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In The News - 2007 / 2008

FORMER Australian champions set the pace in round eight of the Chickenfeed Wanless World Series Sprintcars championship at Latrobe's Mountain Dew Ice International Speedway last night.

On a slick, dry track, series leader and reigning Australian champion Brooke Tatnell, former Australian champion and reigning world series champion Max Dumesny, and former Australian champion Robbie Farr, all from NSW, topped sheets after time trials and early heats.

American ace Jason Johnson, who finished fourth in the seventh round in Hobart last week, was again keeping the pressure on the top three who occupied the podium last week.

Despite starting from grid nine in the first heat Tatnell stormed through the second, taking the lead after early leader Kurt Luttrell, of Launceston, retired in-field with an engine fire.

Queenslander Alan Haynes managed to take the victory in heat two, while Tasmanian Jason Redpath, of Latrobe, was too quick in heat three to hold off the hard charging Dan Morton, of Queensland.

With the track re-graded for the second round of heats, Jason Johnson adapted quickest to rocket into the lead from grid four in the fourth to record a blistering win in a clear warning to his rivals.

Former Tasmanian champion Adrian Redpath, who was the fastest Tasmanian in time trials led home his brother Jason in the fifth heat to qualify well up the order for the final, with Queenslander James McFadden coming from grid three for a solid win in the sixth heat.

However, McFadden's heat victory was placed under a cloud after his car was allegedly underweight as he ran over the scales at the end of the race.

But it was Australian champion Tatnell who looked ominous heading into the final after improving his time trial effort from Hobart last week by setting the fastest time, followed by Farr and Dumesny, who all finished on the podium last week as well.

RESULTS - Chickenfeed Wanless World Series Sprintcars (round eight) Time trials: B. Tatnell (NSW), 1; R. Farr (NSW), 2; M. Dumesny (NSW), 3; A. Redpath (Tas.), 4; J. Dawkins (Tas.), 5. Heat one: J. Johnson (US), 1; B. Tatnell (NSW), 2; T. Green (SA), 3. Heat two: A. Haynes (Qld), 1; T. Austin, 2; R. Maiolo (SA), 3. Heat three: J. Redpath (Tas.), 1; D. Morton (Qld), 2; J. McFadden (Qld), 3. Heat four: J. Johnson (US), 1; A. Haynes (Qld), 2; S. Wynne-Allan (Tas.), 3. Heat five: A. Redpath (Tas.), 1; J. Redpath, 2; M. Dumesny (NSW), 3. Heat six: J. McFadden (Qld), 1; P. Lack ()Qld), 2; G. Hoekstra (Tas.), 3.

Formula 500s Heat one: M. Hardy, 1; D. Robbins, 2; M. Redpath, 3. Heat two: M. Redpath, 1; S. Robbins, 2; N. Beveridge, 3. Final (12 laps): M. Redpath, 1; D. Robbins, 3; N. Beveridge, 3.

Street stock sedans Heat one: Todd Auton, 1; T. Russell, 2; B. Cooper, 3. Heat two: T. Russell, 1; R. Morton, 2; C. Bauld, 3.

Junior sedans Heat one: B. Webster, 1; L. Stone, 2; A. Ryder, 3. Heat two: A. Ryder, 1; B. Webster, 2; L. Stone, 3.

Speedkarts Heat one: J. Knight, 1; T. Whelan, 2; S. Lawrence, 3. Heat two: C. Dransfield, 1; B. Jackson, 2; G. Lawrence, 3. Heat three: J. Knight, 1; T. Whelan, 2; B. Overton, 3. Heat four: J. Dransfiekd, 1; B. Harris, 2; G. McCarthy, 3.

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Latrobe, TAS - American Jason Johnson became the seventh different feature winner in the 2007-08 Wanless World Series Sprintcars championship after holding Max Dumesny and then Brooke Tatnell at bay to claim Round 8 at Mountain Dew Ice International Speedway.

Johnson ( Supaloc / Armor All Eagle ) won the opening race to the first corner over fellow front row starter Dumesny ( Valvoline / GKR Transport Maxim ) only to see Trevor Green ( Adrad Radiators / Australia Wide Towing Cool ) cut a tyre resulting in a complete restart.

The Cajun Sensation again outdragged the seven times champion on the complete restart and set sail towards his maiden victory of this summer's championship.

At the half race stage Tatnell ( Toyota Genuine Parts / Valvoline Cool ) swept by Dumesny to take over second but a spin by James McFadden ( Morvale Group / Precision Earthmoving Repairs Eagle ) a lap later halted his charge towards Johnson.

All attention switched to Danny Reidy ( Queensland Speedway Spares / SDA Plumbing Eagle ) on the ensuing restart as he blew by Robbie Farr ( East Coast Pipeline / Orrcon J&J ) and Adrian Redpath at opposing ends of the circuit before looping the car. Redpath luckily kept the car under power as a not so fortunate Dan Morton ( Morvale Group / Precision Earthmoving Repairs Eagle ) flipped out of the feature event.

From the restart Johnson held sway over Tatnell whilst Redpath snatched the final podium position from Dumesny on the penultimate lap.

The win was Jason Johnson's ninth career win in Wanless World Series Sprintcars competition and could not have come soon enough.

"It has been a hard fought year so far!" announced Johnson from the winners circle.

"This is a great victory for the team just before we go into Speedweek."

The season thus far has been treacherous for the Disbury Family Racing outfit but this win will go a long way towards retaining the spirit amongst the camp.

