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Who is Highline Magazine Editor: Brett Swanson Artist/Layout; Andy Ticehurst Contributors; Kaylene Oliver, Grant Woodhams, Andy Ticehurst, Shaun McDonald Photographers: Brett Swanson – Pirate Media Kieran Swanson – Pirate Media Andy Ticehurst – Andy Ticehurst Media Brett Williams – Lone Wolf Photography Anthony Loxley / Full Throttle Publishing Geoff Gracie (SA) Racing Fix (QLD) Shayne T Wright (VIC) Josh Cochrane (WA)
Cover: Main: Ash Bergmeier displays some attitude at Heartland raceway in his Super Sedan while (right) David “Buzzard” Aldersley takes a Sprintcar tumble at the same venue. Shayne T Wright photos.. Bottom: Some great Junior Solo action. Terry Scriven Photo Inside cover: V8 Crossover – Supercars racer Brodie Kostecki went back to his dirt track roots with a blast in the Boost Mobile Sprintcar in Qld. Racing Fix Photo.
Craig Mobley (USA)
www.HighlineMagazine.com.au
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Editorial
Welcome to edition 32. Shake up at Australia’s Premier Speedway. After 15 years of steering the ship at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway, General Manager David Mills has left to take up a new role. Following a meeting with the club on Wednesday night (20th April) after the season ending Easter Trail, Mill’s handed in his resignation from this coveted position. In a statement released Thursday (21st) Mills stated, “I have been offered and subsequently accepted a new role, in what I hope will be an exciting new chapter for me allowing me more time with my family.” “I have given my heart and sole to the club and still love Premier Speedway and the sport of Speedway dearly and hope that my efforts over the past 15 years will allow me to continue to be a part of the Club sometime in the near future in a different capacity.” Obviously for Mills himself this was no surprise and came as no real shock to many others as Mills had intimated to a few earlier in the year that this may be his last season at the club. The last few seasons had become a struggle for all tracks, not just Premier Speedway, with the effect of covid lockdowns, and quarantining, on volunteers and fans – the lifeblood of the sport, and this may have in part contributed to wearing down Mills’ resolve to head up the 50th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic which ironically if not
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PIRATES POINT OF VIEW
of GM, he suggested to Parry to consider applying for the position. Mills had absolutely no input as to his replacement but has offered to Paul Hose, the clubs Vice President and another of the silent con- assist the new GM with anything tributors behind the scenes also re- related to the role. signed at last night’s club meeting leaving “the Board” on the hunt for Parry comes in staring down the a new VP and a General Manager. barrel of a new season and most importantly, the 50th Grand Annual Highline Magazine and Pirate Me- Sprintcar Classic. dia Group would like to acknowledge David for his efforts over the Highline magazine is sure Parry will fill the at times difficult role past 15 years. admirably and will offer any assistance required. And the winner is??? Mick Parry. Michael Parry, former Street Stock Racer, former National President of the Wingless Sprints and former Eureka Series team manager at David Dickson Motorsport has been appointed as Daniel Pestka and the Starke Family team of Jamie and James the new general manager at PreStarke, almost, became the first mier Speedway. South Australian team to win the Parry has been around the sport prestigious Eureka Garages and for a very long time and in recent Sheds Sprintcar series. years has had roles in the management side of both the Wingless I don’t mean almost because they Sprints and Dicksons Sprintcar team and so this opportunity came nearly won it, they did in fact win the series, but there was just the at the perfect time for Parry with small issue of Pestka using Kenny Dickson closing his team at the Hutchins’ Victorian based team end of last season. and car at the Wangaratta round, Recently outgoing GM Mills told that means that it wasn’t purely a Highline that when he knew that South Australian team that won Dickson was shutting shop and that he himself was leaving the role this seasons’ title. for Covid, would have been this one just past.
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All that aside, however, Pestka and the team(s) where almost faultless and were super consistent on their way to the deserved championship. For the first time ever, Grant Anderson chased the whole title, like Pestka, using a combination of teams and cars in the process. When Ando wasn’t in the family’s familiar blue and yellow V37 he was steering Brad Fosters V11.
huge advantage over those that don’t have it, yet they are making a fuss about the potential use of “Smartwatches” as pit to car communication devices. Those familiar with smart watches will know that you can read text messages on your watch that have been sent to your mobile phone if your phone and watch have been connected by bluetooth.
Anderson was very fast and consistent also but a dnf at Moama hurt him a bit and a planned race at the Eastern Creek Speedway opener was always going to hinder his chances. Then when the ECS opener was rained out he seemed to have been given a reprieve. However, when the Avalon-Warrnambool double header was also rained out Ando’s chances were virtually officially done. Heading into the final round Pestka merely had to attend the drivers briefing in his race suit and he couldn’t be beaten – which he duly did.
The suggestion seems to be that a team(s) has been communicating with their driver(s) through this method. What could they be telling them? Run High? Stay low? Ease up to protect the tyres? The only way this could be of any use is when the driver has the chance to actually look at the watch and be able to read it. So maybe under a caution flag you could send a message to run the top?
Would this give you an advantage? Maybe, if your driver is smart enough to remember to look at the watch and has an opportunity to do so. But it is nowhere near as great as the advanSmart watch. tage of running illegal traction control I find it totally ironic that the Sprintcar that seems to be just so hard for the SCCA or SA to find or hear! Control Council of Australia (SCCA) and Speedway Australia (SA) won’t do anything about the cheats that are So, on this subject, what a joke that the SCCA comes out at it’s anrunning illegal traction control devices on their race cars and getting a nual conference and increases the Luckily for Pestka, his only DNF was in the final round after he’d secured the championship crown.
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penalty for running traction control. Hah! What a joke! You could triple or quadruple the fine and it makes no difference because if you don’t go looking for it you’ll never find it. Now my hearing’s not the best after years of loud music and race cars but it’s funny how I can hear and see the cars running traction control yet the SCCA can’t! Simpsons Easter Bunny. Simpson Speedway in rural SouthEast Victoria, about half an hours’ drive from Warrnambool’s famed Premier Speedway, has to be one of the best speedways in the country. With a mix of old wise heads and youthful volunteers this track continues to quietly grow its stature and presence. It hosts Australia’s richest race for 360 Sprintcars as well as an annual round of the Eureka Garages and Sheds “open” Sprintcar series as well as State and National Title events for various classes. It is the home track for the raucous Super Rods and could claim to be the birthplace of the Wingless Sprints via the Open Sportsman class.
annual Easter Trail? The Easter trail has been a fournight affair in the past. It wasn’t always just Avalon, Mt Gambier and Warrnambool. Bendigo, Portland and the Melbourne Speedbowl have also been stops on the circus previously. Imaging the Simpson pits packed with open Sprintcars and the easter campervans and fans filling the spectator parking to the brim. Food for thought. SA v VSC Speedway Australia was given a real kick up the butt recently from the ACCC (Australian competition and consumer commission) in regard to its dealings and more specifically its restraint of tracks that were running VSC (Victorian Speedway Council) classes, more specifically the VSC Sprintcars. In a release dated 11 March the ACCC stated that:
The ACCC investigated reports that Speedway Australia’s affiliated speedway track operators were being restricted in their choice of the speedway racing classes or divisions they could program to race at their tracks, due to an agreement So, the question needs to be asked, between Speedway Australia and the Sprintcar Control Council of Australia given its location and proximity between and to Warrnambool and Gee- (SCCA). long, why isn’t it the fourth leg of the HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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It was alleged that, since 2018, Speedway Australia restricted the VSC Sprintcar class from competing at Speedway Australia affiliated tracks in Victoria, limiting the number of tracks where that class of vehicle could race. This included removing the VSC Sprintcar class from the list of classes covered under its public liability insurance policy and through the terms of the policy, limiting the classes which could race at affiliated tracks throughout the racing season. “The reports we received suggested that Speedway Australia’s agreement with SCCA, and its conduct giving effect to that agreement, limited the options available for tracks to host events with racing divisions and classes of their choosing, which would also reduce the variety of racing that could be offered to spectators,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said. “The ACCC was concerned that these actions may have had the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition.” Speedway Australia has now undertaken not to prohibit its affiliated tracks from hosting racing events that include divisions or classes other than those that are approved by Speedway Australia. They have also undertaken not to remove or restrict access to the rights and benefits of being affiliated with Speedway Australia, such as access to public liabil-
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ity insurance arranged by Speedway Australia, if tracks host races with divisions or classes not approved by Speedway Australia. However, if tracks hold an event that includes races for divisions or classes not approved by Speedway Australia, they will need to secure their own public liability insurance for that event. “Speedway tracks in Victoria will now have greater choice of which classes and divisions of sprintcar they can host,” Mr Sims said. “This enforceable undertaking given by Speedway Australia should enable speedway spectators to watch some forms of sprintcar racing at their local track they weren’t previously able to watch, and to benefit from the variety and innovation in racing offered by competing sprint car organisers.” Speedway Australia has also undertaken to amend the terms of its public liability insurance and inform interested organisations of the amended insurance policy, and to attend training focusing on the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act. Speedway Australia has acknowledged the ACCC’s concerns and has cooperated with the ACCC during its investigation.
