With the 2016-17 season now upon us, there are a number of Western Australian Wingless Sprint drivers who will be hoping to back up their strong last-season results, along with some newcomers who will be looking to prove themselves.
Off the back of his dominant Australian Title performance, which was no doubt the highlight of his 2015-16 campaign, current and two-time Australian Champion Daniel Hartigan will once again be hoping to top the driver charts this season. Finishing second to best friend Tom Payet in the WA Title and fifth in the Queensland Title, not to mention numerous feature-race wins and podium finishes, Hartigan will be extremely tough to beat.
Back-to-back WA Champion Payet, who also locked up the WA Country Championship last season and scored second in the WA Club Championship, will be one of the contenders taking the fight to Hartigan, as the battle of the best mates reignites.
With multiple feature-race victories under his belt, Perth Motorplex Champion Kyle Beard will also be a likely front-runner. Beard’s consistent form also saw him come away with first place in the Fast Series, second place in the WA Country Championship and third in the WA Club Championship.
Brendon Wedge is not to be discounted, having wrapped up the WA Club Championship and clinching third place in the WA Country Championship. Rookie Brayden Miller is set to commence his debut season in Wingless Sprints; however, given his previous experience in Limited Sprintcars, the two-time State Champion will be one to watch.
Others looking for a strong season include the likes of Mitch ‘Big Red’ White, Bradley Taylor and Brad Fitzgerald.
The newcomers this season consist of Kyle Cutts and Matt Harris, who will both be looking to gain some on-track experience against some their tough opponents.
Last weekend, the WA Wingless Sprints contest their first meeting for the season at the Perth Motorplex, with Matthew Iwanow taking the victory ahead of Hartigan and Payet, proving that he will be a tough competitor throughout the season. Heat-race wins went the way of Iwanow and Payet.
The 2016-17 season calendar for the WA Wingless Sprints includes the WA Title at Perth Motorplex on January 13 and the KeenQuip 50-Lapper at Collie Speedway on March 11.
For more information, contact Kim Beard on 0419 831 924 or visit their website at www.awsr.com.au/wa. You can also LIKE them on Facebook by searching Wingless Sprints W.A.