"I certainly come out here to enjoy myself and win races and a night like tonight sure makes you enjoy it all again."

The win was Johnson's second victory at the Latrobe venue.

Australian champion Brooke Tatnell continued his ultra consistent run by steering his Krikke Motorsports machine into his sixth podium finish from eight starts consolidating his points lead in the process.

Tatnell stalked Johnson in two separte attempts but was left to rue the mid race stoppage.

"We went for a harder compound than Jason and that long red didn't help us at all." explained Tatnell.

"It took us 8 to 10 laps to get heat back into the tyres after that stoppage and we pushed so hard that in the end we burnt them up."

Tatnell was at the same time full of praise for the race winner.

"Full credit to Jason as he done a good job tonight."

"It is great for the series that the wins are getting shared around but we just want more to come our way."

Tatnell is amazingly the only repeat feature win in this years championship. Other winners have been Kerry Madsen, Peter Lack, Todd Wanless, Garry Brazier, Robbie Farr and now Johnson.

Third home was Adrian Redpath who equaled his career best finish in World Series Sprintcars competition. His other podium finish was a third placing to Robbie Farr and Brooke Tatnell at Speedway City in the opening Speedweek round of the 2005-06 championship.

Redpath was obviously thrilled with the result.

"We are rapt to get third especially at our home track in front of all our sponsors and fans."

"This is terrific!"

The fact that Redpath was only a few revs away from stalling amidst the chaos on lap 16 was not lost on the talented pilot from the Holiday Isle.

"We were lucky to keep it going. We could easily have been restarting at the rear of the field right there!"

Max Dumesny was squeezed out of third but held on to finish fourth ahead of Jason Dawkins who mirrored his top five effort last weekend at Hobart. Fellow Tasmanian Jamie Bricknell was impressive passing six cars - earning him the Hoosier Hard Charger award - on his way to finishing in sixth.

Robbie Farr, Peter Lack ( G&W Racing / Caltex JEI ), Trevor Green and David Murcott ( Mainline Dynalog Dynamometers / John Sidney Racing JEI ) rounded out the top ten.

Earlier in the night Brooke Tatnell paced the field with an 11.509 at an average speed of 137.63km/h

The Wanless World Series Sprintcars return to action for Round 9 on Boxing day, December 26th at Speedway City Adelaide which doubles as the opening round of the annual Speedweek series.

Wanless World Series Sprintcars Rnd 8; Mountain Dew Ice Speedway,TAS; Dec 15, 2007

Comp Cams Qualifying
1. A1-Brooke Tatnell 11.509 (137.63 km/h)
2. Q7-Robbie Farr 11.862
3. V5-Max Dumesny 11.889
4. T12-Adrian Redpath 11.905
5. T17-Jason Dawkins 11.919
6. T55-Jamie Bricknell 12.055
7. N11-Trevor Green 12.075
8. V77-David Murcott 12.082
9. NT5-Danny Reidy 12.083
10. T20-Ashley House 12.129
11. Q16-Bryan Mann 12.133
12. t10-Mitchell Dumesny 12.151
13. U5-Jason Johnson 12.220
14. Q58-Peter Lack 12.244
15. Q78-Daniel Morton 12.256
16. T50-Malcolm Lee 12.367
17. S24-Ricky Maiolo 12.409
18. Q77-James McFadden 12.490
19. T2-Shannon Wynne-Allen 12.587
20. T22-Jeff Lette 12.596
21. T11-Jason Redpath 12.682
22. T9-Anthony Johns 12.769
23. Q47-Allan Haynes 12.824
24. T4-Gerry Hoekstra 12.900
25. T45-Kurt Luttrell 12.929
26. T97-Steven Rowe 13.093
27. T15-Tim Austin 13.123
28. T16-Adam Alexander 13.419

Heat
1. U5-Jason Johnson
2. A1-Brooke Tatnell
3. N11-Trevor Green
4. T9-Anthony Johns
5. T12-Adrian Redpath
6. T2-Shannon Wynne-Allen
7. T20-Ashley House
8. T50-Malcolm Lee
9. T97-Steven Rowe

Heat
1. Q47-Allan Haynes
2. T15-Tim Austin
3. S24-Ricky Maiolo
4. Q7-Robbie Farr
5. T17-Jason Dawkins
6. V77-David Murcott
7. T22-Jeff Lette
8. Q58-Peter Lack
9. T3-Phill Coates
10. Q16-Bryan Mann

Heat
1. T11-Jason Redpath
2. Q78-Daniel Morton
3. Q77-James McFadden
4. V5-Max Dumesny
5. NT5-Danny Reidy
6. T4-Gerry Hoekstra
7. T55-Jamie Bricknell
8. t10-Mitchell Dumesny
9. T16-Adam Alexander

Heat
1. U5-Jason Johnson
2. Q47-Allan Haynes
3. T2-Shannon Wynne-Allen
4. N11-Trevor Green
5. A1-Brooke Tatnell
6. S24-Ricky Maiolo
7. Q16-Bryan Mann
8. T17-Jason Dawkins
9. T3-Phill Coates

Heat
1. T12-Adrian Redpath
2. T11-Jason Redpath
3. V5-Max Dumesny
4. Q78-Daniel Morton
5. NT5-Danny Reidy
6. T20-Ashley House
7. T9-Anthony Johns
8. T50-Malcolm Lee
9. T97-Steven Rowe
10. T16-Adam Alexander