While the CT525 engines exceed the 360ci capacity they are limited to only 7,000rpm but are still competitive with a full blown 360 given the right track and track conditions. On the back of this arse kicking, the Highline believes tracks such as affiliated SCCA clubs have voted to Redline Raceway and Simpson allow LS Engines, and 305 and CT Speedway to name a couple have been previously affected by SA’s ac- 525 crate motors to run alongside 360ci engines under the brand Alltions and classes, where classes, if not total meetings, have been aban- Pro Sprintcars. A giant step in the doned or cancelled due to SA’s anti- right direction as proven by the past season where the SRA (VIC) ran competitive behaviour. many shows with huge fields of comThis is a win for both the VSC Sprint- bined 360ci, LS and CT525 Crate engine sprintcars. cars, a class of Sprintcar that at the time fitted within all SCCA rules except for its engine specifications, and Speedway Australia - Tough and Ruthless or just Rough and Toothfor regional tracks that can’t afford less? the cost of bringing SCCA “Open” Sprintcars to town. Recent changes at the national conference have now The Gall of Speedway Australia to call itself Australia’s peak speedway adopted engine rules that align the VSC Sprintcars 100% with the SCCA governing body is incredible. SA is a self-appointed bully that respecs. ally does little to help the sport grow Tracks such as Redline, Rosedale, or to “Govern” the sport as it should Bairnsdale, Nyora and others have be governed with the rights and wellong been supporters of the VSC Sprintcars which look and sound the fare of its supposed constituents, the competitors, officials, crews and same as the SCCA registered cars fans, at heart. and in fact, more recently, have become invited and integrated to race alongside the Sprintcar Racing Asso- You will probably have read before or already know that behind SA is a priciation of Victoria (SRA) 360ci cars. vate company that distributes profits made from “Administering” the sport VSC Sprintcars run a combination through an “Association” back to a of LS motors, i.e. Chevrolet LS1, handful of individuals and wealthy LS2 or LS3 engines as found in the Holden Commodore, or CT525 crate clubs. motors. A copy of the undertaking is available on the public register at: N.A.S.R. Incorporated, trading as Speedway Australia
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SA finds it impossible to obtain any form of Government funding or support, such as that received by the AFL, NRL, Netball or many other sporting bodies because it has private ownership sitting behind it. And on top of all that, when it comes to governing the sport it fails miserably on a severe and dangerous level.
change or improve? Government intervention? Probably, but under what Act or by which government department? Would it be a sporting Act, an occupational health and safety Act, a workplace/workcover Act or some other piece of legislation.
Clearly SA is not going to do anything about it. Rough and Toothless? Not It licences and permits tracks to oper- even rough, just an insipid little toothate that don’t meet its own criteria for less “association” controlled by a privately held organisation that does licensing or permits certain classes what it wants, when it wants, to whoof cars (read level of insurance risk) ever it wants, for the financial benefit to race. of some of its owners, not the association members. But what’s far worse is that it does nothing to pull back rogue operaIf anyone has any (legal) ideas on tors who continue to flout the rules or requirements of the race day per- how to fix the problem, we’d love to hear them. mit because of their individual level of control or power over SA and the R I P. board that supposedly controls and oversees the “association”. As we all get older more and more of our hero’s and champions are sadly What can be done? Nothing apparpassing away leaving a huge hole in ently, because those who sit on the the hearts of many and in the speedboard are too scared to do anything way industry itself. for fear of losing their paid jobs. Recently Sydney sedan legend Brian The problem is not just a perceived conflict of interest between members/ Callaghan passed away as did Mt Gambier’s David Vears and Harvey shareholders of SA, the “associaMurphy amongst others. tion”, racing clubs/divisions, tracks and promoters but an obvious, blaBrian Callaghan. tant and actual and demonstrated exploitation of conflict of interest by some parties. And it seems to be get- Brian Callaghan died on May 19 after a long battle with heart problems. ting worse. Callaghan was born in May 1942 and sadly passed away just days shy of What will it take to make things
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Wilbur, Charlie Swartz, Mike Klien and a host of others. It was probably no surprise then given Brian’s level of performance on the black top that he would then transition to the hallowed grounds of Bathurst’s Mt Panorama circuit in the Group C and then Group A era achieving results that very few other speedway racers have managed in the road racing world. his 80th birthday. He and wife Helen were married for over five decades with five children and many grandchildren.
He made his Bathurst debut in 1981 in a Ford Falcon XD, co-driven by journalist Peter McKay. The following year Brian ran an XE Falcon – the first of the new model to make Brian was a trail blazer in many ways it to the racetrack. He shared the car with his potent Speedway sedans that year with Bob Muir. probably best remembered for their performances on the paved and leg- The next two years he was joined by endary Liverpool Raceway. former speedway rival Barry Graham His Galvanising Services silver suin the Falcon. From 1985 onwards percharged Holden Torana XU-1 the pair raced in Holden Commomade him a speedway star with gidores after the change from Group C ant killing performances, particularly to Group A regulations. against touring Americans and their big block V8 Chevs. Their best result was a sixth in 1988. Among his many career highlights were victories in the 1975 and ’76 sedan 100-lap Marlboro Grand Nationals.
Brian’s last Bathurst start came in the 1991 where he shared the Everlast Commodore with son Brian Jnr and Bill O’Brien.
He was virtually unbeatable on the blacktop of Liverpool Speedway, against the likes of Paul Ash, Peter Crick, Rick Hunter, Barry Graham and USA stars Gene Welch, Ed
He was a legend in his speedway career and a Bathurst battler in the Group C and Group A era.
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David Vears. While the career of Mt Gambiers’ Davdi Vears never hit the heights of Callaghan, he was a much loved and respected businessman, father, Sprintcar racer, gentleman and club stalwart known widely and loved by many. David died recently after an 11-year battle with cancer. David was a close mate to fellow Mt Gambier legend and racer Bill Barrows and will be remembered for his pristine SA18 Vears Taxi’s Sprintcars as the pair spent many days on the road in tandem. David raced in the first Classic in 1973 and for most of the 1970’s and into the 1980’s. He and Bill Barrows would make the trip across the border from Mount Gambier and were fan favourites. He was also a fierce competitor of our great sport despite his physical handicap.
