Press Releases 2009/2010

Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
7 April 2010

Five national titles to see speedway season out

A total of five Australian speedway championships will be decided at Latrobe on Saturday at the Bendigo Bank Arena when the Coastal venue hosts the Australian Speedway Karting Championships at its final meeting of the 2009-2010 season.

The championship meeting will take the form of a daylight meeting, starting at 10.00 a.m., with a huge 37-event program going through until about 5.00 p.m.

The meeting has attracted a field of more than 60 drivers from all over Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia and championships will be decided in five classes, including modified clubman, standard clubman, outlaws, 125cc open and juniors.

Bendigo Bank Arena successfully hosted the Tasmanian titles on Good Friday, attracting a number of mainland drivers keen to gain some local track knowledge ahead of the nationals. The meeting also gave the locals some important practice against top quality mainland drivers, with the results proving the Tasmanians could hold their own against the best in the country.

Each class this Saturday will contest four eight-lap heats and a 15-lap final, with the modified clubman category attracting the biggest field, which will be split into three groups for heat racing.

Last week Richmond driver Laura Davidson created a small piece of Tasmanian speedway history when she became the first female driver to win the clubman modified title.
While she will be aiming to add a national title to it this weekend, her biggest challenges could come from NSW driver Nev Britton and former Tasmanian champion Cody Dransfield, of Devonport, who were both in top form last week as well.

Victorian, Rob Latta dominated the standard clubman Tasmanian title and will start favourite again this weekend, with his biggest dangers likely to be NSW driver David Carrigy and Launceston racer Sam Crack, who has sharpened his driving skills this speedway season also racing a sprintcar on several occasions in Tasmania.
Crack will also be aiming for double glory on Saturday and is also considered a contender in the outlaws category.

Devonport's Hayden McBain will be the one to beat in the 125 cc open championship, having added a Tasmanian title last weekend to the Victorian championship he won earlier in the season.
The main danger to him could come from within the Tasmanian ranks, with fellow Devonport driver Geoff Lawrence a chance after a second last week and fourth in Victoria, hoping to add a national title to his Victorian and Tasmanian championships in the 125 cc open category after a good win in the Tasmanian title last Friday.

In the junior division, Ulverstone youngster Jory Breitkopf has been the driver to beat in Tasmanian circles all season and capped off a great year last week by winning the Tasmanian junior championship.
A national title this weekend would undoubtedly be the icing on the cake for this talented youngster.
Breitkopf's biggest danger in the junior title will be reigning Australian champion Daniel Evans, from Victoria, who is sure to put up a fierce title defence.

 

 

 

 

Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
4 April 2010

Latham claims State V8 title on home track

Hobart V8 driver Steve Latham scored his first State title victory in premier speedway tin-top division on his home track at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway last night when he won the Tilford Group Tasmanian Super Sedan Championship.

A former State champion in the six-cylinder Tassie sixes category, Latham has been a leading V8 driver for several seasons after stepping up and last season won the prestigious National Pies Super Sedan Series. Last night's State title was also the final round of this season's series, with Latham finishing second overall after his win last night, but no doubt more elated with the Tasmanian championship victory.

Latham qualified on the front row for the 30-lap final with a win and a third in his heats, starting alongside top qualifier and former Australian champion Kevin Purton, of Deloraine, who won both his heats.
However, Latham started better and hit the lead on the opening lap, never to be headed for the entire 30-lap journey, although Purton paid him plenty of close attention in the opening 10 laps of the final.

Purton eventually made a mistake about half way through the final and allowed third-placed Ulverstone driver Jason McPherson to steal third place. As Latham started to ease away to a handy break, Purton continued to monster McPherson, who withstood all the challenges to take a well-deserved second place. Purton finished third ahead of defending State champion and National Pies Series leader David Nichols, of Launceston, with Devonport driver Grant Hopkins and Hobart's Tim Herbert the only others to finish in what was a tough final.

Nichols only had to finish the final to clinch the series after a strong second place behind Purton at Latrobe in Friday night's penultimate round of the series. 

Former State champion Jarrod Harper did not contest the State title after crashing at Latrobe on Friday night, damaging his car and suffering a suspected broken thumb.

On the same programme Hobart driver Kodie Madden ensured it was a top night for the locals, also taking out the Tasmanian Classic for Tassie sixes. Madden started on outside pole position in the final after a second and a third in his heats, but kept his best to last in the final, winning the marathon event from State champion Andrew Ryder, also of Hobart, who started on pole position in the final after a win and a second from his two heats.

New Norfolk youngster Luke Dillon continued his impressive improvement this season with a solid third to make it an all-Southern podium for the event rated as second only behind the State title for the six cylinder division.

On the support programme Lilydale driver Rodney Bassett caped off a consistent season by winning the V8 AMCA nationals final ahead of reigning State champion Corey Smith, of Ulverstone, and Devonport veteran Chris Breen.
In his final appearance in junior ranks, reigning State junior sedan champion Brock Webster, of Sassafras, farewelled the division in style with another win, one of many this season, in his final, this time beating home Hobart locals Brad Herbert and Josh Smith.

^{RESULTS -Tilford Group Tasmanian V8 Super Sedan Championship - Heat one: K Purton, 1; J McPherson, 2; D Nichols, 3. Heat two: K Purton, 1; J McPherson, 2; S Latham, 3. Heat three: S Latham, 1; A Beechey, 2; C Gallagher, 3. Final (30 laps): S Latham, 1; J McPherson, 2; K Purton 3.}

^{Tassie Sixes Tasmanian Classic - Heat one: D Triffett, 1; A Ryder, 2; K Madden, 3. Heat two: L Dillon, 1; L Wilson, 2; M Punshon, 3. Heat three: A Ryder, 1; K madden, 2; D Sonners, 3. Final (25 laps): K Madden, 1; A Ryder, 2; L Dillon, 3. V8 AMCA nationals - Heat one: J Smith, 1; C Smith, 2; J Richardson, 3. Heat two: D Brooks, 1; G Dillon, 2; J Smith, 3. Heat three: M Bellett, 1; R Bassett, 2; N Bellett, 3. Final (15 laps): R Bassett, 1; C Smith, 2; C Breen, 3. Junior sedans - Heat one: B Webster, 1; B Herbert, 2; J Smith, 3. Heat two: B Webster, 1; J Smith, 2; S Bond, 3. Final (10 laps): B Webster, 1; B Herbert, 2; J Smith, 3. Bombers - Heat one: M Hart, 1; J Knight, 2; C Devine, 3. Heat two: M Hart, 1; C Devine, 2; J Knight, 3. Final (12 laps): R Shaw, 1.}

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
3 April 2010

Dobson wins nail-biting series finale

Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson last night scored a thrilling victory in the prestigious Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series when the Bendigo Bank Arena at Latrobe hosted the final round as part of its big Essentially Mobile Grand Slam programme.

