In what was a hugely successful event, the Tasmanian locals certainly held their own against the fierce interstate invaders in the 2017 Powranna Plant Hire Australian Championship, held at Carrick Speedway a fortnight ago.
With 21 Tasmanian-based drivers from the host state nominated for the hotly-contested event, many of whom had never raced against the 25 mainlanders, a number of impressive results were achieved, most notably with seven of the state’s drivers qualifying for the feature race and two of them finishing inside the top 10. Luke Redpath, from Sassafras near Latrobe, gave an impressive performance to claim the runner-up spot behind newly-crowned Australian Champion Joel Chadwick (SA), while Latrobe’s Jeremy Smith also delivered a strong showing, coming home in seventh.
Photo: Angryman Photography
“Hosting the Australian Championship in Tasmania for the first time was a huge success, which is evident in the amount of drivers who participated,” expressed Wingless Sprints Tasmania President Chris Breen, a former Tasmanian Champion who also contested the Australian Championship event, qualifying into the feature race via a second-place finish in the B main, where he finished 14th.
“With the level of talent that was amongst the field, qualifying into the feature race was an achievement in itself and the Tassie drivers certainly rose to the challenge, with several spectators saying it was the best Wingless Sprint racing they’d seen all season.
“While some of the drivers didn’t get the results they were hoping for, they would have taken a lot out of racing against unfamiliar competitors and ultimately they will benefit from the experience in the future.”
Photo: Angryman Photography
The Tasmanian locals will now look towards this Saturday night’s running of the 2016-17 Tasmanian Title, once again at Carrick Speedway, where they will take on seven interstaters, including Australian Champion Chadwick, who are set to return to the track. Unfortunately for Luke Wilson, Narelle Blight and Robin Dawkins, they will be unable to race due to damage sustained during the Australian Championship weekend.
The state’s form driver and defending and two-time Tasmanian Champion Brad Whitchurch will attempt to score a hat trick of state titles when he goes up against the in-form Redpath, Breen, Smith and a number of other likely front-runners.
The Tasmanian Title format will see drivers contest three rounds of 10-lap heat races, a B main and the 30-lap Tasmanian Title-deciding feature race.
For more information on the Tasmanian Title, contact Chris Breen on 0409 951 868.
To find out more about the Tasmanian Wingless Sprints, visit their website at www.awsr.com.au/tas or LIKE them on Facebook by searching Wingless Sprints Tasmania.