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David signed off his lap around this world with a final lap around the Borderline Speedway at noon on July 2nd, a track where he cut many competitive laps and many, many hours of his life as a valued volunteer. He will be sadly missed. Harvey Murphy. The most recent sad news was the passing of Harvey Murphy, former racer and proud father of American based Peter Murphy. When his own career had finished and Pete’s was blossoming, you could often find the Harvey and wife Anne quietly chasing races to watch their beloved son proudly on both the Australian and North American continents. When Pete moved state-side, the pair eagerly packed up to follow their
son’s dreams, and to also be closer to the grandchildren, but the need for a hip replacement saw them return home in recent years. Adelaide speedway legend Mark Gilbert also recently passed away thanks to the dreaded scourge of cancer. Mark could lay claims to the title “Mr Speedway” but it would not sit comfortably with him personally. He was more than just a fearless competitor across Solos, Speedcars and Sprintcars but was also a successful promoter, businessman and sponsor.
Obviously, Marks passion for the sport ran way deeper than most and it wasn’t about taking money from the sport but more about taking a risk to put on a show which helped promote our sport and then to keep reaching into his own pocket to help others with his financial support including most recently Ben Morris in the Sprintcar. He was the long-time promoter of the Wayville Showground and also a part time Monster Truck performer at his annual Monster Truck Slam held in conjunction with Sydney Speedway co-promoter Scott Anderson. Mark gave it his all to present the very best events possible which over the decades has created many everlasting memories for race fans young and old. Highline magazine extends its deepest condolences to all family and friends of the Callaghan, Vears, Murphy and Gilbert families and to the families and friends of any other recently departed members of our big speedway family.
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Highline Magazine and Full Throttle Publishing were once again appalled that Australia’s finest and longest serving Media and PR representative, Dennis Newlyn, was again overlooked and not considered worthy of induction into the Speedway Australia Hall of Fame at the recent awards night held in Melbourne. This is not the first time that we’ve collectively been angry and bemused with the decision(s) of the selection panel and we felt it was high time we needed to take charge and recognise those fitting indi-
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viduals who thoroughly deserve it - ourselves! Both publishing houses have had a long association with Dennis and in our opinion he’s one of the unsung heroes that continuously and actively promotes and distributes information about the sport of speedway to the highest standard and has done so across all mediums for over five decades. Over the summer, Dennis is the only speedway journalist to be able to get
column space in Australia’s biggest selling daily newspaper, the Sydney Daily Telegraph, where he gives the sport a shot in the arm with positive, informative, and factual detail and opinion. This has been built on the back of a many years long, no decades long relationship of supplying great copy to the paper. He’s been the face of speedway with numerous television roles, done countless radio & television interviews, been an on-track commentator around the world, produced and continues to produce web based and print publications and has probably written more press releases than the
rest of the speedway media combined promoting the sport he loves. We could think of no better recipient for the first Highline Magazine-Full throttle Publishing Hall of Fame Inductee than Dennis Newlyn. Highline Magazine and Full throttle Publishing, on behalf of the greater speedway industry thank you Dennis from the bottom of our hearts as you continue to show us the way forward with passion, dedication and singular resolve, class and determination. Congratulations Dennis Newlyn.
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Freshman Speedway photographer Aiden Freeman captured what we think is t tagged the wall in turn 1 and went upside down with a fire erupting as a conseq neken quickly stopped to help Ando out of the burning wreck as a drivers’ wors ly highlights one of the aspects we love about this sport, that when it matters al 16
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the photo of the year at Warrnambool. When Grant “the Gun” Anderson quence of the contact, rivals Luke Dillon, Darren Mollenoyux and Tim Van Ginst fear in a racing accident is fire. The actions of these on track rivals absolutell rivalry is put aside for the benefit of each other. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Maroubra Speedway THE SHAPE OF THINGS PAST
Article by Grant Woodhams
Photo’s courtesy of Bill Boldiston, Boldor Publishing 18
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he recent opening of Eastern Creek Speedway following the closure of Parramatta Speedway (PCR) is a happy outcome for Sydney’s speedway fans. History will record the closure of many great Sydney venues over the years such as the Showgrounds, the Sports Ground, Cumberland Oval, Penrith, Bankstown, Westmead, Windsor and Liverpool. But one speedway that was closed in Sydney which was a true giant of the sport back in the mid 1920’s and 1930’s barely rates a mention - Maroubra Speedway Several years ago I bought a copy of ‘A Maroubra Speedway Scrapbook’ written and compiled by William Boldiston. The last meeting was held at Maroubra in 1934, when the author was a mere five years old. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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The reality is that the vast majority of those who attended that last meeting at Maroubra on Saturday afternoon 24th November 1934 are no longer with us. Even author Bill Boldiston didn’t get to see racing there. His first sighting of the track was in the 1940’s when he rode his pushbike to what remained of one of the most futuristic stadiums ever built in Australia.
though, that would be an injustice. It is a magnificent collection of stories and photographs about a time in our sport that most of us never experienced. It captures a totally different and almost unbelievable era. In reading it though there are many names that have stood the test of time that leap from the pages.
Among those who spent time on the MaI would humbly suggest that there would roubra highbanks were the great Phil be very few people living in Maroubra Garlick, perhaps the first genuine Australthese days who have any idea that a ian speedway four wheel superstar, the speedway once existed in their suburb, let legendary Lionel Van Praag who was Ausalone be able to tell you where it used to tralia’s first Solo Motorbike world champion be. In fact, I’d go further than that because and the amazing Byron Gunther who took I doubt that outside of Bill Boldiston and a some of the best speedway photographs few survivors of his generation that anyone that you are ever likely to see. in Sydney would know where it used to be! In the language of the local Aboriginal peoI’m not going to summarise Bill’s book ple of the area the word Maroubra means
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‘the sound of thunder’, which sounds massively appropriate for the magnificent arena and fantastic competitors who raced there. Inspired in part by the great Brooklands track in the UK and the equally fabulous Indianapolis ‘brickyard’ in the United States a group of Australian businessmen put the money together to build The Motor Olympia Speedway at Maroubra. Plans were approved by the local council in
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1923 and it was built among sand dunes and low lying swampy land bounded by Long Bay Road, Anzac Parade and Fitzgerald Avenue. The first meeting in front of a reported 67,000 people was on the 5th of December 1925. The track was effectively a concrete saucer and although not perfectly circular it was close to a mile in length. Running anti clockwise, speeds of up to 120 miles per hour were said to be possible. Don’t forget this is 1925! The track even had a massive scoreboard to keep spectators informed. Its public facilities would put many modern day tracks to shame. The first meeting featuring both cars and bikes was described as a massive success. However three weeks later the track was in the news for all the wrong reasons when Leo Salmon and Albert Vaughan racing their Jewett Special exited the track at high speed pitching over the banking and were killed. More deaths followed rapidly. However, it was the death of the immensely popular Phil Garlick that signalled the end of regular meetings at the track. Garlick who
was nigh unbeatable at Maroubra was the lap record holder at 103 mph but on the evening of the 5th of January 1927 while passing his major opponent Hope Bartlett, Garlick’s Alvis racecar tore off the top of the track and struck a newly erected light tower. Garlick was killed instantly. The track would stutter on for a few more years. Interestingly enough the opening of the Sydney Showgrounds speedway pulled the regular Maroubra crowds away to watch racing on the dirt in the closer confines of the Royale and so finally in 1934 the track held its last official races although cars and bikes could still be found using the venue in 1936. Maroubra Speedway would sit there, gradually deteriorating for the next ten years. Bits and pieces slowly being removed until finally in the early 1950’s the New South Wales government decided to use the land for a Housing Commission Development. Much of the track was buried in the sand that sits underneath the houses in the Coral Sea Battle Development. A commemorative plaque can be found recording the location of the track on Midway Drive next to Coral Sea Park which is part of the infield of what was Maroubra Speedway. With the closure of Parramatta Speedway, I’d be surprised if a book recording the history of that venue isn’t on the cards. Like Boldiston’s Maroubra book it will make for fascinating reading. I wonder for speedway followers in one hundred years time will it be equally as unbelievable as Maroubra was?