The evening also included the penultimate round of the National Pies Super Sedan Series, plus the time-honoured Street Stock Sedan Ironman Classic and the Tasmanian Speedkart Championships in four different classes.

The Farmers Union series finale was set for a much anticipated climax with series leader Jamie Bricknell, of Launceston, holding a slender five-point margin over Dobson before last night's encounter.
After four heats, the series was still in the balance with Bricknell increasing his lead to just eight points heading into the 30-lap final.
Appropriately Bricknell qualified on pole position with Dobson on his outside, meaning whoever won the race would also become the series champion.

Dobson started the stronger and led early, but Bricknell was starting to close in lapped traffic.
However, every time he got close, a stoppage, usually due to a minor incident further back in the pack, gave Dobson a clear track in front for the re-start, allowing him to again gain the ascendancy and record a well-deserved win.
Westbury veteran Malcolm Lee finished third in the final to wrap-up fourth in the series behind former State champion Tim Hutchins, of Sassafras, who did not start in last night's final after blowing en engine in one of his heats.

Reigning Tasmanian super sedan champion David Nichols increased his lead in the National Pies Super Sedan Series after a solid second in last night's penultimate round.
Nichols qualified well down on the grid for the final after handling problems in the heats, but got the set-up right in the final to finish second behind former Australian champion Kevin Purton, of Deloraine.
Purton qualified on outside pole position and trailed Hobart's Steve Latham and Launceston driver Sam Hughes for the first 13 laps.
Latham , who is currently second in the series, qualified on pole and looked set to bridge the gap to series leader Nichols.
However, Purton jumped from third to the lad in a great move, with Latham spinning shortly afterwards and being sent to the rear of the grid for the re-start.

Purton then came under challenge from Hughes and Ulverstone duo Jason McPherson and Phillip Townsend, with Nichols hard on their heels.
Nichols continued to chip away and took third from McPherson five laps from the finish, snatching second from Hughes on the last lap.

On the same programme, reigning State champion John Riley scored yet another come from behind victory in the Street Stock Sedan Ironman Classic, fast earning him the tag of the Bradbury of street stock sedan racing.
Riley qualified well down the field with polesitter and former Australian champion Todd Auton, of Ulverstone, leading the race by a handy margin until rear-end problems in his Ford Falcon forced him in-field.

Wynyard rookie Luke Williams then inherited the lead, but spun out, handing Riley, of Devonport, the opportunity to take the race by the throat. Riley battled on gamely to hold out Hobart due Steve Turner and Michael Zietzen to claim a hard-earned victory.

Earlier in the night Richmond's Laura Davidson became the first female driver to win a Tasmanian speedkart championship, scoring an exciting victory in the modified clubman final.
Davidson finished ahead of NSW driver Nev Britton, with former Tasmanian champion Cody Dransfield, of Devonport, finishing third.
Mainland drivers dominated the standard clubman final, won by Rob Latta, of NSW, ahead of Victorian driver Dan Carrigy, with Launceston's Sam Crack the best of the locals in third place.

Ulverstone driver Jory Breitkopf capped of a great season by winning the junior championship from NSW driver Aiden Corish and Devonport's Jayden Bryan. 

In the first running of the new 125cc open class State title it was Devonport's Hayden McBain who scored a well-deserved victory ahead of fellow Devonport driver Geoff Lawrence, with Hobart's James Mancey third.

RESULTS - Farmers Union Iced Coffee Series (Round 10) - Heat one: G Hoekstra, 1; J House, 2; J Bricknell, 3. Heat two: A Alexander, 1; J Redpath, 2; M Alexander, 3. Heat three: G Hoekstra, 1; J Wyllie, 2; M House, 3. Heat four: A Alexander, 1; J Redpath, 2; S Dobson, 3. Final (30 laps): S Dobson, 1; J Bricknell, 2; M Lee, 3. National Pies Super Sedan Series (round seven) - Heat one: P Townsend, 1; A Manion, 2; J McPherson, 3. Heat two: S Latham, 1; G Hopkins, 2; A Beechey, 3. Heat three: S Hughes, 1; K Purton, 2; D Nichols, 3. Final (30 laps): K Purton, 1; D Nichols, 2; S Hughes, 3. Monster Cookie Café Tasmanian Speedkart Championships (finals only) - Modified Clubman: L Davidson, 1; N Britton, 2; C Dransfield, 3. Standard Clubman: R Latta, 1; D Carrigy, 2; S Crack, 3. Juniors: J Breitkopf, 1; A Corrish, 2; J Bryan, 3. 125cc Open: H McBain, 1; G Lawrence, 2; J Mancey, 3. Street Stock Sedan Ironman Classic - Heat one: L Williams, 1; T Auton, 2; J Auton, 3. Heat two: T Auton, 1; B Waddington, 2; M Zeitzen, 3. Heat three: C Bauld,. 1; J Riley, 2; S Spencer, 3. Final (30 laps): J Riley, 1; S Turner, 2; M Zeitzen, 3. Formula 500s - Heat one: S Robbins, 1; D Peck, 2; B Whitchurch, 3. Heat two: S Robbins, 1; B Whitchurch, 2; D John, 3. Final (12 laps): S Robbins, 1; B Whitchurch, 2; D Peck, 3. Junior sedans - Heat one: B Webster, 1; J Taurian, 2; S Harvey, 3. Heat two: B Herbert, 1; S Harvey, 2; J Smith, 3. Final (10 laps): J Taurian, 1; B Herbert, 2; S Bond, 3.

