Edition 23

Page 1

ISSUE

23 2019

EXCLUSIVE

COUNTRY EVENTS WINGLESS TITLE LATE MODEL TITLE

Who is Highline Magazine Editor: Brett Swanson Artist/Layout; Andy Ticehurst Contributors; Kaylene Oliver, Grant Woodhams, Ray Read, Andy Ticehurst. Photographers: Brett Swanson – Pirate Media Kieran Swanson – Pirate Media Brett Williams – Lone Wolf Photography Andy Ticehurst – PRM Group Rachel Cooper - Inaction Photos Leigh Reynolds - Inaction Photos Geoff Gracie Wayne Martin (WA) <!-- Generator: Adobe Illustrator 22.1.0, SVG Export Plug-In --> <svg version=”1.1” xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/ svg” xmlns:xlink=”http://www.w3.org/1999/ xlink” xmlns:a=”http://ns.adobe.com/AdobeSVGViewerExtensions/3.0/” x=”0px” y=”0px” width=”1316.5px” height=”1185.7px” viewBox=”0 0 1316.5 1185.7” style=”enable-background:new 0 0 1316.5 1185.7;” xml:space=”preserve”> <style type=”text/css”>

Nathan Disney has taken out the Qu dominant style. All hail the Newcas

www.HighlineMagazine.com.au Cover, Main: It’s never a good start to your season when your engine starts haemorrhaging like perennial Parramatta racer Grant Tunks’ did while in pursuit of “just one more” quick lap. Brett Williams Photo. Bottom Left: The A-Main field fills Avalon’s front straight ahead of the controversial Victorian Wingless Championship. Pirate Media Group Image. Bottom Right: Another typically crisp shot from Lone Wolf Brett HIGHLINE MAGAZINE | EDITION 23 | 2 Williams this time of winner Trent Keelers neat Mustang RSA V8 Outlaw Sedan at Gunnedah.

ueensland State Title for 2019. Winning both his heats and the A Main in stle Nightmare.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

Editorial Welcome back. It’s been another period of hectic big time speedway racing of late and there is still plenty more to come. Congratulations to Robbie Farr on his first ever win in the South West Conveyancing 47th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway. Farrs win was an extremely popular one. In all of his previous attempts Farr had barely even made a podium but now his resume is complete and he also launched himself into exalted company and creates his own piece of history as the only driver to have won the Australian Open Sprintcar Championship, the Australian 360 Sprintcar Championship, the Australian Speedcar Championship, a World Series Sprintcars Championship and now a Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic. Does that mean Robbie now parks the Barry Waldren owned Q7 a satisfied racer? No way! As we go to publication Robbie has just contested his first Australian Late Model Championship at his former home track in Sydney and was leading with just a few laps to run after coming from deep in the B-Main. Imagine if he had of won that! While Farr was having one of the best weekends of his career at the Classic, one driver (amongst many) at the other end of the spectrum was Darwin’s Jamie O’Neill. O’Neill’s

4

HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

POINT OF VIEW

dramas weren’t limited to just his on-track misfortunes but also a scary incident that happened on the road between Mt Gambier and Warrnambool with the transporter. Thankfully everyone was okay. But just to add insult to injury O’Neill was caught up in a number of on track incidents that created a week he and the team would rather forget. Speaking of the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic which is fast approaching its 50th anniversary, two things were announced on the classic weekend. The first is that it is returning to its traditional date over the Australia day long weekend from next year onwards, and the second and more important announcement was that the 50th rendition will again be supported by the burgeoning South West Conveyancing concern of Tanya Jasper and Alistair McKean and will pay $50,000 to the winner.

Congratulations also to veteran Andrew Scheuerle who put his local knowledge to great use to claim the Australian Sprintcar Championship in Queensland. Scheuerle used to be a bit of a road warrior with his first ever Sprintcar feature win surprisingly coming on a dry slick track at Kalgoorlie as part of World Series. Scheuerle has also contested his share of Classics and Aussie titles but in recent years as his career has wound down has elected to stay closer to home and pick up some wins in the local series’.

