It’s a big 2016-17 season on the cards for the Tasmanian Wingless Sprints and the drivers will be looking to perform well when they host the Australian and State Titles in addition to their 12 other meetings.
Launceston’s Brad Whitchurch made his state proud in 2015-16, successfully defending his Tasmanian Title and clinching second place in the Australian Title at Toowoomba’s Hi-Tec Oils Speedway. Whitchurch will attempt to repeat his dominant form, which also saw him come away with a host of feature-race victories.
Former Lightning Sprints racer Luke Redpath will be looking to achieve some strong top-five results, while Hadyn McBain, who was the next local across the line in the Tasmanian Title coming home in third place behind Queensland’s Scott Thomsen, will no doubt be a strong contender.
After coming off suspension, Jeremy Smith will make a return this season and will be hoping to redeem himself, while Chris Breen will also make a comeback, and piloting a new car, he will definitely be looking for that number one.
Rookie Narelle Blight will join the Wingless Sprints for her debut season and will gain all of the experience she can throughout 2016-17, prior to the all-important Title events, which are sure to provide some tough competition.
Getting some early laps under their belts this season were former Tasmanian Champion Brad Herbert, Tim Herbert, Hadyn McBain and Jack Crossin (driving the Tas # 45 owned by Ashley Walsh), who all attended the practice session at Hobart Speedway, while Whitchurch, Wade Lello, Blight and Joe Turnbull attended the practice session at Carrick Speedway, along with the second Tim McKinnell-owned car, which is yet to have a driver.
Carrick Speedway hosted the Tasmanian Wingless Sprints’ first event for the season on Saturday night and it was Whitchurch who showed that he will once again be the one to beat, scoring the win ahead of fast-paced Jack Crossin and Turnbull. Whitchurch and Herbert came away with heat-race wins.
The 2016-17 season calendar for the Tasmanian Wingless Sprints includes the Australian Title at Carrick Speedway from February 23-25 and the Tasmanian Title, also at Carrick Speedway on March 11.
For more information, contact Robbie Blight on 0418 469 816 or visit their website at www.awsr.com.au/tas. You can also LIKE them on Facebook by searching Wingless Sprints Tasmania.