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Bricknell, Nichols chasing double header glory

30 March 2010

Launceston speedway drivers Jamie Bricknell and David Nichols will be chasing double V8 glory at Latrobe and Hobart this weekend in two big nights of back to back action on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bricknell holds a slender lead in the Statewide Sprintcar Series with the final round at the Latrobe Speedway on Friday night, while Nichols will defend his Tasmanian Super Sedan Championship, with the event also doubling as the final round of the Statewide Super Sedan Series, which he also currently leads.

In another coincidence, both drivers will also be aiming to defend their series leads from Hobart drivers win what could shape up as two nights of North v South action on the clay.

Bricknell failed to finish the final in last week's penultimate round of the sprintcar series in a night packed with carnage at Carrick.
Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson finished second behind round winner and former State champion Jason Dawkins, of Launceston, and now only trails Bricknell by five points with up to 250 on offer on Friday night.
Another former State champion, Tim Hutchins, of Sassafras, was second before the Carrick round, but also failed to finish and has now slipped to third and needs to win and have both Bricknell and Dobson fail to finish at Latrobe to secure the series, effectively making it a two-way battle between the two young guns.
Dawkins was in awesome form last week at Carrick, and although not in series contention, could influence the final outcome.

On the same programme, the penultimate round of the Statewide super sedan series will act as a final hit-out and preview of the action to come in Hobart the following night when Nichols will be chasing an unprecedented seventh Tasmanian super sedan title and with it, victory in the series.

Nichols currently shares the record with the legendary late Neville Harper, with an other title tonight making him arguably the most successful sedan driver in Tasmanian speedway history.
But it will be no easy task in a talent field, including defending super sedan series champion Steve Latham, of Hobart.

Latham won the last round of the series, also in his home track, with Nichols second, closing the points gap and installing him as a real chance to snare both the title and the series, as can Nichols.
However, with Nichols and Latham the only real chances for the series, the remainder of the strong field will be aiming for State title glory.

Former State champion Jarrod Harper, of Hellyer Beach, will be keen to preserve his father's record by stopping Nichols and in the process claiming his own fourth State title.
Former Australian champion Kevin Purton, of Deloraine, former Tasmanian champion Phillip Townsend, of Ulverstone, fellow Ulverstone driver Jason McPherson, hard-charging Launceston duo Sam Hughes and Adam Beechey, and consistent Devonport driver Grant Hopkins have all shown glimpses of form this season and are not without a chance on Saturday night.

The Latrobe programme on Friday night will also include the Tasmanian Speedkart Championships and the Street Stock Sedan Ironman Marathon, with support class action from Formula 500s and junior sedans.

Gates will open at 2.00 p.m. and racing will start with heats of the State speedkart titles from 4.00 p.m.
The support programme in Hobart will include Formula 500s and junior sedans backing up for a double shift after Latrobe, plus V8 AMCA nationals, Tassie sixes, bombers and the return of the first caravan derby in Tasmania for a number of years.

Gates will open at 3.00 p.m. on Saturday, with the racing starting at 6.00 p.m.

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
22 March 2010

Blackwell completes Tassie modified double

Victorian speedway driver Andrew Blackwell added the Totally Workwear Tasmanian Modified Production Championship to the Australian title he won a week ago at Latrobe, when he blitzed the opposition at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway in Hobart last night.

The State title was one of three main events on the Totally Workwear Trifecta programme, which also included round eight of the Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series, won by Launceston's Jamie Bricknell, and round five of the National Pies Super Sedan Series, taken out by Hobart driver Steve Latham.

Blackwell was one of 29 mainland drivers who stayed over for an extra week in Tasmania after the Australian title at Latrobe, boosting the entry list for last night's Tasmanian championship to a record field.
With eight heats, the top 20 went through to the 30-lap final, with Blackwell and Queensland's Nathan McDonald equal top-qualifying after winning both their heats each.

McDonald started on pole position for the final, with Blackwell on the outside and for the first 10 laps looked as if he might go the distance.
However, the recently crowned Australian champion drive a superb race and forced an error from the leader approaching the half-way mark of the race to go to the front.

Once in the lead, Blackwell carved his way through the lapped traffic to open a handy gap, while McDonald came under threat from defending Tasmanian champion Mark Carlin, of Victoria, who won the title in a previous Tasmanian trip to Carrick last year, and former two-times Australian champion Greg Worling, of New South Wales.
McDonald was able to hold them out to finish second ahead of Carlin, Worling, NSW driver Quentin Clarke and Launceston's Trent Warren, not too far behind in sixth place as the best-placed Tasmanian driver.

Meanwhile, Jamie Bricknell extended his leads in the Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series after second-placed "Tornado" Tim Hutchins failed to finish the final after a crash which could ultimately cost him the series.
Hutchins, of Sassafras, was leading the final by a healthy margin just after the halfway mark of the race when he came into contact with a lapped car, sending his machine into a big rollover.

Bricknell was second at the time and inherited the lead, pulling away from Westbury veteran Malcolm Lee in the closing stages, with Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson third.

Earlier in the night, defending National Pies Super Sedan Series champion Steve Latham, of Hobart, scored a decisive win on his home track in round five in a great lead-in to the State title, to be also run at the same venue next month.

Latham is currently second in this season's series, with the victory allowing him to close the gap to series leader and State champion David Nichols, of Launceston, who finished a hard-charging second last night.
Latham qualified on pole position for the 30-lap final with two solid third placings from two extremely even heats as the only driver to manage two podiums.

Launceston driver Adam Beechey started on outside pole position for the final, but was unable to hold out Nichols, who edged his way through to second early in the race.
As the two leaders pulled away from the field, Beechey resisted several challenges to hang on for a hard fought third.