Just ahead of the Aussie Title something told me that there could be an upset result due to the shape and nature of the track and Scheuerle was my pick. Todd Wanless did the same thing many years ago and then to his credit spent the next season travelling far and wide as he felt the current Aussie Champion had an obligation to showcase the numThat ought to drag a few more ber 1 Australia wide. Americans back out after a year Scheuerle has since taken his when there was only 5 in action, first feature win with the #1 proudalthough they were all high quality ly emblazoned on the tail tank at though. the venue where he took the coveted title.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

Winner, Winner, No Chicken Dinner. It wasn’t the first time, and it probably won’t be the last, but after winning the Victorian Wingless Sprint Championship at Avalon and getting to do the coveted victory lap with the chequered flag Leongatha’s Dayn Bentvelzen was then stripped of the title for a non-technical, technical breach. Bentvelzen had driven the Adrian Densley owned car to perfection in the final pushing majority race leader Luke Weel from the drop of the green and looking slightly faster although unable to effect a pass on the one lane track. When Weel blew his right rear tyre, Bentvelzen took over and went on to win the race. While Storer left with the trophy and Following the victory lap and the cheque, Bentvelzen left with nothcage dance, Bentvelzen was ing other than a hard lesson and pushed to scale and made weight. personal satisfaction about his drivFrom there it turned sour as in his ing performance – well 99.99% of it haste to get back and celebrate with anyway. his car owner and crew he went straight back to his pit box and thus Controversial and colourful charachanded the win to runner up Luke ter Paul Stubber is the new AustralStorer. ian Late Model Champion after winWhile witnesses and go-pro camera’s showed no one touched the car which was quickly sent back to parc-ferme, he was excluded as he had not gone directly to post race tech inspection, as per the pre- race regulations/rules.

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

POINT OF VIEW

Congratulations also to Alex Ross who bested a huge field of 109 other Wingless Sprint competitors to become the latest Australian Champion. If memory serves me correctly Ross was yet to win a feature in local Victorian racing but has now trumped everyone. Congrats also to car owner Mick Uebergang and the entire crew. Highline also extends its applause to Kevin Britten and Matt Hardy who both scored National titles in their respective V8 Dirt Modified and AMCA divisions at Toowoomba. That makes it four titles for Britten and two for Hardy. ning the event recently in Sydney. In what was reportedly a real shot in the arm for big sedan racing in Australia, Stubber was just one of many drivers to lead the event but after being sent to the rear of the grid early he was the one who led when it mattered most, capitalising on the misfortunes of others.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Andrew Sheuerle became the latest “local” to win the prestigious Australian Sp Scheuerle bested James McFadden and Jamie Veal. Declan Brownsey 44 Pho 10 HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

printcar Championship at his home track of Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway. otography photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

The recent months have been very fruitful for Queensland racers in National Ti has now eclipsed big brother Peter’s three titles and shares the moment at Too 12Mitchell Randall and 2013/14 Champion David Clark. Declan Brownsey 44 Pho HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

itles with Kevin Britten taking his fourth V8 Dirt Modified national crown. Kevin owoombah Speedway, with family and friends. Britten defeated Lismore’s otography photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

On the same program as the V8 Dirt Modified’s national crown was the AMCA Matt Hardy from Lee McKinnell and Tony Blanch. Hardy had to work hard for th 14Photography photo. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

Nationals Australian Championship, that was taken out for the second time by he win after staring in the second half of the grid (11th). Declan Brownsey 44 /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Late Model Sedans reminded people just how good big sedan car racing can b (right), Brad Smith (Left, Devil – GTO) and Clayton Pyne (rear) at the Australia 16Brett Williams Photo. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

be with action like this betweenAmerican Jeff Roth (Leading), Mick Nicola an Later Model Championship held recently at Valvoline Raceway. /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

American Joe Godsey (a name very familiar from the Grand National Sedan da tunate clash between himself and John Lodge took him out of the running. The was a result of two hard chargers and a rough piece of track. Brett Williams Ph 18 HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

ays) was a stand-out at the national Late Model Championship until an unfore magnanimous American didn’t blame Lodge for the incident having realised it hoto.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Blake Lutiger gets his machine up on the infield berm and lets the rocks fly in t