Heat
1. Q58-Peter Lack
2. T4-Gerry Hoekstra
3. T22-Jeff Lette
4. Q7-Robbie Farr
5. V77-David Murcott
6. t10-Mitchell Dumesny
7. T55-Jamie Bricknell
8. T27-Kane Cruse

Dash
1. U5-Jason Johnson
2. A1-Brooke Tatnell
3. Q7-Robbie Farr
4. V77-David Murcott
5. T17-Jason Dawkins
6. Q78-Daniel Morton

Dash
1. V5-Max Dumesny
2. T12-Adrian Redpath
3. N11-Trevor Green
4. NT5-Danny Reidy
5. T11-Jason Redpath
6. T55-Jamie Bricknell

B-Main
1. Q58-Peter Lack
2. Q47-Allan Haynes
3. S24-Ricky Maiolo
4. t10-Mitchell Dumesny
5. Q77-James McFadden
6. T20-Ashley House
7. Q16-Bryan Mann
8. T2-Shannon Wynne-Allen
9. T4-Gerry Hoekstra
10. T22-Jeff Lette
11. T3-Phill Coates
12. T50-Malcolm Lee
13. T9-Anthony Johns
14. T16-Adam Alexander
15. T15-Tim Austin
16. T27-Kane Cruse
17. T97-Steven Rowe

A-Main
1. U5-Jason Johnson [1] - 150 pts
2. A1-Brooke Tatnell [3] - 146 pts
3. T12-Adrian Redpath [4] - 144 pts
4. V5-Max Dumesny [2] - 142 pts
5. T17-Jason Dawkins [9] - 140 pts
6. T55-Jamie Bricknell [12] - 138 pts
7. Q7-Robbie Farr [5] - 136 pts
8. Q58-Peter Lack [13] - 134 pts
9. N11-Trevor Green [6] - 132 pts
10. V77-David Murcott [7] - 130 pts
11. t10-Mitchell Dumesny [16] - 128 pts
12. T11-Jason Redpath [10] - 126 pts
13. Q47-Allan Haynes [14] - 124 pts
14. S24-Ricky Maiolo [15] - 122 pts
15. T20-Ashley House [18] - 120 pts
16. Q77-James McFadden [17] - 118 pts
17. NT5-Danny Reidy [8] - 116 pts
18. Q78-Daniel Morton [11] - 114 pts

Contingency Awards :
Comp Cams Quick Time Award : A1-Brooke Tatnell
Vortex Wings Dash Award : U5-Jason Johnson.
Hoosier Hard Charger Award : T55-Jamie Bricknell passed 6 cars.
VMAC Lucky 10th Place Award : V77-David Murcott

---

REIGNING Australian sprintcar champion Brooke Tatnell hopes victory at the Latrobe Speedway on Saturday will keep alive his hopes in the world series sprintcar championship.

The former Sydney driver, who is based in Minnesota, leads the series, but has seen his points advantage whittled away in the past two rounds. The five-time world series champ finished third in the last round in Hobart last weekend.

With six different winners from seven rounds, Tatnell is the only multiple round winner heading to the venue where he won his third Australian title last season.

However, reigning world series champion and three- time Australian champion Max Dumesny, has also recorded some big wins at Latrobe.

Dumesny has won three of the past four world series rounds held at Latrobe and finished second ahead of Tatnell in Hobart.

The Sydney driver has been steadily bridging the gap behind Tatnell.

Last round winner Robbie Farr, of NSW, is in ominous form after winning in Hobart.

Tatnell, Dumesny and Farr won't be the only stars at Latrobe, with a field of 30 talented drivers to contest the prestigious event.

American ace Jason Johnson, of Louisiana, Launceston's Jason Dawkins, former Tasmanian champion Adrian Redpath, of Latrobe, all loom as potential challengers, along with NSW driver Trevor Green and flamboyant Northern Territory racer Danny "The Rockstar" Reidy.

Four-time Tasmanian champion David Murcott, formerly of Devonport, will be out to prove a point on the track where he once held the lap record.

Gates will open at 3pm, with hot laps and time trials from 5.30pm.

Support class action will also include V8 AMCA nationals, street stock sedans and junior sedans.

Six heats of world series sprintcars will decide the top 12 to automatically qualify for the final, with the next six cars to make up the grid for the 30-lap final, coming through the semi- finals.

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REIGNING Australian sprintcar champion Brooke Tatnell hopes victory at the Tasmania's Latrobe speedway on Saturday will keep alive his hopes in the world series sprintcar championship.

The former Sydney driver, who is based in Minnesota, leads the series, but has seen his points advantage whittled away in the past two rounds. The five-time world series champ finished third in the last round in Hobart last weekend.
With six different winners from seven rounds, Tatnell is the only multiple round winner heading into the venue where he won his third Australian title last season.
However, reigning world series champion and three-time Australian champion Max Dumesny, has also recorded some big wins at Latrobe.

---

Former Tasmanian champion Phillip Townsend has extended his lead in the $70,000 National Pies Super Sedan Series after a convincing victory in round four at the Mountain Dew Ice International Speedway at Latrobe on Saturday night.

The series round was the main event on the Wyllie Tiles Christmas Fireworks Spectacular meeting and a quality field ensured the sparks were flying on the track as well as high above the arena.

Townsend, of Ulverstone, qualified on grid three for the 30-lap final, but had muscled his way into second past Hobart's Steve Latham after only two laps.