RESULTS -

^{Totally Workwear Tasmanian Modified Production Sedan Championship - Heat one: A Blackwell (Vic.), 1; Q Clarke (NSW), 2; N McDonald (Qld), 3. Heat two: J Purser (WA), 1; M Carlin (Vic.), 2; W Ramsdale (Vic.), 3. Heat three: N McDonald (Qld), 1; R Watts (NSW), 2; D Jacobi (NSW), 3. Heat four: R Burr (Vic.), 1; G Worling (NSW), 2; P Gray (Qld), 3. Heat five: A Blackwell (Vic.), 1; S McDonald (Qld), 2; M Clarke (NSW), 3. Heat six: N McDonald (Qld), 1; T Warren (Tas.), 2; D Jacobi (NSW), 3. Heat seven: G Worling (NSW), 1; A Russell (Tas.), 2; B Hucker (Vic.), 3. Heat eight: M Carlin (Vic.), 1; J Drew (Vic.), 2; R Watts, (NSW), 3. B-Main semi-final: T Barron (Qld), 1; W Ramsdale (Vic.), 2; J Alberni (Vic.), 3. Final (30 laps): A Blackwell (Vic.), 1; N McDonald (Qld), 2; M Carlin (Vic.), 3.}

Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series (round eight) - Heat one: M Alexander, 1; K Luttrell, 2; J Bricknell, 3. Heat two: T Hutchins, 1; J Bricknell, 2; M Lee, 3. Final (30 laps): J Bricknell, 1; M Lee, 2; S Dobson, 3.

National Pies Super Sedan Series (round five) - Heat one: K Purton, 1; D Nichols, 2; S Latham, 3. Heat two: A Beechey, 1; S Hughes, 2; S Latham, 3. Final (30 laps): S Latham, 1; D Nichols, 2; A Beechey, 3.

Street stock sedans - Heat one: M Zeitzen, 1; J Beasley, 2; M Smith, 3. Heat two: B Herbert, 1; J Taurian, 2; J Smith, 3. Heat three: M Zeitzen, 1; R McLeod, 2; B Cooper, 3. Final (15 laps): M Zeitzen, 1; J Beasley, 2; M Smith, 3.

Junior sedans - Heat one: B Webster, 1; J Taurian, 2; B Herbert, 3. Heat two: B Herbert, 1; J Taurian, 2; J Smith, 3. Final (10 laps): B Webster, 1; B Herbert, 2; J Taurian, 3.

Sidecars - Heat one: N Broomhall and D Bakes, 1; B Sheals and J Rainbow, 2; R Lockhart and B Mitchell, 3. Heat two: N Broomhall and D Bakes, 1; B Sheals and J Rainbow, 2; R Lockhart and B Mitchell, 3. Heat three: N Broomhall and D Bakes, 1; N Lockhart and B Mitchell, 2; B Sheals and J Rainbow, 3. Final (4 laps): B Sheals and J Rainbow, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2; R Lockhart and B Mitchell, 3.

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
^{Pictures by: Damon Kingshott}
18 March 2010

Mainland speedway invasion for triple treat

Almost 30 mainland speedway drivers will descend on the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway in Hobart on Saturday night for the Totally Workwear Trifecta meeting.

As the name suggests, the meeting will incorporate three featured events, plus a full support programme, with the main events of the night being the Totally Workwear Tasmanian Modified Production Sedan Championship, round eight of the Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series and round five of the National Pies Super Sedan Series.

The large contingent of interstate drivers for the State modified production sedan title is because of last weekend's Australian title at Latrobe, with most of the field extending their Tasmanian stay to take in the local championship as well.

Naturally, it's the best quality field ever seen for a Tasmanian championship.

The defending Tasmanian champion is in fact a Victorian, Mark Carlin, who also ventured across Bass Strait to win
the local crown at Carrick last season.
Carlin then went on to win the Australian title, but was unsuccessful in defending it at Latrobe last week after being crashed out in the final on only the second lap.
The former national champion will be fired up to make amends and with back to back Tassie titles.

The quality field also includes a number of former Australian champions and former or current State champions from all over Australia. Greg Worling, from NSW, is a former two-times Australian champion and will make his presence felt, along with reigning Queensland champion Shane McDonald.
McDonald's brother Nathan McDonald broke the lap record at Latrobe last week, but was also an early casualty in the final and will be keen to show southern fans his true ability.

Launceston drivers Brett Tatnell and former Tasmanian champion Craig Williams were the best performed of the Tasmanians, both finishing in the top eight in last week's national title final and have already proven they can go the distance in a tough title, to be decided over eight heats and a 30-lap final.

Support racing on Saturday night will include action from street stock sedans, junior sedans and sidecars, with gates open from 3.00 p.m. and racing starting at 4.45 p.m.

The Farmers Union Iced Coffee Series is poised in the balance with three rounds to go.
Launceston's Jamie Bricknell holds a narrow 10-point lead over former State champion "Tornado" Tim Hutchins, of Sassafras, who won the last round at Latrobe and is currently in red hot form.
Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson is third in the series and also closed the gap to Bricknell last week, keeping him within reach of the series lead.

Reigning Tasmanian champion David Nichols, of Launceston, leads the National Pies Super Sedan Series from Hobart's Steve Latham, and both will be looking for a strong performance with the State title to be held at the same next month.

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
15 March 2010

Victorian champ survives carnage to win national title

Victorian speedway champion Andrew Blackwell is now also an Australian champion after winning The Edgewater Hotel Australian Modified Production Sedan Championship at the Bendigo bank Arena at Latrobe last night.

Blackwell qualified on pole position for the 40-lap final and led from start to finish in a hectic final which saw only eight cars from a starting field of 20 finish the 40-lap main event.
In a frenzied start, the field had been reduced to just 13 cars after only two laps and multiple stoppages claiming a number of high profile chances, including defending national champion Mark Carlin, of Victoria, on lap two, and Latrobe lap record holder Nathan McDonald, of Queensland, on the opening lap.
With track conditions starting to slicken off near the inside, Blackwell made the unusual call of electing to start on outside pole position, which paid immediate dividends when he jumped away from second-top qualifier and eventual second placegetter Steve price, of Queensland.
Blackwell handled the conditions and the lapped traffic superbly, lapping all but the top six, although he slowed in the closing laps in traffic as Price started to bridge the gap.

Queenslander Aiden Raymont capped off a solid weekend with a good third in the championship, with Launceston driver Brett Tatnell, who was one of three Tasmanians to qualify for the final, finishing in seventh place as the best of the locals.

