash ‘N’ Bash. Be sure to be early race into the first team between Bruce as the crowd for this one will be mas- brett.swanson@optusnet.com.au Bullard and Ardley with Bullard soon sive. getting the better of the starts and

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NEW SOUTH WELSHMAN MAKES LOUD NOISE IN EUREKA OPENER

Sydney based driver Ian Loudoun blasted away a quality Victorian line up in the opening round of the Eureka Garages and Sheds Sprintcar Series last night (October 11) at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway.

In perfect weather conditions to launch the season, a large crowd greeted a field of 29 drivers who had their machines in immaculate condition for the season opener, however it was Loudoun who left them most impressed after winning the 30-lap final over Grant Anderson and Matthew Reed.

Loudoun made his move in the top six time trial after the heat races, where he qualified third highest on points.

The time trial proved vital, with Loudoun setting the fastest 20-year-old Tim Rankin was fifth highest on points leading time (11.297) to go from third position to pole sitter. into the top six time trial and in his first race meeting utilising a 410 cubic inch motor, he set the second quickest Victorian favourite Reed, who was top point scorer after time (11.402) to earn the right to start the final from the the heats, was the biggest loser in the time trial, setting front row. the fifth fastest time (11.597) which put him on the inside of the third row.

Anderson was third fastest (11.470) ahead of Mollenoyux (11.526), while perennial SRA performer Mike Van Bremen earned the right (11.689) to start the final from sixth position.

Two laps into the 30-lap final the night turned sour for heat race winner Rod Matthews, who barrel rolled heavily in turn two. The Ballarat based driver, in his first race at Avalon since breaking his ankle their last season, started from ninth position and looked poised for a top ten finish.

Moments later another hard luck story of the night came when front row starter Rankin spat the right front torsion bar while in the top five which ended his strong campaign.

In between the early drama, Loudoun had settled at the front ahead of Anderson, Reed and Mollenoyux who looked well placed in fourth until a restart with 24-laps remaining.

Van Bremen and Brett Milburn passed Mollenoyux straight after the restart and he dropped back to sixth.

The race continued to unfold, with Simon Amato and Domain Ramsay pulling infield, while Loudoun handled lap traffic with aplomb to sniff out any chance of an Anderson challenge.

It was all class from the interstate visitor Loudoun, who is the current Australia#3.

“We came down here to pull off a win and we accomplished that, we had a strong car all night and we were fast,” he said.

“It was going to be tough having Grant Anderson and

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ROLLING THUNDER Racing E News/Magazine Matty Reed behind me who are pretty quick around Avalon but fortunately I worked my way through lap traffic well which helped,� Loudoun added.

Although Loudoun took the honours in the final ahead of Anderson and Reed, highest on points after the round one event was Reed who sits 19points clear of Loudoun.

In fourth place in the final was the consistent Van Bremen, while Mollenoyux and Milburn rounded out the top six. Carl Ludeman and New South Wales driver Eddie Lumbar had fine starts to the season alongside Harley Bishop and South Australian Glen Sutherland who finished in the top ten. Charles Hunter and Ron Dalton rounded out the finishing field.

great for Redpath who was relegated to eighth position Heat race victories went to Reed, Anderson, Rankin, due to passing before the front straight cone on a restart. This opened the door for fifth place Bishop for a Matthews, Mollenoyux and Ludeman. position in the main event.

There was also plenty of action in the last chance BMain event with Phil Down causing the first red light It was an excellent opening night for the Eureka Gastoppage of the season with a big roll over in turn three rages and Sheds Sprintcar Series, which will be screened on Fox Sports program Chequered Flag in the coming and four. months.

It was a hectic race for the transfer position, with Amato, Redpath, Sutherland and Hunter crossing the The second round will be held at Moama’ on Nov 8. finishing line in the top four. However, the news was not

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Avalon Supports—October 11th.

With the inaugural NOS Sprints National Championship to be held in Victoria this season, the locals are sitting in the box seat being that the NOS Sprints, or Sportsmans as they used to be known, have been around down south for close to thirty years.

With this in mind, Colac’s Mark Balcombe sped to the first win of the year in the NOS Sprint final in a large field of cars that featured plenty of new cars and rookie drivers. Shane Stevens also performed well as did local Andy Hibbert while Victorian Formula 500 champion Jessica Moulden made a cameo appearance driving the Chook Whitehead owned #35 into a top 5 finish.

Brad McClure was also in fine form as he romped to the Street Stock final victory. Taking little time to settle into a new season, the former national champion led all the way to a convincing win.

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