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Marcus Dumesny is the 2022 Titan Garages and Sheds SCCA Australian Sprintcar Champion. It had been 20 years since his famous father Max won his final Aussie title at Parramatta and now the 22 year old second generation racer has his first. 24
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Photos by Racing Fix Photography........
In a dramatic 40-lap A-Main where some of the biggest names in the game traded some spectacular passes and passing attempts Dumesny emerged triumphant in the #47 Valvoline Maxim at a packed Archerfield Speedway. Despite rain earlier in the day that persisted into later afternoon the sunHIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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shine came out and so did the fans to fill the Colebard St clayway for “That red light wasn’t ideal at all,” one of the most memorable Austral- Dumesny later smiled, “because ian titles in recent memory. I had about five minutes to think about it. That wasn’t a dream reDumesny started the title from posi- sult. I thought about those three
tion ten and steadily worked his way through towards the lead as title favourites in front of him went to war with some monumental slide jobs and bold passing attempts.
laps about twenty thousand times. I knew I just had to stay cool.”
His moves from the fifth row of the grid were methodical and measured. “I started picking them off one He passed pole-sitter and leader by one and then we all got strung Lockie McHugh with three laps reout for about fifteen or so laps, we maining using a deft slide job in turn all had a steady pace and I thought two but the red lights came on one surely this isn’t the way it’s going lap later after McHugh flipped heav- to end. I know that Jock and Vealy ily in the heat of battle with defend- started to catch Locky and they ing champion Jamie Veal and Tasthrew some bombs and I thought sie livewire Jock Goodyer began to oooh there’s something happenclose. ing here. I don’t know what hap26
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pened but there was a little bit of a gap there and I took it. Next thing you know I’m in second. Locky was a straightaway in front so I just chomped at that, next thing I’m like I’m going for it. I backed it in, made it stick. I still can’t believe it.” Lockie McHugh was certainly the car to beat all weekend.
The ECP Racing Leigh-Smith Yachts #7 Cool led for almost the entire race before Dumesny’s pass on lap thirty-seven. Veal and Goodyer tried several times to relieve him of the lead spot as the front runners ran inches from the wall on the cushion at both ends of the track. His eventual flip was a jarring wreck and a disappointing end to what had been a businesslike title assault.
The Gold Coast throttle stomper had won both his heats the night before and set quick time in his group, plus finished fourth in the A- McHugh was not the only casualty Main to give him high points coming on that lap. into Night Two. Aaron Kelly tagged the turn four Placing fifth in his final heat for the cushion which subsequently turned weekend he began the Champion- the #Q7 hard into the turn four wall ship final from pole alongside despinning and landing on his side fending champion Jamie Veal. before the hapless Brock Hallett slammed into him flipping Kelly hard
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Jesse Attard - Old school style. Racing Fix Photography 28
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on to the infield.
a lap.
Hallett would restart and finish ninth as the last car running – his result not a true reflection of his potential and speed in the GW Racing #13.
Luke Oldfield was fast on Night One winning the preliminary A-Main and coming into the points on Night Two in second place behind McHugh.
Veal ran second for much of the race before being slid by Jock Goodyer but later in the race making his play for the #1 spot as the SWI Engineering entry came on fast.
The weekend turned sour in his final heat race however when he rode the right wheel of Nick Whell and flipped the Q17. He returned to start the A-Main from position seven but tagged the wall near the pit gate and damaged his right rear tyre around half race distance and it began deflating rapidly during a red light stoppage when Matt Egel and Robbie Farr came together down the back straight on lap twenty four.
Matt Dumesny was dead set unlucky. In the mix all weekend the driver of the Valvoline #57 had the right rear wheel hub shatter and send him into the wall at the same time as McHugh flipped ending what had been a speedy weekend that promised plenty. Jock Goodyer was a hot title prospect all weekend - the decision by the team to base themselves out of Brisbane for the last two years reaping rewards in terms of Goodyer’s growing speed and fan base. He tried a big move on McHugh in turn four and all but flipped the T22 as he wheelstood perilously close to the wall which bound up he and Veal and allowed McHugh to open up a handy gap. It also allowed Marcus Dumesny to get a run on Veal and Goodyer and move up to second in less than half 30
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It was the second time for the weekend that the pair got tangled up in an incident on the back straight. They had both advanced from the B-Main to be battling for a top ten result in the A-Main before their incident near the pit gate out of turn two. Oldfield limped to the infield in a disappointing end to a weekend that had promised so much. Jordyn Brazier spun on lap thirteen and Nicholas Whell joined the party to bring on the cautions. The first stoppage of the main came on lap three when Taylor Prosser and Dave Fanning made contact and Fanning spun shortly after in turn four.
Ian Madsen flew under the radar for entire weekend in the DTM Motorsport #4 and was in top five territory throughout – his eventual fourth place finish was consistent but not what the hard charging Sydneysider wanted before his return to the USA to drive the Guy Forbrook entry. Tate Frost certainly made an impact on his Archerfield debut finishing fifth and throwing some monster
with the ultra-consistent Daniel Pestka home in seventh as the best placed South Aussie. Steven Lines will have to wait another year for a shot at title glory with a disappointing DNF in the immaculate Horrell Motorsport #83 but retiring with a broken shock tower on lap thirteen.
sliders late in the big dance after starting a credible ninth. Tasmanian Jamie Bricknell pulled off a last lap transfer to snag an A-Main start on the final lap of the B and then made an admirable run to sixth in the Championship final in the T55. Nicholas Whell was the first and only Queenslander home in eighth HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Final results Titan Garages and Sheds 2022 SCCA Australian Sprintcar Championship A-Main: 1. Marcus Dumesny 2. Jamie Veal 3. Jock Goodyer 4. Ian Madsen 5. Tate Frost 6. Jamie Bricknell 7. Daniel Pestka 8. Nicholas Whell 9. Brock Hallett
C-Main results: 1. Chris McInerney 2. Brenton Farrer 3. Will Carroll 4. Mitch Gowland 5. Libby Ellis 6. Jason King 7. James Matthews
B-Main results: 1. Robbie Farr 2. Matt Egel 3. Taylor Prosser 4. Jamie Bricknell 5. Luke Stirton
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6. Randy Morgan 7. Peter Doukas 8. Richard Morgan 9. Bryan Mann 10. Brenton Farrer 11. Darren Jensen 12. Tim Farrell
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V8 WINGLESS ARE COMING...............
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ack in 2011 Veteran Racer Wayne Milburn came up with a plan to create a V8 Powered Self-starting Wingless Sprintcar to be run under an Association called Australian Self-starting
The VSC Approval legitimises the class and means that the cars are now approved to run at VSC tracks or tracks that run VSC classes.
Sprintcar Assocation or ASSA for short.
Traditional “Wingless” Sprintcars are arguably the most exciting form of our great sport of speedway with their bellowing V8’s and their old school “back ‘em in” style. The onus comes back to the driver not so much the engine.