On the same programme, Ulverstone's Shaun Robbins took out a third consecutive Tasmanian Formula 500 Championship.
Robbins qualified on pole position for the 20-lap final after a dominant display in Friday night's opening heats, but was joined on the front row by Victorian driver Jessica Moulden, who was impressive in her heats last night, including beating Robbins in one race.

However, the defending champion had the answers in the final, although Moulden took the race up to him in the opening laps with a thrilling challenge, which came unglued when she made a minor mistake after four laps.
Robbins took advantage to establish his mark on the race and pulled away to win comfortably in the end, with Devonport driver Kristian Kelly, who started from grid four in the final, completing a consistent weekend with third place in the State championship.

On the same programme, former State champion "Tornado" Tim Hutchins, of Sassafras, staked his claim on the prestigious Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series with an impressive win in round seven.
Hutchins qualified on pole position for the 30-lap final with a win and a third from his two heats and was never headed from green light to chequered flag in a masterful drive.

Hutchins was second in the series before last night's round and significantly closed the gap to series leader Jamie Bricknell, of Launceston, as a result of last night's victory.
Bricknell finished well down the field after hitting the wall while running third later in the race.
Bricknell almost stopped, but was able to continue, but officials stopped the race to avoid an accident, sending Bricknell to the rear for the re-start.

Devonport rookie Marcus Alexander drove the race of his life to date to finish second after starting from grid six, holding out a more experienced and fast-finishing Ashley House, of Smithton, in the closing stages of the race. House started from grid 14 in what was a great effort, storming through field in the latter stages for a well-deserved podium finish.

Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson started on outside pole position for the final and took the race up to Tim Hutchins in the early stages, only to spin midway through the final.
Dobson was sent to the rear for the stoppage, but worked his way back through the field in the remaining laps to finish fourth just behind Ashley House and consolidate his third place in the series.

RESULTS -

^{The Edgewater Hotel Australian Modified Production Sedan Championship - Heat one: J Drew (Vic.), 1; M Carlin (Vic.), 2; D Etherden (Qld), 3. Heat two: P Gray (Qld), 1; W Ramsdale (Vic.), 2; A Raymont (Qld), 3. Heat three: T Mills (Vic.), 1; M Clarke (NSW), 2; D Forrest (Vic.), 3. Heat four: G Pagel (Qld), 1; M Hawson (Vic.), (lap record 16.21 secs), 2; G West (Vic.), 3. Heat five: T Warren (Tas.), 1; C Williams (Tas.), 2; N McDonald (Qld), (lap record, 15.77 secs), 3. Heat six: T Brown (SA), 1; S McDonald (Qld), 2; R Watts (NSW), 3. Heat seven: A Raymont (Qld), 1; A Blackwell (Vic.), 2; N McDonald . Heat eight: M Carlin (Vic.), 1; R Burr (Vic.), 2; J Purser (WA), 3. Heat nine: S Price (Qld), 1; M Clarke (NSW), 2; C Williams (Tas.), 3. Heat 10: P McCarthy (Vic.), 1; A Wilson (Vic.), 2; G West (Vic), 3. Heat 11: A Russell (Tas.), 1; A Mortimer (WA), 2; M Hawson (Vic.), 3. Heat 12: N McDonald (Qld), 1; A Wilson (Vic.), 2; T Mills (Vic.), 3). Heat 13: S McDonald (Qld), 1; A Barron (Qld), 2; T Warren (Tas.), 3. Heat 14: A Blackwell (Tas.), 1; W Ramsdale (Vic.), 2; G West (Vic.), 3. Heat 15: G Worling (NSW), 1; G Pagel (Qld), 2; S Price (Qld), 3. Heat 16: W Ramsdale (Vic.), 1; A Barron (Qld), 2; A Wilson (Vic.), 3. Heat 17: A Russell (Tas.), 1; B Hucker (Vic.), 2; D Jacobi (NSW), 3. Heat 18: G Worling (NSW), 1; A Blackwell (Vic. ), 2; A Raymont (Qld), 3. Heat 19: S Price (Qld), 1; J Drew (Vic.), 2; N McDonald (Qld), 3. Heat 20: D Grother (Qld), 1; Q Clarke (Vic.), 2; F Verhoeven (Vic.), 3. C-Main semi-final: P McCarthy (Vic.), 1; J Marston (Tas.), 2; J Purser (WA), 3. B-Main semi-final: M Clarke (Vic.), 1; B Tatnell (Tas.), 2; T Brown (SA), 3. Final (40 laps): A Blackwell (Vic.), 1; S Price (Qld), 2; A Raymont (Qld), 3.}

Tasmanian Lightning Sprint Championship (Friday night): M Cruse, 1; B Pitt, 2; N Hale, 3.
Lightning sprints (non-championship, Friday night) - Heat one: N Hale, 1; M Cruse, 2; M Freeman, 3. Heat two: M Cruse, 1; N Hale, 2; B Pitt, 3. Final (10 laps): N Hale, 1; M Cruse, 2; D Williams, 3.

Tasmanian Formula 500 Championship - Heat one: S Robbins, 1; C Smith, 2; J Moulden, 3. Heat two: S Robbins, 1; K Kelly, 2; B Whitchurch, 3. Heat three: J Moulden, 1; M Kelly, 2; B Whitchurch, 3. Heat four: B Whitchurch, 1; M Kelly, 2; C Kelly, 3. Heat five: J Moulden, 1; S Robbins, 2; K Kelly, 3. Heat six: S Robbins, 1; J Moulden, 2; J Lee, 3. Final (20 laps): S Robbins, 1; J Moulden, 2; K Kelly, 3.

Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series (round seven) - Heat one: S Dobson, 1; G Hoekstra, 2; T Hutchins, 3. Heat two: J Dawkins, 1; S Wynne-Allen, 2; M Alexander, 3. Heat three: T Hutchins, 1; J Bricknell, 2; M Lee, 3. Final (30 laps): T Hutchins, 1; M Alexander, 2; A House, 3.

V 8 AMCA Nationals (Friday night) - Heat one: R Bassett, 1; A Millwood, 2; C Smith, 3. Heat two: E Stuart, 1; C Bagorski, 2; A Millwood, 3. Heat three: C Smith, 1; M Bellett, 2; C Bagorski, 3. Final (12 laps): C Smith, 1; C Bagorski, 2; R Bassett, 3.