Fellow Hobart driver Bruno Jetson started on pole position after a great performance in the heats with a first and a second, but a minor mistake on lap six allowed Townsend and Latham by as the southern driver slipped to third place.

Townsend and Latham were able to open up a gap as Jetson came under fire from former State champion Brad Smith, of Devonport.

As the race approached the halfway mark, Townsend and Latham were closing fast on lapped traffic.

Ulverstone rookie and former street stock sedan driver Troy Auton was in their sights as Latham slipped underneath and Townsend chose the high way around.

However, the latter spun, causing a stoppage, which officials ruled was in fact caused by Auton, allowing Townsend back in front for the re-start.

At the re-start, contact between Brad Smith and Bruno Jetson resulted in a rear puncture for Jetson, ending his race a lap later on the in-field.

Townsend and Latham again cleared out to a handy break as Smith was also able to put some space between himself and the charging pack.

The order remained unchanged in the closing laps with Latham pressuring Townsend all the way with Smith third.

The same programme saw Tasmanian mini-sprint champion Kerry Short extending his lead in the Palmers Plumbing Mini- sprint Super Series after dominating round four, winning both heats and the final.

In other events on the support programme, Ulverstone V8 AMCA driver Corey Smith made it back to victories after also winning the AMCA final at Carrick last week, this time beating home Devonport's Marcus Alexander and Longford driver Matthew Smith.

New Norfolk's Dwayne Sonners proved too strong in the Tassie sixes final after jumping Forest driver Wayne Smith, who dominated the heats and qualified on pole position before finishing second ahead of Hobart's Ashley Madden.

RESULTS - $70,000 National Pies Super Sedan Series (round four) - Heat one: S. Latham, 1; S. Hughes, 2; G. Hopkins, 3. Heat two: P. Townsend, 1; B. Jetson, 2; B. Dawkins, 3. Heat three: B. Jetson, 1; G. Hopkins, 2; J. Harper, 3. Heat four: B. Smith, 1; A. Manion, 2; S. Latham, 3. Final (30 laps): P. Townsend, 1; S. Latham, 2; B. Smith, 3.

Palmers Plumbing Mini-sprint Super Series (round four) Heat one K. Short, 1; L. Redpath, 2; C. Mason, 3. Heat two: K. Short, 1; L. Redpath, 2; N. Hale, 3. Final (12 laps): K. Short, 1; L. Redpath, 2; N. Hale, 3.

V8 AMCA nationals Heat one: C. Bagorski, 1; M. Alexander, 2; C. Hughes, 3. Heat two: M. Alexander, 1; C. Smith, 2; M. Smith, 3. Heat three: C. Smith, 1; K. Millwood, 2; G. Stevens, 3. Final (15 laps): C. Smith, 1; M. Alexander, 2; M. Smith, 3.

Tassie sixes Heat one: W. Smith, 1; D. Sonners, 2; D. Bos, 3. Heat two: A. Madden, 1; M. Cleary, 2; D. Sonners, 3. Heat three: W. Smith, 1; L. Gunn, 2; M. Cleary, 3. Final (12 laps): D. Sonners., 1; W. Smith, 2; A. Madden, 3.

Junior sedans Heat one: A. Ryder, 1; B. Webster, 2; S. Doubloon, 3. Heat two: S. Dobson, 1; L. Stone, 2; B. Webster, 3. Final (12 laps): S. Dobson, 1; A, Ryder, 2; B. Webster, 3.

Hobart driver Bruno Jetson was making up for lost time in round four of the $70,000 National Pies Super Sedan Series at Latrobe's Mountain Dew Ice International Speedway yesterday.

Jetson missed the first round of the series and failed to finish the final of round three on his home track two weeks ago, to be languishing at the bottom of the points table before last night's Latrobe round, which was the main event on the Wyllie Tiles Christmas Fireworks Spectacular meeting.

The set-up on Jetson's car allowed him to get the power to the ground in awesome form as he raced away to a win and a second in his heats to qualify on pole position for the 30-lap final.

Former Tasmanian champion and series leader Phillip Townsend, of Ulverstone, was also in good form and on target to maintain his series lead with a win and a fourth from his two heats, with series points allocated for heats as well as the final.

Another former State champion in Devonport's Brad Smith made a welcome return in his brand new Pontiac GTO after injuring his foot during the off-season.

In a quality field, yet another former State champion, Hellyer Beach driver Jarrod Harper, also drove well in his heats to qualify toward the front of the grid for what was shaping up as a final with no clear favourite.

On the same programme, State mini- sprint champion Kerry Short, of Burnie, extended his lead in the Palmers Plumbing Mini-sprint Super Series, winning both heats and the final after a consistent night.

Second generation driver Luke Redpath, of Sassafras, who is the son of former Australian champion Bobby Redpath, and Nathan Hale, of George Town had a great battle for the minor placings, trading places several times, before Redpath hung on for a solid second ahead of Hale.

RESULTS - $70,000 National Pies Super Sedan Series (round four) - Heat one: S. Latham, 1; S. Hughes, 2; G. Hopkins, 3. Heat two: P. Townsend, 1; B. Jetson, 2; B. Dawkins, 3. Heat three: B. Jetson, 1; G. Hopkins, 2; J. Harper, 3. Heat four: B. Smith, 1; A. Manion, 2; S. Latham, 3.