Now some eleven years later it seems Milburn is about to unleash his category thanks to the approval last week (Mid July) to sanction these cars under the VSC or Victorian Speedway Council banThe V6 powered Australian Wingless ner. Sprints have taken off on a scale exceed-
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ing everyone’s expectations for one very simply reason – cost. The one down side to the AWS cars however was the noise – they didn’t have that raucous V8 sound that most Aussies love to hear. With that in mind Milburn toyed with the idea of how best to develop a cost effective, low budget, self-starting,
sis and run them on methanol for about three thousand dollars, I believe you can build a car for about $15,000 which is about the same price as a V6.” Obviously that price may have to be adjusted however the concept remains valid. “The whole idea with the GenIII engine is that it stops someone with a bunch of
money coming in and spending a lot of V8, wingless sprintcar and hit upon the idea of installing the 5.7 litre Holden alloy money to have the best engine in the class and the biggest advantage as hapV8 engine into a sprintcar chassis. pens now in VSC, 360 or open Sprintcars,” Milburn continued. “And the other In 2011 Milburn stated, “These GenIII thing that the tracks like about them is Holden engines can be purchased secthat you don’t need push vehicles and ond hand for as little as $500 from just the loss of time that it takes to fire up about any wrecker or on ebay, With an winged sprintcars.” adaptor kit that contains everything you need to install one in a sprintcar chasHIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Milburn shook down his prototype at Rolling Thunder Raceway back in 2011 with an engine that had over 100,000kms on it before it was installed into his sprintcar. “The car performed faultlessly and I was pleasantly surprised with its performance and how well it went,” Explained Milburn at the time. “Without a wing it had enough kick to get loose and spin the wheels and was really responsive, and best of all it sounded right.” Former Allstar Sprintcars Series Champion Paul Solomon and even this author also tested the car and found it a great mix of speed, performance, balance and fun – especially if you like to back it in. The car ran perfectly with various other invited and experienced “winged” sprintcar racers all suitably impressed with its speed and ability.
“I’ve been around this sport a long time and more recently I’ve been to tracks watching and observing where they have been running classes that only have 3, 4 or 5 cars in the field, so if I can guarantee to arrive with six or more cars in one hit, I don’t see any reason they shouldn’t take a chance and give us a run,” Milburn said. “I tried to do this on my own but it is a difficult task to get all the legalities and insurance side sorted out but now with the VSC accepting us we can finally start to move forward and get cars racing.” Explained Milburn. “I know it all comes down to being able to deliver a guaranteed number of cars, especially in our formative stages until we grow and prove ourselves as being a popular, crowd-pleasing class and I am focused on doing everything I can to make it happen,” Milburn concluded.
One of the more spectacular things about Wingless Sprintcars in the USA in Wayne Milburn can be contacted on 0427 350 482. particular is that with the V8 engine and open wheels they are very easy to flip over, especially after making wheel to wheel contact. Milburn plans to hopefully reduce this issue by the use of bigger, squarer side nerf-bars that will reduce the chances of wheels getting interlocked and drivers going off on a wild ride. One other aspect of Milburn’s concept is that drivers can simply hire the drive on a race-by-race basis or have Milburn maintain and transport their cars to the venue en-masse with his muli-level transporter.
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Egel Wins 3
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delaide’s Matt Egel felt right at home at Murray Bridge Speedway defeating a host of previous National, State and All-Star Series Champions to take his first national crown in the 360ci Australian Championship. Egel kicked things off well as he dominated the preliminary A-Main, that doubled as the Ross Wright 40
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Memorial after setting the quickest time in his heat group during qualifying, he then finished first and second in his heat races before leading all 25 laps in the final. Second place went to four-time Australian 360ci Champion Ryan Jones, who was making his first appearance in a 360ci car for three years, while Albury’s Grant Ander-
60ci Cr Crown
son rounded out the podium in the Brad Foster owned #V11. After starting from position 11 Hayden Pitt charged his way to fourth in what was a great performance with Charles Hunter rounding out the top five. Brendan Guerin had a competitive evening as he recorded a solid sixth place result while Daniel Pestka fought back to finish seventh after spinning in turn four after trying to avoid con-
tact with Steven Caruso, who had come to a halt after an incident with Guerin. At the time Pestka was running second behind Egel but the incident between Caruso and Guerin occurred just as the leading pair were approaching the back of the field. Inaugural Australian 360ci Champion Stephen Bell had a strong night as he finished eighth in the Matt Eastham #88 while Chris SoloHIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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mon and Chris Campbell rounded Campbell also transferred in to the out the top 10. Lisa Walker, Steven main. Caruso and Paul Solomon were the last of the finishers. When it mattered most - on Championship night - Egel dominated the Lap two saw the defending Austral- feature event to become an Australian Champion Brett Milburn exit the ian Sprintcar Champion and in the event after Steven Caruso made process putting the disappointment contact with the back of the #1 and of losing the 2014 Championship as a result, he spun down the front behind him. He led from start to straight and was collected by Mark finish in the 40-lap decider at the Caruso, with Mark Caruso rolling Murray Machining and Sheds Murover. The damage to both cars saw ray Bridge Speedway after starting them finish the night on the infield. from the pole. Current Victorian Champion Brenten Farrer had a tough night, but he bounced back to win the B-Main while Paul Solomon, Tod Moule and
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“It was a nerve wracking 40 laps. The lapped traffic was making me nervous, and I saw Ryan show his nose twice there during the race,
but we got the job done and I am absolutely stocked” commented the new Australian Champion following the race. “This result really makes up for the race I lost with Tony (Bartlett) about eight years ago, but it would be great to have two, it almost haunted me, we were so close, and we dominated that week but now we have got one under our belt. We are in the history book now. It’s just a great thing for your career to be pencilled in as an Australian Sprintcar Champion. We will be on the T-Shirt, it’s awesome. I can’t thank the Brown Family and my guys enough. This has been the best year of my career” he added.
For second placed and four-time Champion Ryan Jones, it was the first time he had been on the podium for the Australian 360ci Title without winning the Championship. “We were second last night, second again tonight and as the racetrack played out, we had to be at the top at both ends and we only had to move around in traffic. The stoppages just came at the wrong time as Matt was a bit of a sitting duck being the first through traffic and I was able to get a run at him while the traffic was around, but the cautions helped him out. Then that final red really came at the right time for him and cleared the way” commented Ryan. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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“But credit to those guys, we had a second placed race car both nights, and it showed”.
but it was difficult to make any slider attempts or passing moves in the clean air but when we got to traffic it became very interesting. But Just as he had the previous night running third we shouldn’t be disapAlbury’s Grant Anderson followed pointed, it’s a great result for this Egel and Jones across the line to team. We haven’t been together too record his first ever podium result in long, we don’t race 360’s very often, the Australian 360ci Championship. we don’t come here very often so we should be very proud of third in “Overall, the weekend was very an Aussie Title” commented Grant. successful for us and this team. I just would have loved to have Fourth place went the way of an stayed in the traffic a little longer in extremely impressive Guerin, who that 40 lap A-Main. Obviously, the ten years earlier finished third in the clean air was important. Egel and race at the same venue. Victorian Jones are really good around here, Chris Solomon, out-going Australwe were keeping pace with them, ian Champion Milburn, Todd Moule,
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Ben Morris, Lisa Walker and Tim Van Ginneken, who gained a start in the final as the first reserve, completed the top ten. Van Ginneken took the position as the 20th stater after local favourite Pestka failed to fire after a fuel leak was discovered just prior to pushing off.
ending the final on the infield.
The final was littered with hard luck stories including South Australian Champion Pitt, who was running fourth early in the race, only to have the driveline fail while Farrer crashed out in turn four while running fifth with nine laps to go. Steven Caruso, Hunter, Campbell, Hobson and Jordyn Charge also
The opening heat of the night was marred by an accident involving Simpson racer Phil Lock and Mark Caruso with the race being declared early. Farrer was given the win. After a delay in the program, the final heats were conducted with youngsters Ben Morris, Moule and Hobson each taking a win.
Following a massive open lap pile up that took out six cars in turn two Hobson transferred to the A-Main with Campbell, Ely and Charge while Van Ginneken and Jamie Hendry were the two reserves.