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

this awesome Brett Williams Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

007 768

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was leadi o

Former champion Callum Harper tried hard all weekend but like many was elim

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ing all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

minated after only 3 laps after a multi-car pile-up. Brett Williams Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Former Street Stock racer John Lodge was the star of the show in only his four any other driver but was allegedly the recipient of a bad call to lay the blame fo 26effectively out of contention. Brett Williams Photo. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

rth Late Model race and was well in contention leading more A-Main laps than or the incident with Godsey at his feet sending him to the rear of the field and /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Eventual champion Paul Stubber is seen here in his pristine yellow #31 battling suffered an early set back that dropped him to 19th but he rallied back to put h 28with a blown tyre and then Ryan Alexander dropped out with just 5 laps left to r HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

g it out with Darryl Grimson (r) and Ross Nicastri (l). In the main event Stubber himself into position to take the lead when firstly Robbie Farr fell out of the lead run. Brett Williams Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Young Victorian Cameron Pearson sat his V10 Rocket on the front row and led 30follow Stubber across the line for a well earned runner-up result. Brett Williams HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

d the opening stanza before dropping back. The young gun then rallied back to s Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

A jubilant Paul Stubber enjoys his first Australian Late Model Championship wi

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

in. Declan Brownsey 44 Photography photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was leadi o

Jackson Goldie was leading the RSA Australian Junior Championship final AT C 34liams was on the spot to get the shot. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ing all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

Cullen Bullen up to lap 7 then his engine let go big time and our man Brett Wil/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

More RSA Australian Junior Sedan Championship action caught by Brett Willia 36runner-up Brock Youngberry alongside Jackson Goldie. Podium finisher Conno HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

ams from the tiny Cullen Bullen Raceway, NSW with eventual Championship or Reeves sits further back in the #98.

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

‘ 38Shanyn Duggan powers down the back straight into the lengthening shadows i HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

in the Street Stocker division @ Cullen Bullen. Brett Williams Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Emerging talent Max Essai captured the RSA Junior New Stars Australian Title 40Championship trophy (Inset). Brett Williams Photos. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

e @ Cullen Bullen while Josh Boyd stands proudly with the “Senior� Junior /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

More Junior Sedan action but this time it’s SSA Juniors with NSW 2 Jaiden He

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

ealy powering around Dubbo Speedway. Brett Williams Photo

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Ed Newton has his neat looking Pontiac nicely poised in the RSA V8 Outlaw se

44

HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

edans at Dubbo’s Morris Park Speedway. Brett Williams Photo. /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Neville Witt – AMCA Nationals – Dubbo. Brett Williams Photo.

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Monique Bailey pushes hard in her Production sedan at Morris Park, Dubbo. B

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

Brett Williams Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Scott Connole’s pretty F500 @ Gunnedah. Brett Williams Photo.

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Another F500 young gun Nathan Pryor also in the F500’s @ Gunnedah. Brett W

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

Williams Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Gary Burgess (5) and Steff Semenczuk (4) in their V8 Outlaw Sedans @ Gunn

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

nedah. Brett Williams Photo. /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Mark Towers’ V8 Outlaw sedan could easily fit within the National Super Sedan

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| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

n regulations. Brett Williams Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Robbie Farr has done a lot of winning this season but this moment caught by Br 58 HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

rett Williams clearly isn’t one of them.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Matt Smith has the Precision Air #70 speedcar beautifully balanced powering o 60

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| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

off Parramatta’s turn four with the sun at his back. Brett Williams Photo. /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

Matt Dumesny has had a solid season in the Simmons Contracting #57 with a however has outdone him with two wins at the same venue. Brett Williams Pho

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was leadi o

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win in the Valvoline supported car at Valvoline Raceway. Little Brother Marcus oto.

ing all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

Sapphire Speedway near Bega in NSW is set I possibly the most picturesque l historically significant race races such as the ex-Larry Burton (USA) Trostle now John Dean car being driven here by Dick Pruen. Brett Williams Photo.

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was leadi o

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location of any Australian speedway and what better venue to showcase some w owned and driven by Lance T Wilson and the John Player Special like ex

ing all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

Dick Drury is seen here, again at Sapphire Speedway in his classy Super Mod Brett Williams Photo.

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

66

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dified while Tony Dale runs up top in the ex-Doug Wolfgang Trostle.

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Americans Parker Price-Miller, Carson Macedo, Cory Eliason and a Bobby Alle Dumesy and Marty Perovich at the 10th and final Scott Darley Classic. Brett W 68 HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

en car parade their country’s flags ahead of Ian Madsen, Brooke Tatnell, Max Williams Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

70 bit of fun at Halloween with the Street Stocks at Avalon as Pumpkin Head (Da A HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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arren Forrest) leads a pack into turn 1. Inaction Photos.