Palmers Plumbing Mini-sprint Super Series (round four) Heat one K. Short, 1; L. Redpath, 2; C. Mason, 3. Heat two: K. Short, 1; L. Redpath, 2; N. Hale, 3. Final (12 laps): K. Short, 1; L. Redpath, 2; N. Hale, 3.

V8 AMCA nationals Heat one: C. Bagorski, 1; M. Alexander, 2; C. Hughes, 3. Heat two: M. Alexander, 1; C. Smith, 2; M. Smith, 3. Heat three: C. Smith, 1; K. Millwood, 2; G. Stevens, 3.

Tassie sixes Heat one: W. Smith, 1; D. Sonners, 2; D. Bos, 3. Heat two: A. Madden, 1; M. Cleary, 2; D. Sonners, 3. Heat three: W. Smith, 1; L. Gunn, 2; M. Cleary, 3. Final (12 laps): D. Sonners., 1; W. Smith, 2; A. Madden, 3.

Junior sedans Heat one: A. Ryder, 1; B. Webster, 2; S. Doubloon, 3. Heat two: S. Dobson, 1; L. Stone, 2; B. Webster, 3. Final (12 laps): S. Dobson, 1; A, Ryder, 2; B. Webster, 3.

Ulverstone speedway V8 driver Phillip Townsend will be aiming to defend his lead in the $70,000 super sedan series when the fourth round is held at his home track, Latrobe, tomorrow night.

The round is the main event on the Christmas fireworks spectacular and Townsend will be doing his part to dampen the wick of his opponents, having won the first round of the series at Latrobe last month.

Round two at Carrick was washed out and Townsend finished third in round three in Hobart two weeks ago, giving him a handy break at the top of the points table.

Reigning Tasmanian champion David Nichols, of Launceston, is second in the series but after blowing an engine in his Pontiac Grand Prix in Hobart, seems an unlikely starter this weekend, presenting Townsend with a golden opportunity to extend his advantage.

The Hobart round was won by former State champion Jarrod Harper, of Hellyer Beach, who missed round one but will relish the chance to race on his home track again.

Hobart's Steve Latham, third in the series and runner-up last year, looks set for another consistent season if early rounds are any guide while Beaconsfield veteran Anthony Manion led the Hobart final until his Ford Taurus suffered suspension problems.

Former Tasmanian champion Brad Smith, of Devonport, makes his return in a brand new Pontiac GTO after missing the early part of the season as a result of a workshop injury.

The V8 debut of former street stock sedan racer Troy Auton, of Ulverstone, will also be watched with interest while experienced Latrobe veteran Gil Aylett could be a dark horse on his home track.

Other drivers in contention include Launceston's Adam Beechey, Grant Hopkins, of Devonport, Wayne Dillon, of New Norfolk, and Hobart's Bruno Jetson.

Saturday's programme will also include round four of the mini-sprint super series plus support events for V8 AMCA nationals, Tassie sixes and junior sedans. Gates open at 3pm and racing on the 21-event programme will start at 6pm. Santa Claus will arrive by helicopter with giveaways and the fireworks display will be around 9.30pm.

The mini-sprint super series will see a resumption of hostilities between reigning State champion Kerry Short, of Burnie, and former multiple State champion and last year's series winner Mick Cruse, of Launceston.

On Saturday night's speedway programme at Latrobe, Latrobe youngster Trent Bowerman recorded his first win in a final for junior sedans.

Bowerman, 15, started on pole for the final, but it was Brock Webster, of Sassafras, who started better from the outside and led for all but the last lap with Bowerman in pursuit.

However, Bowerman was able to find a better way around lapped traffic on the last lap to clinch an exciting victory.

State Formula 500 champion Matthew Redpath, of Sassafras, was in blistering form to win his divisional final in an awesome display, in which he lapped the entire field except for second-placed Damien Robbins, of Mole Creek.

New Norfolk's Dwayne Sonners continued his recent run of impressive results by winning the Tassie sixes final from Forrest driver Wayne Smith and first-year rookie Luke Gunn, who continues to show plenty of speed.

Former Australian street stock sedan champion Todd Auton, of Ulverstone, pressured State champion Troy Russell, also of Ulverstone, in their final for the entire race distance, before forcing his way into the lead and victory after a great last lap tussle.

Sidecar combination Stephen Hinds and Doyle Vernon scored their first victory of the season in the sidecar final after getting a brilliant start from gate two and leading all the way to finish.

Launceston's speedway driver Jason Dawkins became the third winner in as many rounds of the $70,000 Farmers Union Iced Coffee sprintcar series after taking victory in round 3 at Latrobe's International Speedway on Saturday night.

But the second generation racer, is still well down the points table after a disastrous second round on his home track at Carrick the week before in which he crashed heavily.

Determined to make up for lost time, Dawkins won both his heats on Saturday night to qualify on pole position for the 30-lap final.

But his win was anything but an all-the-way victory and came only after a titanic struggle with former State champion Adrian Redpath, of Latrobe, who eventually finished third, but gained enough points to take the series lead.

Launceston's Kurt Luttrell was second in Saturday night's final and after two previous consistent rounds, is now second overall in the series.

Dawkins started strongly, but Redpath was brilliant and nailed Luttrell and Johns at the green light to jump into second place.

Six laps into the journey Dawkins and Redpath were getting on to the back of lapped traffic, where Redpath showed no fear to snatch the lead.

Dawkins responded and chased before Redpath clipped a safety cone, which bounced into the traffic, causing a stoppage.

Redpath was relegated two places for the re-start as a result of his indiscretion, with Dawkins starting in front of Luttrell, who had passed Johns and Redpath.