Tassie sixes - Heat one: L Wilson, 1; S Walters, 2; D Sonners, 3. Heat two: D Sonners, 1; S Wells, 2; L Wilson, 3. Final (12 laps): D Sonners, 1; S Wells, 2; L Wilson, 3.

Street stock sedans - Heat one: T Auton, 1; J Riley, 2; M Templar, 3. Heat two: S Turner, 1; T Auton, 2; C Bauld, 3. Heat three: B Waddington, 1; J Riley, 2; C Bauld, 3. Final (12 laps): T Auton, 1; B Waddington, 2; S Turner, 3.

Sidecars - Heat one: B Sheals and J Rainbow, 1. Heat two: B Sheals and J Rainbow, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2; R Barker and G Bourke, 3. Heat three: R Barker and G Bourke, 1; R Barker and G Bourke, 2. Final (4 laps): B Sheals and J Rainbow, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2; R Barker and G Bourke, 3.

Speedkarts (Friday night) - Heat one: G Lawrence, 1; C Dransfield, 2; C Harper, 3. Heat C Smith, 1; Heat two: Jory Breitkopf, 1; M Bryan, 2; Bianca Bown, 3. Heat three: C Dransfield, 1; Joe Breitkopf, 2; C Harper, 3. Heat four: J Bryan, 1; Jory Breitkopf, 2; M Bryan, 3. Second division final (8 laps): Jory Brietkopf, 1; Bianca Bown, B Tyler, 3. Final (8 laps): C Dransfield, 1; G Lawrence, 2; C Harper, 3.

Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
10 March 2010

Speedway titles galore at Latrobe

Two Tasmanian titles and an Australian speedway championship will be held at the Bendigo Bank Arena at Latrobe this Friday night in what promises to be a smorgasbord of action.

The Coastal circuit will play host to The Edgewater Hotel Australian Modified production Sedan Championship, plus the Tasmanian State titles in lightning sprint and Formula 500 divisions.

As if that wasn't enough to whet the appetite of any keen speedway fan, Saturday night's programme also includes round seven of the prestigious Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series.
A total of 15 heats for the modified production sedan championship will be held on Friday night, plus the Tasmanian Lightning Sprint Championship, three heats of the Tasmanian Formula 500 championship and support racing from V8 AMCA nationals and speedkarts.
Gates will open at 3.00 p.m. and racing will start at 6.00 p.m.

Saturday night will see five more heats of the modified production sedan title, plus three finals, three more heats and the final of the Tasmanian F500 title, three heats and a final for the Farmers Union Series round for the sprintcars, plus support racing for Tassie sixes, street stock sedans and sidecars.
Gates will again open at 3.00 p.m. and racing will start at 5.00 p.m.

Modified production sedan racing is ranked second only in sedan racing to V8 super sedans and as such is the country's second most prestigious sedan class, consequently attracting a record field for a national title in Tasmania, with 54 entries, including 42 from the mainland in what will be a massive Ford v Holden battle.
Scrutineering will be held on Thursday and official practice from 7-9.00 p.m. will be free for spectators.

Leading the interstate charge in a star-studded field will be reigning Australian champion Mark Carlin, from Victoria, who is also the current Tasmanian champion, after having made a successful Bass Strait raid to Carrick last season and with a new engine recently fitted to his Ford Falcon, Carlin will be hoping for another successful Tasmanian trip this weekend.

But Carlin is only one of a number of Victorians in with a strong chance in an extremely open title, with the Vic contingent also including 2006 national champion Justin Drew, current Victorian champion Andrew Blackwell and two-times and current South Australian champion Bryan Galley.

But the chances won't just be limited to the Vics, with a strong entry from Queensland, including former two-times Australian champion and reigning Queensland champion Todd Doyle.
Joining him will former Queensland champions Shane McDonald, his brother Nathan McDonald and former Queensland champion Aidan Raymont.
Former Australian champion Greg Worling, of NSW, has also entered, along with former West Australian champions John Purser and Allan Mortimer.

But the locals are not without a chance either.
Launceston's Brett Tatnell, has been the local driver to beat this season and could surprise a few of the more-fancied drivers, while former six-times Tasmanian champion Craig Williams, of Launceston, will also put up a fight, along with former two-times Tasmanian champion Andy Russell, of Hobart, and former champion Barry Youl, of Perth.
Russell debuted a new car at Carrick on Sunday night, but could be under-prepared after an engine fire set back his plans.

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
Pictures by: Damon Kingshott
1 March, 2010

Masters Disaster, washed out at Latrobe

Tasmania's richest speedway sprintcar event ended with a fizz rather than a bang at the Bendigo Bank Arena at Latrobe last night when rain curtailed the $30,000 Murcott's Caltex Sprintcar Masters before the final could be run.

After eight heats over two nights, Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson had top qualified and was on target to snare pole position for the lucrative event.

Dobson scored two wins and a third in his three heats on Friday night and backed up with a conservative fifth in his final run last night and was all set to compete in the dash for the top six qualifiers when a heavy shower soaked the track.
Officials reluctantly were forced to cancel the remainder of the meeting, as the conditions had become unsafe to race, depriving fans and drivers of what would have surely been a closely fought final.
Although Dobson had top qualified, the event was evenly poised with a number of drivers showing enough form over both nights to suggest they would be serious contenders for the final.

Other drivers to qualify well besides Dobson included defending masters champion and former four-times State champion Adrian Redpath, of Latrobe, who was fourth on points after Friday night and won his final heat last night in a powerful drive.
Launceston young gun Jamie Bricknell started the night in third place after a solid run on Friday and added more valuable points with a fourth in his heat last night.
Fellow Launceston driver Kurt Luttrell, sixth after Friday night was a solid second in Redpath's heat, while former State champion "Tornado" Tim Hutchins, of Sassafras, was fifth before claiming third in the same heat last night to consolidate his position.
Former State champion Jason Dawkins, of Launceston, was equal seventh on points after Friday night, placing third in his heat last night to also remain well inside the top 10.