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Modified Production sedan action from Avalon sees Nick Cockerill leading Kye 72Inaction Photos. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

e Walters in some close racing for which this class is renowned. /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

When you talk about racing on a budget, then HFM is one of those teams that 74ing steady progress this season after an upgrade of chassis and some driver c HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

you think about. Heyen Family Motorsport driver Jamie Heyen has been makcoaching from former National Champion Brett Lacey.

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Rhys Baxter is another emerging talent in Victorian Sprintcar racing. After a so 76less division and then more recently the 410 winged variety. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

omewhat stellar career in go-Karts Baxter then came to the ovals via the Wing/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Speaking of exciting young prospects, Gippsland’s Bobby Daly is yet anotherto season of Open Sprintcar competition. The humble young racer doesn’t believe 78shown the truth to be otherwise. However, like all sprintcar racers, you can get HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

o keep an eye on with a couple of podium finishes already in only his second e he’s good enough to be on the podium with the established stars but has t caught out from time to time.

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Linda Savage from Savage Shots snapped this happy snap of the Eureka Gar brightest is local hero and winner Steven Lines after a stunning drive on a diffi possibility to score his first feature win, while Queensland’s Lachlan McHugh a 80damaging the car with a couple of solid knocks against the concrete. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

rages and Sheds series podium finishers from the Mt Gambier round. Smiling ficult track. “The General� Jack Lee (left) finished second after looking a strong also looked a chance but in the end was lucky to finish let alone podium after /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Ace lensman Stephen Pickering took this nice shot of local lady Lisa Walker ha

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

ard on the gas at Murray Bridge Speedway

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

In this shot Luke Dillon takes the chequered flags on yet another feature win a 84Picko’s Photos. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

at Murray Bridge, this time in the Bill Wigzell Battle at the Bridge. /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

There’s a lot going on in this shot from World Series Speedweek at Mt Gambie 86volved. Photo by Snapperiffic. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

er with Darren Mollenoyux, Rory, Button, Jake Smith and Brock Hallett all in/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Jamie O’Neill’s attack on the Presidents Cup, Kings Challenge and the Grand A pressive outfit shows. Unfortunately about the only thing that survived the five 88Pirate Media Group Photo. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

| EDITION 23 |

ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

Annual Sprintcar Classic long weekend started out looking good as this imnight thrash without any damage was the mule (see editorial). /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Indiana’s Parker Price-Miller was again teamed with the Harding Specialties out Grand Annual Classic eastern swing. Photo by Wayne Martin. 92

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

tfit for both the USA V Australia challenge series in Western Australia and the /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

Southern Zone Farr finally cashes in at the Classic while under weight, un-restrained and unlucky Gio Scelzi left down-under with unrealized potential. While Queenslander Robbie Farr was finally reaching his “Classic” potential, another driver at the other end of his career spectrum was coming up way short after an embarrassing series of events and some bad luck deprived the huge threeday South West Conveyancing 47th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic crowd of seeing this prodigious talent in full flight. That was just one of the stories that unfolded at this year’s Classic, that saw an emotional and universally popular win by Robbie Farr to top his career resume. Farr now becomes (if he wasn’t already) a living, breathing, walking, talking piece of history as the only man on the planet to have won the Classic, as well as an Australian Sprintcar Championship, an Australian Speedcar Championship, and of course a World Series Sprintcars Championship. All hail King Robbie.

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Once again a strong entry of over 100 cars was received by the Premier Speedway club and this despite only 5 Americans being included amongst them. Of the 5 Americans, at least 4 were a legitimate shot at winning the race including 2014 champ Tim Kaeding, last year’s runner up Carson Macedo, Hot shot Cory Eliason and wonder kid Gio Scelzi. Indiana’s Parker Price-Miller would have to be considered an outside chance only.

Presidents Cup – Avalon. As usual the week started early with a capped field of 48 cars contesting the Presidents Cup at Avalon before a large mid-week crowd who were to witness Scelzi put on a show after dicing hard with James McFadden for the win. Scelzi’s speed and driving

talent were clearly on display and had the punters on hand gasping at his ability and wondering whether anything other than bad luck could stop this teenager winning the classic on debut. McFadden gave it his all after leading the first 13 laps only to be passed and then retaking the lead on the following lap. Scelzi retook the lead on lap 16 and held on until the end. Jamie Veal finished 3rd while Farr quietly went about moving from 10th to 4th just ahead of Mike Van Bremen who’d had a solid night that commenced with a fast time in his qualifier. Sydney’s Peter O’Neill was thankfully shaken and bruised but otherwise unhurt after his once pristine N83 hit the turn 1 wall a savage blow after a component failure sent him into the concrete with a sickening thud. O’Neill’s car was

junk but the crew spent the time in the MtGambier pits building a new machine and Peter bravely took his place in the 47th Classic.