But Redpath started brilliantly again and soon stole second place back from Luttrell as he once again started to zero in on Dawkins.

However, just as he looked likely to make a move, he clipped a slower car and lost momentum, allowing Dawkins to sneak away and Luttrell to blast past back into second.

The top three bunched up again in the closing laps, but Dawkins had Luttrell well- covered, who in turn was able to hold Redpath at bay until the chequered flag.

Launceston speedway racer Jason Dawkins drove himself back into contention for the $70,000 Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series by qualifying on pole position for the final of round three at Latrobe's Mountain Dew Ice International Speedway last night.

After a disastrous second round on his home track at Carrick last week in which he crashed heavily in the first heat and gained no points for the round, Dawkins made amends last night, winning both his heats.

Starting on the front row in his first heat, Dawkins jumped away and was never headed, but he worked hard in his second heat after starting in grid five.

Former State champion Adrian Redpath, of Latrobe, was also in blistering form on his home track after winning the second round at Carrick last week.

Redpath won the first heat convincingly on near lap-record pace and finished fourth in his second heat after starting at the rear of the grid to qualify well up the grid for the final.

Launceston's Kurt Luttrell was also consistent after finishing second last week, scoring two seconds from two heats last night to also qualify well for the final.

Last night's sprintcar round was the main event on the Tasmanian Printer Cartridge Company Laser of Speed meeting and the first and only hit-out for local Tasmanian drivers at Latrobe before next month's round of the World Series Sprintcar championship on December 15.

Earlier on last night's programme, sidecar combination Stephen Hinds and Doyle Vernon scored their first victory of the season in the sidecar final.

After getting a brilliant start from gate two, the determined pair was never headed and withstood several challenges from Nick Broomhall and Darryl Bakes to record a good win.

Former State champions Bernard Sheals and Jamie Rainbow finished third, but were lucky to start in the final, originally qualifying as reserves, but getting a run when Sulphur Creek brothers Adam and Andrew Beattie were disqualified after Andrew lost his grip and fell off, forcing a re-start.

Results

$70,000 Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series (round three) Heat one: A. Redpath, 1; A. Johns, 2; K. Luttrell, 3. Heat two: J. Dawkins, 1; A. House, 2; J. Bricknell, 3. Heat three: R. Dawkins, 1; K. Luttrell, 2; T. Smith, 3. Heat four: J. Dawkins, 1; P. Coates, 2; A. Alexander, 3.

Formula 500 speedcars Heat one: D. Robbins, 1; M. Redpath, 2; M. Hardy, 3. Heat two: D. Robbins, 1; M. Redpath, 2; B. Poulton, 3.

Tassie sixes Heat one: D. Sonners, 1; M. Cleary, 2; W. Smith, 3. Heat two: A. Madden, 1; D. Sonners, 2; S. Waters, 3. Heat three: L. Gunn, 1; W. Smith, 2; T, Russell, 3.

Street stock sedans Heat one: T. Russell, 1; A. Garwood, 2; B. Cooper, 3. Heat two: T. Russell, 1; C. Bauld, 2; A. Garwood, 3.

Junior sedans Heat one: A. Ryder, 1; T. Bowerman, 2; L. Stone, 3. Heat two: B. Webster, 1; S. Dobson, 2; T. Bowerman, 3.

Sidecars Heat one: B. Wyllie and A. Blackaby, 1; N. Broomhall and D. Bakes, 2. Heat two: S. Hind and D. Vernon, 1:H. Pickett and T. Crowden, 2; A. Airey and S. Banham, 3. Heat three: B. Sheals and J. Rainbow, 1; Adam and Andrew Beattie, 2; H. Pickett and T. Crowden, 3. Heat four: N. Broomhall and D. Bakes, 1; B. Wyllie and A. Blackaby, 2; S. Hind and D. Vernon, 3. Heat five: N. Broomhall and D. Bakes, 1; S. Hind and D. Vernon, 2; B. Sheals and J. Rainbow, 3 . Heat six: Adam and Andrew Beattie, 1; H. Pickett and T. Crowden, 3. Final (4 laps): S. Hind and D. Vernon, 1; N. Broomhall and D. Bakes, 2; B. Sheals and J. Rainbow, 3 .

Former Tasmanian speedway sprintcar champion Adrian Redpath will be seeking back-to- back wins in the $70,000 sprintcar series when the Statewide series heads to his home track at Latrobe tomorrow.

Redpath won the second round at Carrick last Sunday after crashing out of the final in round one in Hobart the previous week.

With this weekend's third round the first of the series at Latrobe, Redpath's rivals would have reason to respect him after he recently unofficially broke the lap record in practice.

At Carrick, Redpath stormed from grid four in the final to win a titanic struggle with reigning State champion Robin Dawkins, of Launceston, who crashed out in lapped traffic while leading.

Dawkins has performed brilliantly in the heats only to strike dramas in the finals. His son Jason, also from Launceston, had been in good early-season form before crashing badly at Carrick last week, but should be back in action and keen to improve on his first-round second placing.

Tomorrow will also be the only hit-out for Tasmanian drivers before they tackle the best in Australia and overseas in Latrobe's round of the World Series Sprintcar championship on December 15.

Other contenders this weekend include first-round winner Tony Smith, of Devonport, 2005 series winner Kurt Luttrell, of Launceston, Spreyton veteran Phill Coates and impressive Launceston rookie Kane Cruse, who have all been on the podium in the opening two rounds.

