Despite a sturdy line-up of drivers getting ready to converge on Carrick Speedway for the 2016-17 season Powranna Plant Hire Australian Wingless Sprint Championship this weekend, a determined band of Tasmanian locals are preparing to launch a solid defence.

The Apple Isle’s main hope comes in the form of Brad Whitchurch, who has been the state’s form driver so far this season, having already collected multiple feature-race wins. After a second-place finish in last season’s Australian Championship, the Launceston-based racer will be focused on outperforming his opponents to come away with top honours.

Off the back of two recent feature-race wins at Hobart Speedway, Latrobe’s Jeremy Smith is in impressive form heading into the Australian Championship event and is sure to be another likely front-runner, as will former Lightning Sprints racer and multiple podium-place getter Luke Redpath.

After making a comeback at the beginning of the season, former Tasmanian Champion Chris Breen will be looking to capitalise on his experience in order to regain the top spot, while Jack Crossin, who also made a return to the driver’s seat this season by piloting the Tas # 45 car for Ashley Walsh, will also be a front-running contender.

Tas Wingless preview AWSR

Photo: Angryman Photography

Another former state champion in Brad Herbert will be looking to continue his recent form, having recently scored a runner-up finish at Hobart Speedway, and will be joined in the field by his dad, Tim Herbert.

Finishing third in the 2015-16 season Tasmanian Title at Hobart Speedway, Hadyn McBain will be vying for a top-five result, along with youngsters Wade Lello and Luke Wilson, who stepped into Wingless Sprints from Formula 500s, while Jamie Rolls is also not to be discounted.

Rookie Narelle Blight will be hoping to put her best foot forward in the biggest event on the season calendar, as will fellow rookies Troy Lewis, Ryan Harding and Jake Power. The latter will be hoping to steer his new Stinger Chassis to a good result.

Other local contenders include veteran Sprintcar racer Robin Dawkins, Josh Padman, Joe Turnbull, Jacob Goodluck, D’Wayne Williams and Bradley Walkley.

The Australian Championship will be held over three days, beginning on Thursday, February 23 with practice and the Calcutta. The following Friday night will see drivers contest the first rounds of heat races and a preliminary feature race, with the remaining heats and Australian Championship-deciding feature race to be held on the Saturday night of February 25. The event offers a whopping prize pool of $22,000, with $4,000 to win.

Two weeks later, Cranes Combined Carrick Speedway will host the Tasmanian Wingless Sprint Title on the Saturday night of March 11.

To find out more about the Australian Wingless Sprints Championship, contact Mick Parry on 0423 548 622, and to find out more about the Tasmanian Title, contact Chris Breen on 0409 951 868.

For more information on the AWSR, visit their website at www.awsr.com.au or LIKE them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter by searching Australian Wingless Sprint Racing.

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