Kings Challenge – Mt Gambier. Unfortunately the Kings Challenge failed to give any further true indication of form with a couple of light rain showers interrupting the second set of heats and then killing the meeting off for good just ahead of the features. Only the drivers who contested the Challenge had any feel for their speed, including Farr who was very happy with the car.

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Classic - Night 1 American Cory Eliason and Brad Keller set fast time in the two qualifying “flights” and converted that into A-Main qualification after a pair of heats each which included a win for each driver. Tasmanian Jamie Bricknell was a surprise pole sitter for the preliminary feature alongside another surprise in Luke Walker. McFadden, Ryan Jones, Steven Lines, Veal, Eliason, Price-Miller, Darren Mollenoyux, Jamie McHugh, Jack Lee, Tim Van Ginneken, Jessie Attard, Jock Goodyer, Brock Hallettt, Grant Stansfield, Marcus Dumesny, Keller, Ben Atkinson and Kaeding. Brenten Farrer, Charles Hunter, Ian Madsen and Tim Hutchins made it in via the B-Main where sentimental favourite Max Dumesny just missed out. McFaddens WA17 emitted an unusual staccato sound as he powered past Bricknell after a couple of laps to take the lead. McFaddens highline display however only lasted until about lap 12 when he pulled a big slider under a lapped car into turn three, slid up into the wall and flipped out of the race handing the lead and the win to Veal. McFadden was at a loss to explain the wreck stating he’d driven it the same as previous laps but a replay showed he came from a long way back and obviously carried a bit more speed up the treacherously thin cushion that couldn’t hold him off the wall. Walker had the crowd on tender-hooks as it seemed he was destined for a brilliant runner up position but the old late race restart hurt him badly dropping two spots before recovering to 3rd behind Jones but ahead of Eliason who’d passed him at one stage. Fellow American Price-Miller completed the 96

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top five so there was absolutely no disgrace in Walkers podium finish. A number of drivers suffered hard wrecks including Daniel Sayre, Atkinson, Rusty Hickman, Eddie Lumbar, Kristy Ellis and others.

Classic - Night 2. The other half of the field assembled for night two and the weather conditions were much more favourable. Farr and defending champion Corey McCullagh were the fast men from their respective flights. Farr converted his front row heat to a win and McCullagh was racing away to a similar victory when his left rear tyre blew slamming his left arm, pitching him into the wall and out of the classic due to injury. After being one of the guest speakers at that mornings Classic breakfast Scelzi hit the track and promptly won heat four. But it was at this point that it all started to unwind for him. At the Presidents Cup event at Avalon he’d been warned that his car was close to the minimum weight limit and this time it was actually under the limit. Scelzi was sensationally and rightfully disqualified from the heat. Scelzi needed redemption and while others were struggling to move forward in their reverse grid heats, Scelzi powered to the heat 8 win and this time was above the weight limit. Scelzi is nothing, if not a racer and he made amends by racing his way to the final transfer in the B-Main behind Jye O’Keeffe, John Vogels and Kevin Titman.

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Macedo, Brooke Tatnell, Farr and Brayden Parr had qualified onto the first two rows of the 2nd preliminary feature followed by Matt Egel, Keke Falland, Luke Dillon, Grant Anderson, Jordyn Charge, Danny Reidy, Kerry Madsen, Max Johnston, Marcus Dumesny, Mitch Wormall, Terry Rankin, Sammy Walsh, James Inglis, Andrew Wright, Daniel Pestka and Ricky Maiolo along with the BMain boys. Scelzi would start dead last. A determined Tatnell led the field away as much position swapping was going on behind. All the brave (read fast) men were up on the wall and then on about lap 15 Tatnell tagged the wall a solid blow exiting turn 4. Such was the bump I expected him to be out instantly but he manfully raced on with a crippled car allowing only Macedo to get past initially. Farr eventually worked his way into 2nd but despite his damage and a deflating right rear tyre, neither Amdsen, Anderson or anyone else could get past. Madsen and Anderson finally worked their way past the veteran who grimly held on until within sight of the white flag the tyre finally gave up and deflated leaving Tatnell to muscle the car across the line a disappointed 14th. Conversely, Scelzi worked his way from 24th to 8th giving himself a shot at making the big dance the following night – but more on that soon. As is normal at the Classic, more drivers went upside down including Rhiannon Burleigh, Parr and Brendan Rallings while Paul Solomon scored an unexpected heat win almost dropping the F Bomb in victory lane.