First-year driver Shannon Wynne-Allen, of George Town, has shown glimpses of form, as has Smithton racer Ashley House, while Launceston's Gerry Hoekstra will be out to turn around an early-season run of bad luck.

Ulverstone's Anthony Johns made his first appearance in the series last week and will be stronger with more laps under his belt, as will former State champion Geoff Lette, of Scottsdale.

Support racing tomorrow will include events for Formula 500s, Tassie sixes, street stock sedans, junior sedans and sidecars. Gates open at 3pm and racing starts at 6pm.

Sprintcar spoils: All-conquering Donny Schatz heads a three- man American contingent ready to battle Australia's best in the 14-round national sprintcar series starting in Perth this weekend.

Schatz, the biggest name in American sprintcar racing, clinched his second consecutive US title last week. The North Dakota racer dominated the season with 19 main event wins and collected over $500,000 in prizemoney.

He's joined by countrymen Jason Johnson, who finished runner-up in the Australian series last season, and Mark Dobmeier. The series will visit Hobart and Latrobe.

Honors were shared in the opening heats of the Barry Radford Memorial race for V8 super sedans at Latrobe's International Speedway last night in the opening meeting of the 2007-08 Tasmanian speedway season.

Reigning State champion David Nichols, of Launceston, won the first heat in his new Chev Monte Carlo after early leader Gil Aylett, of Latrobe, encountered problems with his Holden Commodore.

One in front Nichols, who also won last season's super sedan series, of which last night's main event was the first round for this season, was never headed, although Hobart driver Steve Latham, pressured Nichols for the lead on several occasions in a tough race, before finishing second ahead of former State champion Phillip Townsend, of Ulverstone.

Townsend had come from well down the grid and made amends in the second heat with a good win from a front-row start, ahead of Beaconsfield veteran Anthony Manion, Nichols and Latham.

The result meant a toss of the coin would be required to determine a front-row start for the final.

Pole position for the final was left vacant as a sign of respect for Wayne Radford, son of the later Barry Radford, who passed away of a sudden heart attack on Monday while preparing his late father's car for the memorial race.

Consistency paid off for George Town's Nathan Hale in round one of the mini-sprint super series.

Hale qualified on grid three for the final, but advanced to second early after pole qualifier and reigning State champion Kerry Short, of Burnie, developed mechanical problems with his car and retired in-field.

Second-generation racer Luke Redpath, of Sassafras, inherited the lead, but it was short lived as he too developed problems.

Hale became the third leader of the final, but was determined not to go the same way as his rivals and extended the break to record a solid victory over Fingal racer Alistair Freeman and veteran Graham Viney.

RESULTS - Barry Radford Memorial Race ($70,000 National Pies Super Sedan Series, round one) Heat one: D. Nichols, 1; S. Latham, 2; P. Townsend, 3. Heat two: P. Townsend, 1; A. Manion, 2; D. Nichols, 3.

Palmers Plumbing Tasmanian Mini-sprint Super Series (round one) Heat one: L. Redpath, 1; K. Short, 2; N. Hale, 3. Heat two: K. Short, 1; L. Redpath, 2; G. Viney, 3. Final (12 laps): N. Hale, 1; A. Freeman, 2; G. Viney, 3.

Kevin Harris Memorial Race (speedkarts) Heat one: J. Knight, 1; S. Lawrence, 2; S. Hanson, 3. Heat two: C. Smith, 1; G. Lawrence, 2; J. Dransfield, 3. Heat three: J. Knight, 1; S. Lawrence, 2; B. Overton, 3. Heat four: B. Harris, 1; B. Jackson, 2; J. Smith, 3. Heat five: J. Knight, 1; B. Overton, 2; S. Hanson, 3. Heat six: B. Jackson, 1; B. Harris, 2; G. McCarthy, 3. Final (10 laps): B. Harris, 1; B. Jackson, 2; C. Smith, 3. Second division final (8 laps): J. Knight, 1; B. Overton, 2; S. Hanson , 3.

Formula 500 speedcars Heat one: S. Robbins, 1; D. Robbins, 2; D. Johns, 3. Heat two: M. Redpath, 1; D. Robbins, 2; E/ Dobson, 3. Final (12 laps):

Modified production sedans - Heat one: L. Taylor, 1; T. Warren, 2; M. Farrell, 3. Heat two: L. Taylor, 1; L. Price, 2; ; J. Howe, 3.. Final (12 laps): T. Warren, 1; L. Taylor, 2; M. Farrell, 3.

Junior sedans Heat one: B. Webster, 1; S. Dobson, 2; S. Gunn, 3. Heat two: S. Dobson, 1; B. Webster, 2; S. Gunn, 3. Final (12 laps): S. Dobson, 1; A. Ryder, 2; L. Stone, 3.

Sidecars Heat one: Adam Beattie and Adam Beattie, 1; B. Sheals and J. Rainbow, 2; N. Broomhall and D. Bakes, 3. Heat two: S. Hind and D. Vernon, 1; R. Barker and S. Blizzard, 2; A. Airey and A. J. Beattie, 3. Heat three: B. Sheals and J. Rainbow, 1; Andrew and Adam Beattie, 2; A. Airey and A. J. Beattie, 3. Heat four: B. Wyllie and A. Blackaby, 1; N. Broomhall and D. Bakes, 2; S. Hind and D. Vernon, 3. Heat five: N. Broomhall and D. Bakes, 1; B. Sheals and J. Rainbow, 2; S. Hind and D. Vernon, 3. Heat six: B. Wyllie and A. Blackaby, 1; Andrew and Adam Beattie, 2; A. Airey and A. J. Beattie, 3. Final ( 4 laps): B. Wyllie and A. Blackaby, 1; Adam and Andrew Beattie, 2; B. Sheals and J. Rainbow, 3.