JOHN SHORE
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Being a fellow Murray Bridgian (is that even a word) makes Lisa Walker a phot racer gives her buddy two thumbs up prior to the 360 Sprint Title. Picko’s Photo 46
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Current Victorian 360 Champion Brenten Farrer has been in stellar form this se speedway but was plumb out of luck at the National Title. Picko’s Photo’s 48
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eason and dominated the Victorian Championship at the difficult Simpson
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It’s not easy for us older, larger photographers to get down low for stunning sho but Picko will do whatever it takes to get the shot he’s after. Picko’s Photo’s 50
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ots like this one of the strong Grant Anderson/Brad Foster Racing combination
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Always looking for that different shot Picko has used a remote flash to great eff 52
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Another nice low down shot from the 360 Title, this time of Caruso’s #10. Picko 54
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And finally - that long awaited National Crown for Matt Egel. Picko’s Photo’s 56
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Words: Paris Charles Images Terry Scriven 58
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t the age of just 12 years old New South Welshman Beau Bailey wrote his name into the record books to claim the 2022 CBS Bins / AMX Super Stores Australian U/16 2022 Australian 125cc Speedway Title at the Sidewinders Wingfield Speedway in South Australia over the April 2nd and 3rd weekend. Bailey went into the final as the top qualifier after racking up a consistent four wins and a second placing from his five qualifying heats while West Australian Mitchell McDiarmid and South Aussie Ashley
Jensen-Batchelor would also qualify directly into the championship decider. The final finalist was Harry Sadler who qualified after leading the sudden death semi-final from tape to flag over Noah Graham, Kobi Canning and Jordy Loftus. After four lightning fast last laps Baily crossed the line, stopping the clocks with a 41.28 and adding the Australian Championship to his already impressive CV that carries the Victorian and Queensland
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Championships in addition to SA#2. McDiarmid, Jensen-Batchelor and Sadler would round out the podium. The following day the top seven teams competed for the Australian Teams Championship. The West Australian duo in Mitchell McDiarmid and Linkin Metcalfe who travelled the furthest to participate found the fastest way to the finish line to claim the Australian Teams Championship with a solid banking of 25 points over runner ups Ashley Jensen-Batchelor and Harry Sadler (SA) a solitary point behind,
third with 22 points was Noah Graham and Beau Bailey (NSW) and Cooper Antone and Lachlan Russell (NSW) placing fourth with 18 points to claim the final step on the podium. With 16 points was the Loftus family pairing of Jordy and Anika from Queensland in fifth, locals Kobi Canning and Darcey Timms were next with 11 while the Victorian team of Ambrose Fraser and Sonny Spurgin rounded out the table with 10 points.
PRICE WINS AMCA AUSTRALIAN TITLE Queensland’s Steven Price survived a wall of death experience at Mildura’s Timmis Speedway to become the newest AMCA Nationals Australian Champion. Price used a hot run winning four heats and an eighth to earn the pole position from where he was hounded for the entire 40 lap journey by Victorian Dean Heseltine. Defending National and Victorian Champion Matt Hardy drove an incredible race punishing his machine as he drove from the rear of the field to claim the final podium position. Hardy was still making forward progress but the laps ran out before he ran out of steam. Steve Potts Q32 and Bruce Marshall Q27 completed the top five positions. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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The forty-first national title for Compact Speedcars has been run and won at Wangaratta City Raceway with Victorian Justin Paull leading the local charge to take his second national title victory this time in the ‘Associated Powder Coating’ supported event.
Defending champion Mark Heaton won the second heat leading every lap and finished just .218 in front of Paull and Kyle Sharpe. Tania Hallett led every lap in the third qualifier to win from Richard Treanor and Shaun Robinson.
The very supportive Wangaratta Speedway Club had prepared a terrific racetrack for the night with some very fast laps set down. In Hot laps Matt O’Neill from Queensland put everybody on notice with a 15.977
Paull took until lap nine to secure the lead in heat four before he was able to win from Louis Rodriguez, and Matt Papa. Along the way Paull set fast time of the night at 15.826 for one lap.
circuit of a track he had never seen prior to race night. In the first round of heats the results went as follows. O’Neill starting from sixth took the lead on the last lap of the first qualifier to win from Harris Stewart and Andrew Wiles the pole sitter. The top three separated by less than a second at the finish line.
Michael Conway then led all the way in the fifth qualifier to win from Chris Curren and Harris Stewart by almost five seconds.
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O’Neill won his second qualifier taking the race lead much earlier than in the first race. O’Neill defeated Mark Cecil and Heaton.
Into the final round and Rodriguez took a win in front of Andrew Parkes and Stewart. O’Neill finished outside the top four and almost four seconds behind the winner.
At lap twelve Conway was back in seventeenth and out of contention unless some miracles came his way and Paull still led O’Neill and Heaton.
Paull took a second win in the eighth heat of the night as attrition started to take its toll on the field. Paull stormed to the lead to win from Curren and Andrew Wiles.
On lap fourteen Brown was the first car to exit the race due to damage, incident or breakdown and it sparked a succession of others also. Andrew Wiles, Parkes, Cooper and Wark being some of them. At lap twenty, Paull was still at the front of the field with O’Neill, Heaton, Stewart, and Robinson now in fifth spot.
Finally rounding out all the qualifying, Hallett won a second heat race also to match O’Neill and her brother Justin Paull. Hallett beat Alan Day by just .442 of a second with Heaton in third spot. Lining up for the thirty lap ‘Associated Powder Coating’ Compact Speedcar National championship in order were Paull, O’Neill. Hallett, Rodriguez, Heaton, Stewart, Curren, Andrew Wiles, Cecil, Parkes, Papa, Shaun Robinson, Conway, Glen Wiles, Alan Day, Aaron Stubbs, Gavin Cooper, Mark Hutchinson, Daniel Brown, Matt Wark, Richard Treanor, Cheyne Williams and Joe Lostitch.
On lap twenty-one things went all pear shaped for Heaton as a race incident and damage claimed him, Stewart and Curren at this point of the race. With third and fourth gone, this shot Robinson up into third spot. As the laps counted off Paull continued to hold a margin over O’Neill not letting off the gas knowing he was close.
The flag was a welcome sight as Paull greeted the chequered first from O’Neill, Robinson, Rodriguez, and Cecil. Also finishing outside the top five was Lostitch, Hallett, Papa, Glen Wiles, Conway, and When the flagman dropped the green Paull raced out to secure the lap one lead Day all on the lead lap, then Hutchinson with his sister getting a great start crossing and Williams. the line behind him in second with O’Neill After the race Justin Paull spoke to about back in third. O’Neill got his spot back on lap two with thirteenth spot starter Conway his win. “It such an honour to be able to already up into eighth on lap two and Rob- win the Australian title again and also carry the #1 for the next twelve months. inson also progressing forward with him. We had a pretty much flawless night, and it was cool to win it in front of some of my Seven laps into the race Paull was leadclose mates and family. Congratulations to ing O’Neill, Heaton, Hallett, and Stewart the other placegetters. as the top five whilst Robinson was now seventh. One from Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales in the top three is great for the class. Well done to all those in the Victorian club who put in time and effort to make this event a success.” Shared Paull HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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There were a couple of highlights that came out of this years’ annual (Southern) Sprintcar Easter Trail and that was the unseasonably warm weather (day-time at least) and the performance of Troy Little and the Steve Lynch N20 team. The little, Little-Lynch team punched way above their weight leading laps on merit of every feature race run only being beaten each night by the horsepower and money of the SWI team of Jamie Veal. Veal had to work extremely hard to win both races especially when you consider that Veal has raced throughout the covid lockdowns while Little hadn’t raced for a couple of years. “I may still have a good race in me yet.” Little said prior to the opening round at
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Avalon and he wasn’t far off the mark. Another team that had a strong showing was the Heyen Family Racing team with driver Jamie driving like he never had before, fast, smooth and consistent, making each feature event. I asked dad Garry, what had led to the improved performance and he said he threatened to sell the team off if Jamie didn’t pull his finger out. Sadly, and painfully for Jamie, as he was getting into the car for the feature at Mt Gambier he dislocated his patella (Knee cap) and required the services of the paramedics which lead to a delay while another ambulance was sought to do the transfer to hospital.
result as they cheered on the underdogs – Little, Daly & Co – as they gave everything to repel the teams with the better engines, cars and equipment. The Avalon crowd was huge and the Crowd at Mt Gambier was good also. Unfortunately, some things always remain the same and the fickle weather killed David Mills’ last race as General One factor that contributed to Little’s strong Manager of Premier Speedway early after showing was the revised format. This east5 support class races and the fireworks at er, time trial groups were not determined least gave the crowd something for their based on driver seedings. They were sortmoney. ed by a random draw. As commentary ringmaster Gavin White enthused “It allows the Little’s and the (Bobby) Daly’s, Heyens’ and (Andy) Hughes’ to have a chance at a good qualifying time and heat results leading to good feature positions and I love it.”