Classic – Final night.

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A further heat faced all surviving drivers on the Classic Sunday night and if Scelzi thought his dramas were over he was sadly mistaken. Scelzi had driven his ring off to give the team a shot at making the final show but when he incredibly came out for his final heat without his arm restraints on he was again disqualified making it virtually impossible for him to make the Classic A-Main. “I feel really bad,” Said Official Robbie Rankin. “I was the one who told him he was underweight and now I’ve had to disqualifying him again for not Wearing arm restraints.” Rankins spirits were later lifted in a joyous moment when his young son Terry qualified into the main event via B-Main 2. Rookie James Aranyosi was facing an insurmountable task but raced on determinedly to win the D-Main. Jessie Attard and Peter Doukas won their respective C-Main and then Goodyer, Keller, Jones and Van Ginneken transferred via BMain 1 with Parr, Walsh, Rankin and Charge making it from B-Main 2. Scelzi had narrowly kept the dream alive by starting C-Main 2 from 3rd and was running second until he was caught up with some spinning backmarkers. From a 13th place restarting position Scelzi ended a frustrating Classic debut 9th. So the 47th Classic field was finally set with a few surprises amongst the field. Eliason who’d been fast since arriving down-under had pole from Tatnell, Veal, Farr, Walker, McFadden, Dillon, Bricknell, Kerry Madsen (who’d refused pre-race pho-

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

tos as the flash was too bright), Mollenoyux, Macedo, Kaeding, Egel, Lines, Johnston and the respective B-Mainers. At the drop of the green Eliason burst into the lead with Farr feeling fast and comfortable quickly moving to 2nd. The racing surface was generally black except for a car width on the highline and this was where the quick guys were again racing. Eliason quickly pulled a gap, but was a little bit ragged compared to those behind and also after tyres had blistered in the C-Main doubts remained about tyres and had he gone too hard to early? The point became mute when Eliason’s wretched summer luck continued as he encountered some spun backmarkers and careened into them ending his race. Farr then assumed the lead but those behind were pushing hard with multiple dices for position entertaining the crowd. Farr is a gas-man and is not known for his finesse on slick tracks but the narrow brown ribbon above the black track gave hope that he could pull-off the one win that had until now eluded him and so he did. Veal came home second and Madsen’s prerace frustrations with a slight lack of speed saw him in better spirits with a late step up onto the podium. Behind them came Tatnell, McFadden, Anderson and Walker in a tight jostling bunch. Egel, Bricknell and Kaeding completed the top ten with Charge getting the hard charger award after starting 22nd and finishing 16th.

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So, all in all a great week of racing with finally a win for Farr. Will this mean he will soon retire? I hope not as the 45 year-old is still at the top of his game at this stage of his career. Will Scelzi return next year to make amends? Let’s hope so? There’s so much to look forward to at the 48th running of this time honoured event.

$50,000 for 50th. The other news that is sure to drag increasing numbers of Americans back will be the announcement that the South West Conveyancing 50th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic will be worth $50,000 to the winner.

Date Change For those looking to pencil in accommodation for next year, don’t forget that the 48th running will revert back to its traditional Australia Day Weekend. We’ll see you all there.

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Jason Kendrick has been absent from the east coast the last couple of seasons and 102 titles including this year’s USA Sprint Speedweek series. Wayne Martin pho HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

s put has really found his form in his home state of WA with numerous wins oto.

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

High flying Luke Cole wasn’t the only competitor to have trouble trying to win th Speedway Recently. With 110 entries the numbers eclipsed the Grand Annual C 104 HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

he Australian Wingless Sprint Championship held at Warrnambool’s Premier Classics 104. Inaction Photo.

/HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Luke Sayre was back in the family’s Wingless for the Aussie Title but just like his races outside of Mason Cattell. Inaction Photo. 106 HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

Grand Annual Classic Attempt a few weeks earlier was out of luck. Here he /HIGHLINE-MAGAZINE

nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was lead o

Grinners, and winners. The Aussie Wingless title podium – Left to right – Runne and Dayn Bentvelzen who charged from deep I the field to take the final step on 108 HIGHLINE MAGAZINE

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

er up and pole sitter for the last three years Luke Weel, Winner Alex Ross, n the podium. Inaction photo.

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FORGOTTEN VISITOR FORTIES AND FIFTIE

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RS OF THE ES?

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While the 1960s’ will forever be known as Australia’s golden era of Speedcar racing, the foundation for that fabulous period of open cockpit combat was set in the previous decade and the years immediately after World War Two. Arguably the best midget/speedcar racing ever witnessed happened in the United States during the post war years of the late 1940’s. It was the time when the massively popular Gilmore Stadium, a purpose built speedcar track in Los Angeles, which had a capacity of 18,000 regularly had the ‘House Full’ sign at the front gate. Out of Gilmore came early Australian visitors Perry Grimm and Cal Niday. Grim and Niday set the Australian speedcar world alight with their equipment and racing ability. While written documentation of their Australian achievements is hard to come by their impact was still very evident in the 1960’s. At the fabled Sydney Showgrounds, the mecca of Australian speedcar racing Grimm set a new one lap record in 1948 and he still held the 2 lap record at the beginning of the 1962-63 season, while Niday amazingly held the same record for 2 laps from a standing start! Niday also held the four lap record. New Zealander Frank “Satan” Brewer who had been racing in the US since before World War Two also travelled to Australia to race and he too was massively successful at the Showgrounds where he owned the five and six lap records up until the 62-63 season. Grimm drove for the famous Vic Edelbrock concentrating most of his racing in the very lucrative Californian United Midget Racing Association. He was one of the stars of Gilmore where he won the 1946 and 1949 Turkey Night Grand Prix one of the major races on the US calendar. He is often said to be the father of modern Australian speedcar racing because when he and Niday arrived here, Grimm with his Kurtis Kraft V8-60 and Niday in an Offenhauser they took the competition apart. Grimm generously allowed for his car to be copied and organ112

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ised for the delivery of Edelbrock engines and speedcar parts to Australia. Fellow touring companion Cal Niday who had lost a leg as a young man was equally as impressive as Grimm and it was Niday who would win the World Championship at the Sydney

Showgrounds in 1947 and then follow it up by winning the third running of the Australian Grand Prix at the same venue in 1948. While Frank Brewer was from New Zealand he did the bulk of his racing in the United States

where along with Grimm and Niday he was virtually a professional sportsman. When he spent time at the Western Springs track in Auckland he invariably raced off the back mark. When Brewer arrived in Australia in 1949 his battles

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with local Champion Ray Revell became the stuff of legend. The local speedcar fraternity looked forward to his Australian appearances and his battles with Revell pulled big crowds through the Showgrounds as well as the Sydney Sportsground

and Brisbane Exhibition gates. Another America import who did much to lay the foundations for the 1960’s was Dick “Jet” Brown. Like Grimm, Niday and Brewer before him Brown was a total professional with superb equipment and skills to match. But unlike them he was not part of the Californian midget scene. Brown was from the east coast of the United States and raced primarily with the American Racing Drivers Club and North East Midget Association sanctioning groups. Brown in fact became the NEMA Champion in 1960 and 1961 and sits tenth in their all time winners’ list. Brown raced in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide 114

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in the mid 1950’s and didn’t disappoint. Brown was the first driver that famous South Australian promoter Kym Bonython signed to race at Rowley Park in Adelaide. At the Sydney Showgrounds racing a speedcar provided by Empire Speedways who promoted the Sydney and Brisbane tracks he etched his name into

the history books annexing the three lap record in a match race with a time of 58.6 seconds. He won the World Speedcar Championship in 1957. Brown also established a good race rivalry with Australian favourite Ray Revell and German driver Werner Greve who in the mid 50’s had become one of Sydney’s leading drivers. By the time the 1960’s arrived between Grimm, Niday, Brewer and Brown an incredible legacy had been created. A legacy that started in the 1930’s and continues to this very day. Dare we never forget that fabulous four and what they gave us in an era when the roll bar was yet to

be introduced!

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