 

The weekend programme also included the Tasmanian Lightning Sprint Championship, which was also halted before the final.
All four heats of the title were completed and the final will be run first-up, with no additional heats, at the next Latrobe meeting on March 12.
After Friday night's three heats and one more last night, Longford driver Bruce had qualified on pole position for the final, adding a second placing to his two heat wins from Friday night.
Second-generation George Town driver Nathan Hale also drove consistently in his heats to finish with two wins and a third, to join Pitt on the front row in a fortnight's time.
Mitchell Freeman, of Fingal, will start on grid three after also placing in all his three heats, while 10-times defending State champion Mick Cruse, of Launceston, will start at the back of the field.
Cruse only finished one of his heats all weekend after encountering fuel problems in his car on Friday night.
In last night's only heat, his car again appeared underpowered as he battled for third place with fellow Launceston driver Jacob Krushka.
The pair tangled mid-race, with Cruse sustaining steering damage and failing to finish.
The wash-out has come as a blessing in disguise for the veteran, who now has two weeks to sort out his problems, but he will still face a tough task starting the final from the rear.

While one State title was washed-out last night, another one was decided with Devonport team Brett Wyllie and Andrew Blackaby taking out the NG Upholstery Tasmanian Sidecar Championship.
It was their fourth successive State championship as a team and Wyllie's 10th, having won one as a passenger and nine as a rider.
It was also an emotional victory, particularly for Blackaby, whose mother passed away recently, with the passenger dedicating the win to her memory during the presentation ceremony which followed.
But the defending champions were never in doubt in the final and started well from gate two to jump ahead of top qualifiers and former State champions Bernard Sheals and Jamie Rainbow.
Sheals and Rainbow soon came under pressure from Penguin brothers Adam and Andrew Beattie in an entertaining battle which saw the teams trade places several timers.
Unfortunately, not all of it was within the rules and after the Beattie brothers crossed the line in second place, officials disqualified them, elevating Sheals and Rainbow to second and fourth-placed Nick Broomhall and Darryl Bakes to third.

Street Stock Winner - Todd Auton

 

^{RESULTS -}

$30,000 Murcott's Caltex Sprintcar Masters - Heat one: J House, 1; M House, 2; J Dawkins, 3. Heat two: S Dobson, 1; G Hoekstra, 2; C House, 3. Heat three: J Bricknell, 1; D Murcott, 2; M Lee, 3. Heat four: A Redpath, 1; T Hutchins, 2; S Dobson, 3. Heat five: G Hoekstra, 1; T Austin, 2; T Hutchins, 3. Heat six: S Dobson, 1; J Bricknell, 2; A Alexander, 3. Heat seven: J Redpath, 1; M Lee, 2; J Dawkins, 3. Heat eight: A Redpath, 1; K Luttrell, 2; J Bricknell, 3.

Tasmanian Lightning Sprint Championship - Heat one: N Hingston, 1; B Pitt, 2; M Freeman, 3. Heat two: N Hale, 1; M Cruse, 2; M Freeman, 3. Heat three: B Pitt, 1; G Henri, 2; N Hale, 3. Heat four: N Hale, 1; B Pitt, 2; M Freeman, 3.

NG Upholstery Tasmanian Sidecar Championship (continued) - Heat one: Adam and Andrew Beattie, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2. Heat two: Adam and Andrew Beattie, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2; B Wyllie and Blackaby, 3. Heat three: B Sheals and J Rainbow, 1; R barker and G Bourke, 2; Adam and Andrew Beattie, 3. Heat four: B Sheals and J Rainbow, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2; R Barker and G Bourke, 3. Heat five: B Wyllie and A Blackaby, 1; Adam and Andrew Beattie, 2. Heat six: B Wyllie and A Blackaby, 1; R Barker and G Bourke, 2; B Sheals and J Rainbow, 3. Heat seven: B Sheals and J Rainbow, 1; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 2; Adam and Andrew Beattie, 3. Final ( 4 laps): B Wyllie and A Blackaby, 1; B Sheals and J Rainbow, 2; N Broomhall and D Bakes, 3.

V8 AMCA nationals (Friday night only) - Heat one: C Smith, 1; C O'Connor, 2; E Stuart, 3. Heat two: C Bagorski, 1; C Smith, 2; C O'Connor, 3. Heat three: E Stuart, 1; M Graham, 2; M Bellett, 3. Final (12 laps): C Smith, 1; C O'Connor, 2; M Graham, 3.

Street stock sedans (Friday night) - Heat one: T Auton, 1; L Gray, 2; B Waddington, 3. Heat two: M Templar, 1; B Waddington, 2; B Cooper, 3. Heat three: T Auton, 1; C Bauld, 2; J Riley, 3. Final (12 laps): T Auton, 1; B Waddington, 2; M Templar, 3.
Street stock sedans (Saturday night) - Heat one: L Williams, 1; M Templar, 2; T Russell, 3.

Junior sedans - Heat one: B Webster, 1; B Herbert, 2; J Taurian, 3.

Bombers - Heat one: R Shaw, 1; M Hart, 2; J Knight, 3. Heat two: C Smith, 1; R Shaw, 2; J Knight, 3.

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
27 Feb 2010

Richest sprintcar prize up for grabs at Latrobe

Tasmania's richest speedway sprintcar event will be staged at the Bendigo Bank Arena at Latrobe this Friday and Saturday night when the State's top drivers do battle for the Murcott's Caltex Sprintcar Masters.
The Masters will be decided over six heats on Friday night, with four more heats and a 30-lap final for the top 18 qualifiers on Saturday night.
The two-night programme will also feature the Tasmanian Lightning Sprint Championship, with support events on Friday night for V8 AMCA nationals, street stock sedans and sidecars.
Saturday night's support programme will include street stock sedans and sidecars back for a double stint, plus modified production sedans, Tassie sixes, junior sedans and bombers.
The State title for lightning sprints will be decided over three heats on Friday and one heat and a final on Saturday.
Gates will open at 3.00 p.m. on both days, with racing starting at 6.00 p.m. on Friday night and 5.00 p.m. on Saturday.