Technically, Little should be hailed the overall winner as the team was still in the pits and unloaded ready to race when the call was made to cancel the remaining events while Veal and others had already packed up and some had even left the venue.
It also meant that some time trial and heat groups may have been a little more stacked with heavy hitters than other heats, but so what? If they’re good enough they should still be able to race their way into the main event. Remember the days when the fastest came from the rear? The crowd were treated to mixed up line-ups compared to usual and some great racing as a HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Grant Anderson at speed – Geoff Gracie Photo. 70
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Domain Ramsey was doing double duty in both his Sprintcar and Late Model S save rubber on the Sprintcar at least. – Geoff Gracie Photo. 72
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Being Aust1 in 360 doesn’t count in open competition but Matt Egel is quick in 74
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either form regardless of the number. – Geoff Gracie Photo. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Fiona Verhoeven had a good night in the Late Models at Mt Gambier. – Geoff G 76
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Mildura racer Carter Metcalfe is the new national champion in Junior Sedans up to 1500cc overcoming almost eighty other race drivers from across Australia at Alexandra and District Speedway Club. Metcalfe defeated Kayne Dellar from Western Australia, Aidan Rigby and Jayden Hancock from 78
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Queensland and Beau Oldfield of Western Australia across twentyfive terrific laps. Metcalfe led every single lap whilst Dellar was briefly passed by Tranter close to the race end before snatching his second spot back finishing more than three seconds behind the race winner.
Rigby set a new eight lap record for the class earlier in the weekend but was unable to convert his speed into the big win.
Spitzbarth (NT), Nathan Miles, Lachlan Robins (TAS), Brodie Hollyman (QLD), River Paterson. Harry Fowler (QLD), Jack Randall and Cameron Smith also scored heat Heat wins across the weekend went wins as did Billy Macdonald (QLD), to Beau Oldfield, Jayden Bryant, Will Shore of Mildura. Metcalfe, Dellar, Donny Davis (WA), Rigby in his record race time of 2 minutes 57.732 seconds and River HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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The familiar blue Maiolo #77 looks a little different in this shot with the inside to 80
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Jason Kendrick signs a young fans shirt in the Kwinana pits. – Josh Cochrane 82
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Dual Aussie Champ and WA legend Ron Krikke poses with his Bunbury Expres Kingshott shares the moment. – Josh Cochrane Photo. 84
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ss ride while the current driver of the Krikke Bunbury Toyota machine Dayne
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Ace lensman Josh Cochrane caught Taylor Milling in a spot of bother at the sup 86
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A nice view of early Motorplex engine starts with both Sprintcars and Speeedca 88
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A nice angle of Dan Golding in the W71 Speedcar. Note the left arm in the cock 90
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A familiar and still awesome sight – the John Day pace ute and a huge field of 92
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Matt Goodlad (18) and third generation racer Brent Vosbergen (4) display differ top. – Josh Cochrane Photo. 94
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rent philosophies of the quickest way around. One on the bottom one on the
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State Champion and multiple race winner Jason Kendrick at speed. – Josh Coc 96
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James Ingliss abandoned the family’s #80 for the coveted Diamond Bay W26 in 98
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Kris Coyle had no idea of the drama that would lead to him winning the Krikke lead from Daniel Harding coming off turn 4 on the last lap when Daniel blew a r the win let alone finish the race as many others ran out of rubber. – Josh Cochr 100
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Boys Classic on the last lap later in the evening at Bunbury. Coyle took the right rear tyre. Coyle himself had no tread left (insert) and was lucky to grab rane Photo. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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David Priolo paid a fitting tribute to WA legend Alf Barbagello in the Mr Sprintcar 7
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The always popular “Red Hot Ronnie” Veronica McCann sits pitside awaiting e 104
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A big thumbs up for West Australian Late Model racing. – Josh Cochrane Photo 106
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Shane Cartwright was the big winner in the North South 50 for AMCA Nationals Easter weekend. Shayne T Wright photo. 108
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s At Dave Roberts’ Heartland Raceway taking both nights features over the
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Wingles action Qld style - Dave Sansby upside down, David Lindeay into the w 110
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wall, with Corey O’toole (7) and Daryl Marshall (83) in the mix. Racing Fix. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Kevin Stow has a little fire a-glow in his AMCA. Racing Fix Photo. 112
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Mark Robinson in the N9 V8 Dirt Modified would go on to take another National cr
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Queensland’s Libby Ellis in the NQ73 around Archerfield. Racing Fix Photo. 116
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Some Sprintcar action from the big track at Morris Park Dubbo featuring Peter 118
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O’Neill (83) dicing hard with young Zac Pachiarotta (42). – Lone Wolf Pic. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Whether it’s the tiny Go-Kart track on the Avalon infield or the big track in Dubbo occasions. – Lone Wolf Pic. 120
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o in a Sprintcar makes no difference to Luke Geering – fast and smooth on all
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Another nice Dubbo action shot this time of Daniel Cassidy in the neat black an 122
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nd gold NS15. – Lone Wolf Pic. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Stuart Bennett pushed his neat Hyundai to the Dubbo Junior Sedan win. – Lone 124
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Veteran and local Mark Blyton clearly likes the bigger tracks as he celebrates h in the winged Sprintcars on the other big track at Bacchus Marsh? – Lone Wolf 126
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here after a win in the Wingless Sprint at Morris Park. Who remembers his win f Pic. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Holy Cannoli it’s Scott Connole in Dubbo’s F500 Victory Lane. Sadly it was a m 128
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much reduced field of just five cars. – Lone Wolf Pic. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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With where’s Wally on the side it was where’s Troy as Troy Dawes ran off of wit 130
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th the win in the Street Stocks at Dubbo back in April. – Lone Wolf Pic. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Wyatt Lawler took the lucky #13 to the win in the Dubbo round of the Mid State 132
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e Easter Trail. – Lone Wolf Pic. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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odified Production Sedans are one class, like their little brother Street Stocks, that provide incredibly close door to door racing at the top level and this was no different in the 2022 Australian Modified Production Sedan Championship at Heartland Raceway in Moama where Victorian Brock Atkins fulfilled a long held ambition to become the 2022 Speedway Sedans Australia National Modified Sedan Champion. Atkins got the better of an outstanding battle with good friend and reigning Champion Kye Walters in the concluding stages of a thrilling forty lap main event before an appreciative crowd at the venue which sits on the Victorian/ New South Wales border. Kingaroy’s Brett Barron lead the point standings coming into the final night, with the final round of heats producing plenty of drama. The first two of two B Mains saw Rodney Pammenter, Matt Gerlach & Zac Swanson advance into the A Main after Swanson found a way past Kingaroy’s Alex Sweeney in the concluding stages.
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Toowoomba’s Nathan Macdonald entertained the fans on the hill and at home in the second B Main by going around the outside of many competitors to steal the final transfer position from Brad Warren. Macdonald would start from position twenty-two for the main event as Victorians Wade McCarthy & Matt Nelson finished first and second in the final preliminary race of the National Title. Twenty-two cars would face the green flag for the main event to decide the championship with the Mercedes C380 of Jarod Waters sharigng the front row with Barron. Waters got the better of the start with Barron falling back to sixth place on the opening lap. Lap two would see the first stoppage of the race with 2012 National Champion David Smith, Gerlach and Pammenter all out of the race with heavy damage after coming together. Waters lead away after the restart as Walters, Max Clarke & Brock Atkins battled for the minor placings.