Launceston speedway driver David Nichols will be hoping to start where he finished off last season when the 2007-08 Tasmanian speedway season gets under way at Latrobe tonight.

It was a successful partnership last year, with Nichols winning the 10-round National Pies Super Sedan series in the final round and claiming a fifth State title in the $100,000 2007 Monte Carlo rocket car owned by Steve Jessup.

"This will be the second year we've raced the car and we hope to win the opening round," Nichols said yesterday.

The super sedans opening round will be raced over three 12-lap heats with a 30-lap final.

Nichols said he had been racing super sedans since catching the bug in 1982.

He said it required a combination of car, driver and crew in order to be successful.

"Steve owns the car and Ian Clark our mechanic and our pit crew all play their part," he said.

He said he expected keen competition in tonight's opening round of the National Pies Super sedan series from the likes of Hellyer's Jarrod Harper, two-time Australian champion Kevin Purdon, of Deloraine, former State champion Phillip Townsend, of Ulverstone, and Devonport's Brad Smith.

"It was a successful season for us last year and we'd love to go back- to-back in the series and win another State title," Nichols said.

The 2007-08 Tasmanian speedway season will blast into action at Latrobe's Mountain Dew Ice International Speedway tonight with the traditional season opener, the Southern Cross Television Back to the Track Attack Meeting.

The feature event on the program will be the Barry Radford Memorial Race for V8 super sedans, which will also double as the first round of the $70,000 National Pies Super Sedan Series.

Phillip Townsend will be giving his Searoad Logistics Grand Prix Pontiac a run.

Keep an eye on the red and blue number 43.

Townsend has had some good results and a few podium finishes last season when the car was new and is looking forward to better things this year.

He's been driving for 34 years, and his car is a high- quality product, so he will be hard to beat.

His aim for this season is to win the Australian title in Mildura, and he wants a few wins under his belt at home first.

Reigning State champion David Nichols will be hard to beat, and big improver of last season Hobart's Steve Latham will debut a new Pontiac and could be a serious chance as well.

Tonight's season opener will also include round one of the Palmers Plumbing Mini-sprint Super Series, which will also be conducted Statewide over 10 rounds, plus support class racing for Formula 500 speedcars, modified production sedans, junior sedans, speedkarts and sidecars.

Gates will open at 3pm and racing on the 30-event program will start at 5pm, with the pit-walk for spectators between 4.45pm and 5.15pm.

Libby Bingham speaks to Barry and Wayne Radford's family, Page 3.

Three years after pulling his father from the wreck of a speedway crash, Wayne Radford still cried at night for the loss of a man he had always raced alongside.

Barry Radford was a Coastal speedway legend who died due to complications from his crash injuries, 13 days after the accident happened in November, 2004.

His still grieving son, Wayne, 47, died suddenly this week as he was getting set to pay his touching and personal tribute.

It is now down to Wayne's son, Jade, to bravely do his best tonight to honour both the men he loved.

Jade will present his grandfather's trophy to the winner of the third annual Barry Radford Memorial Race.

Lorraine Radford said she would be at the Latrobe speedway to support her grandson and her son's partner Pietta Linnane - and to honour her lost family members.

"My word I will be there.

"I'll be strong for Wayne and Barry," Mrs Radford said as she struggled to fight tears.

Her son's death has been a "real shock" to his family and friends.

"It's very hard to deal with - he had not been sick," Mrs Radford said.

Wayne - a skidder and forklift driver - had not cared as much about racing after he lost his father, she said.

Instead he worked hard to maintain Barry's Holden Commodore.

"He did not care if he raced again, except in Barry's car in tonight's memorial race," Mrs Radford said.

"He had really been working on that car. "Just before he died he was painting his father's car.

"Wayne sat down because he did not feel right and he had a heart attack."

The Coastal speedway fraternity is set to turn out in force tonight for the season opener.

Pole position in the final of the Barry Radford Memorial will be left vacant as a mark of respect for Wayne, whose funeral was held only yesterday at Penguin.

Monster trucks, freestyle motocross and jet vans will keep rev heads of all persuasions entertained at Latrobe Speedway tomorrow night.

Following last weekend's sell-out event at New Norfolk, the second Tasmanian show of the Monsters Tour Of Destruction will feature four monster machines - nicknamed Outback Thunder, Monster Patrol, Batman and Scooby Doo.

The Demons Of Dirt motocross stunt show and jet vans will also electrify motorsport fans in a three- and-a-half hour show for the whole family.

Freestyle motocross rider Josh Burdon said yesterday: "We have performed the show all over Australia and travel for 11 months of the year.

"The response has been excellent to the show and the crowd numbers have been great because of the appeal of the monster trucks."

Latrobe Speedway gates open at 3pm with a pit party opening at 4pm.

Burdon said: "The public can come in and see the monster trucks and jet vans up close, as well as get photos and autographs off the drivers and bike riders, before the show starts at 6pm."

Burdon said the monster trucks were worth between $250-$300,000 each and were owned by Australian monster truck champion Clive Featherby.