Interest is pouring in thick and fast for the 2016-17 season Australian Wingless Sprint Championship, which will be held at Cranes Combined Carrick Speedway from February 23-25, 2017.
While nominations have not yet officially opened, 20 drivers have already expressed their interest in the event, having each paid initial deposits for transport etc.
With 12 of those drivers coming from Victoria alone, the Garden State’s contingent is looking extremely strong. Last season’s Alfie’s Excavation and Plant Hire Super Series Champion Daniel Storer was among the first to put up his hand for the Championship event, along with younger brother Luke. Travis Millar is a consistent front-runner, having finished second in the 2015-16 SA Title, while Wayne Hurford, who won the Gary Bowden Memorial Cup, placed second in the Velocita Eastern Challenge and fourth in the Tasmanian Title, is also expected to fare well.
Also preparing to travel to Tasmania from Victoria in February will be Australian Wingless Sprint Racing President Mick Parry, along with Geoff Cook, Glen Watts, Glenn Harris, Sam Wren, Wayne Logue and Peter Logue, who finished second to Daniel Storer in the Super Series, second to Hurford in the Gary Bowden Memorial Cup and fourth in the Velocita Eastern Challenge. Joining the class at the end of last season following a background in Junior Sedans, Carly Walsh has hit the ground running and will be hoping to gain some valuable experience.
South Australian hard-charger Joel Chadwick, who was named last season’s SA Champion, is also on the cards to run up the front, while WA-based Sam Borlini, who recently impressed, taking out the NT Triple Challenge at Darwin’s Northline Speedway, plans to drive the Mike Borchardt-owned car.
Also intending to make the trip south is Northern Territory native Leigh Mugavin, along with Queenslanders Scott and Brody Thomsen. Scott Thomsen qualified on pole for last season’s Australian Championship; however after being forced to prematurely retire from the race due to mechanical issues, he will no doubt be bringing his A game come title time.
It’s no surprise that current Australian Champion Daniel Hartigan is keen to defend his title, after sweeping both nights of the event last season. There will no doubt be some friendly fire between Hartigan and his best friend and current WA Champion Tom Payet, who has also expressed his interest, along with former WA Champion Dean Gittos.
With 40-50 cars in total expected to contest the Australian Championship event, AWSR is thrilled with the amount of interest already received.
“Travelling to Tasmania involves decent cost and significant effort and so far the drivers have exceeded expectations,” commented Parry.
“It’s extremely encouraging to see how popular Wingless Sprints are throughout Australia. The class is definitely building prestige and continuing to grow and the Australian Championship event is going to continue that trend.”
For more information on the Australian Wingless Sprints Championship, contact Mick Parry on 0423 548 622.
To find out more about AWSR, visit their website at www.awsr.com.au or LIKE them on Facebook by searching Australian Wingless Sprint Racing.