Modified Production Australian Title Atkins moved past Clarke into third and then was soon into second as he found a way past Walters. The driver of the V0 Ford Falcon set out after the race leader with the 2022 Kings Royal Champion hitting the lead on lap eighteen after a fierce battle with Waters. The V92 Mercedes was soon back to fourth place by lap twenty-four as Walters and Clarke moved past into the poduim positions. Adam Jorgensen retired with a flat tyre on lap twenty-five after sitting in as high as seventh place in what was a disappointing end to the weekend for the North Queensland based driver. The second stoppage came about after Ty Galley in the N0 Toyota Lexcen collected the concrete wall on lap twenty-nine setting up a thrilling run to the flag.
lane as his thanked his family and friends with particular attention paid to his parents Kellie & Greg along with younger brother Todd who make it all possible for the team to contest major events around the country. Atkins will defend the SSA National Modified Sedan Title at Albany’s Attwell Park Speedway in Western Australia at Easter 2023. A Main, 40 Laps- 1. V0 Brock Atkins, 2. A1 Kye Walters, 3. V92 Jarod Waters, 4. V36 Todd Atkins, 5. N15 Max Clarke, 6. V33 Daniel Simpson, 7. V32 Brody Chrystie, 8. Q23 Tim Atkin, 9. V17 Brad Wicks, 10. V5 Darcy Wilson, 11. V6 Wade McCarthy, DNF Jay Nicolaisen (37), V61 Matt Nelson (33), VA11 Nick Cockerill (30), Q32 Nathan Macdonald (30), Q148 Brett Barron (30), N0 Ty Galley (29), Q25 Adam Jorgensen (25), VA15 Zac Swanson (15) V19 David Smith (1), Q8 Rodney Pammenter (1), V14 Matt Gerlach (1), Quick Time A1 Kye Walters 20.859.
Drama unfolded as the cars rolled around under the yellow lights when Nick Cockerill headed infield with an engine issue while in sixth place. The final laps of the main event were a thrilling affair as Walters threw everything at the race leader Brock Atkins, as the two Ford Falcons banged panels for the National Title. Walters hit the lead momentarily on lap thirtythree as Atkins fought back on his former Junior Sedan sparring partner. Atkins negotiated the final laps to win his maiden National Title in SSA Modified Sedans by 1.863 seconds from Walters & Waters rounding out the top three. Todd Atkins drove a smart race to finish fourth after originally starting in position seven with 2011 National Champion Clarke officially fifth. Just eleven cars completed the distance in what was a thrilling conclusion to a great weekend. Brock Atkins was a relieved winner in victory HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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n some ways it wasn’t the same without multiple Champion and Anthony Beare’s nemesis Brad McClure contesting the title, but in other ways it was just the same, as Beare scored his sixth Australian Street Stock Championship and third consecutive at the Hi-Tec Oils Toowoomba Speedway in Queensland. Beare led all forty laps on his way to his third straight victory in what was the 31st edition of the SSA National Street Stock Title. Current Queensland & Victorian Champion Matt Nelson came from position nine to finish second after getting the better of the battle between himself and former South
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Australian champion Steve Gartner from Mount Gambier. The title was, as always well supported with a huge field of 95 competitors representing every state and territory. Twenty Two finalists paraded four wide before an appreciative crowd as the fireworks erupted in anticipation. The Commodore of Jack Yates assumed the pole position after top qualifier Anthony Beare elected to start on the outside of the front row. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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Beare took the front running from Yates as Ben Stead brought about the first stoppage on lap three after spinning. When the race got back underway Beare lead Yates and Steve Gartner to the green flag after Gartner had come from position eight to third in the early stages.
Stead brought on the yellows for the second time in the race on lap eighteen with a flat right rear tyre as Gartner and Nelson continued their struggle for third place.
It nearly ended in tears for Steve Gartner when he climbed the back straight wall after contact between himself and Lodge Yates would run wide on lap five collectas fifth place Jace Kempton hit the coning the concrete wall with a disappointing crete wall heavily in turn three ending his retirement as James Russell also headed race on lap twenty one. infield. Four time Western Australian Champion Lap seven saw the demise of Lenny after Jamie Oldfield was also out on lap twenty suffering a suspension failure as John one as just fifteen cars remained. Lodge moved into second place. Twelfth place starting Joel Berkley found Matt Nelson began his surge forward himself challenging for a top five posichallenging Gartner for third as Lodge tion as the race entered its concluding attempted to try and run down the race stages. leader Anthony Beare.
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Berkley and Lodge would come together on lap twenty-eight ending the run of Berkley.
Beare celebrated his seventh career National Title victory in speedway with some crowd pleasing donuts around the racetrack.
Dale Morrison was also out on lap twenty eight as Beare lead the field away from In victory lane Beare was extremely Gartner who was starting to suffer from emotional thanking his family and supthe effects of his earlier incident. porters for their continued support of his racing career which continues to reach Gartner started to man handle his manew heights. chine around the high banks in pursuit of both Beare and Nelson as it started to A Main Forty Laps- 1. S46 Anthony get tight at the front of the field. Beare, 2. V61 Matt Nelson, 3. S32 Northern Territory champion Justin Steve Gartner, 4. NT5 Justin Brumfield, Brumfield moved passed both Lodge and 5. QA88 Nathan Barbeler, 6. N28 John Morris Ahearn into the top five after start- Lodge, 7. VA4 Morris Ahearn, 8. V81 Dying from position seventeen. lan Campton, 9. V84 Bradley Warren, 10. V46 Jye Irving, 11. W27 Damon Lyall, In the final ten laps Beare put enough 12. V16 Ricky Cornwall, 13. S86 Bailey racetrack between himself and Nelson Heinrich. DNF: N38 Joel Berkley (28), to steer his Commodore to an historic VA13 Dale Morrison (28), W0 Jamie Oldsixth SSA National Street Stock Title as field (21), W55 Jace Kempton (21), Q10 Nelson finished second from Gartner Bean Stead (18), W74 Lenny Bates (7), with Brumfield and Queensland’s Nathan NT15 Jack Yates (5), QA95 James RusBarbeler both going from the B Main to sell (5), V82 Shane Roycroft (2). Total finish inside the top five. Time: No Time. Winning Margin: 0.897. Fastest Lap: 17.334 NT15 Jack Yates.
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ith final preparations made, the field whittled down from 81 entries to its 20 highest point scorers and drivers ready to rock before mother nature did the unthinkable as the heavens opened before the 2022 AWSR Australian Wingless Sprint Championship A-Main could fire a shot. With defending champion Kyle Mock on pole and the feisty Daniel Storer along-
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side him on the front row, rain began tumbling down and never really let up long enough for the track team to get the show on the road again. It was a crushing blow to drivers, teams, fans, Murray Bridge Speedway and Australian Wingless Sprint Racing (AWSR) who had all contributed enormously to make the weekend a memorable one.
Images by Picko Starting with the twenty one heats on Friday night and preliminary A-Main win by Rylan Furler, the Saturday night finale had plenty of expectation.
to be abandoned just minutes before the green flag was set to fall on the 40-lap, 20-car title decider.
With the final seven heats run, two CMains and two B-Mains all appeared set for a memorable conclusion.
The idea of a Sunday race was unfortunately quashed with the limited availability of emergency services (paramedics/ ambulance).
Unfortunately the threatening inclement weather closed in and the weekend had
No Wingless Sprint Australian Champion has been declared for 2022. HIGHLINE MAGAZINE
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The AWSR and Murray Machining & Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway wishes to thank fans, teams, sponsors, club members, the committee and all of the respective volunteers who made the weekend such a success throughout.
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The rain-out so close to the A-Main was hard to take, especially after the huge effort by everyone concerned to conduct the weekend.
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