The field for the $30,000 main event will include former four-times Tasmanian champion David Murcott, who will attempt to win the event sponsored by his father's business.
Murcott left Tasmania 11 years ago and has raced all over Australia, but surprisingly had not driven in his father's event.
Based in Melbourne, but driving for a Queensland-based team this year, the former Devonport racer is relishing the opportunity to return to his former home track.
But despite his obvious talent, Murcott won't be shown any favours by the locals and can expect a tough battle.
Former Tasmanian champion "Tornado" Tim Hutchins, fresh from victory in Hobart last weekend, will be aiming to string back to back Latrobe wins together, having also won at the Coastal venue last month.
Other strong contenders could include newly-crowned Tasmanian champion Jason Redpath, of Moriarty, and his equally talented brother and former four-times champion Adrian Redpath, of Latrobe.
Launceston's Jamie Bricknell is currently leading the Statewide Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series and after running a strong second to Hutchins in Hobart last week will also be a contender.
Exciting Hobart teenager Shaun Dobson seems to shine in the big occasions and will make his presence felt his weekend, as will former State champion Jason Dawkins and consistent hard charger Kurt Luttrell, both of Launceston.

Another Launceston driver, Mick Cruse, will be aiming for an amazing 11th State title when he lines-up in the lightning sprint Tasmanian championship.
Cruse's form already this season indicates an 11th title is a strong chance and he will start a hot favourite.
However, should Cruse fail to finish for any reason, the title will be up for grabs with several podium chances including George Town's Nathan Hale, Sassafras driver Luke Redpath and Longford's Bruce Pitt.

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
21 Feb 2010
^{Photography by: Damon Kingshott}

"Tornado" storms to sprintcar stampede glory

Former Tasmanian sprintcar champion "Tornado" Tim Hutchins has stormed back into contention for the Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series with an impressive win in the sixth round, the Wise Employment Sprintcar Stampede at the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway in Hobart last night.
Hutchins, of Sassafras, was second in the series heading into the stampede, with his victory considerably closing the gap to series leader Jamie Bricknell, of Launceston, who finished second last night.
In difficult dry, dusty and slick track conditions, the two lead-up heats proved very even and unpredictable, with six different placegetters scoring.
Hutchins was the most consistent, winning one heat and finishing fifth in his other to claim pole position for the 30-lap final, with Bricknell joining him on the front row for the decider.
Devonport rookie Marcus Alexander continued his solid debut season qualifying on grid three alongside former State champion Jason Dawkins, of Launceston, who was following up from a strong third in the State championship a week earlier.

However, Hutchins jumped into an immediate lead and on a track which offered few passing opportunities, he led Bricknell for the entire 30-laps.
Hutchins established a handy break by the halfway mark, but a determined Bricknell started to regain ground in the closing stages.
With two laps to go, Bricknell challenged unsuccessfully for the lead, which seemed to spur Hutchins on to fight back in the final laps to take a well-earned victory.
Dawkins finished third after an early battle with Alexander, with the Devonport driver eventually finishing fifth.

On the same programme, reigning Tasmanian Formula 500 champion Shaun Robbins was too strong for the field in the Ken McKinnell Memorial Southern Classic with a powerful display in difficult conditions.
It was Robbins' second successive victory in the classic, which was held for the first time last season and an indicator he will be hard to beat when he defends his State title in coming weeks.
Qualifying on pole position for the 12-lap final, Robbins led from start to finish to win from Devonport duo Kristian Kelly and Curt Smith.
Hobart's Emma Dobson qualified alongside Robbins on the front row and held second for half race distance, before she started to struggle with the conditions.
Kelly kept his cool in third and passed Dobson, who spun out several laps later and retired in-field.

In other events on the support programme Ulverstone father and son combination Joe and Jory Breitkopf made it a family double in the speedkart finals.
Joe qualified on pole position for the senior final and led from start to finish to win from Richmond's Laura Davidson and Hayden McBain, of Devonport.
Jory started from grid three in the junior final, but hit the lead early to win from Devonport drivers Marcus Bryan and Bianca Boun.
The modified production sedan final was won by Launceston's Brett Tatnell, continuing his impressive run so far this season, while Hobart's Michael Zietzen was awarded the victory in a rugged street stock sedan final after Stuart Turner, who crossed the line first, was relegated to third by officials.
State junior sedan champion Brock Webster, of Sassafras, continued his almost unbeaten record this season with yet another dominant victory in his final, while Kodie Madden won a tight Tassie sixes final from fellow Hobart driver Dwayne Sonners and Chris Smith proved a surprise winner in a depleted bombers final.

RESULTS -

^{Wise Employment Sprintcar Stampede (Farmers Union Iced Coffee Sprintcar Series, round six) - Heat one: T Hutchins, 1; M Lee, 2; T Austin, 3. Heat two: M Alexander, 1; J Dawkins, 2; J Bricknell, 3. Final (30 laps): T Hutchins, 1; J Bricknell, 2; J Dawkins, 3.}

Ken McKinnell Memorial Southern Classic (Formula 500s) - Heat one: E Dobson, 1; S Robbins, 2; B Whitchurch, 3. Heat two: S Robbins, 1; K Kelly, 2; D Peck, 3. Final (12 laps): S Robbins, 1; K Kelly, 2; C Smith, 3.

Modified production sedans - Heat one: B Tatnell, 1; J Marston, 2; J Howe, 3. Heat two: J Howe, 1; D Wise, 2; B Tatnell, 3. Final (12 laps): B Tatnell, 1; J Howe, 2; J Marston, 3.

Tassie sixes - Heat one: A Ryder, 1; D Graham, 2; K Madden, 3. Heat two: K Madden, 1; D Graham, 2; D Sonners, 3. Final (12 laps): K Madden, 1; A Ryder, 2; D Sonners, 3.

Street stock sedans - Heat one: S Turner, 1; D Manser, 2; M Zetizen, 3. Heat two: A Lane, 1; M Rowlands, 2; S Turner, 3. Final (12 laps): M Zeitzen, 1; M Rowlands, 2; S Turner, 3.

Junior sedans - Heat one: B Webster, 1; J Taurian, 2; T Herbert, 3. Heat two: B Webster, 1; B Herbert, 2; H Medcraft, 3. Final (12 laps): B Webster, 1; J Taurian, 2; S Harvey, 3.

Bombers - Heat one: S Devine, 1; J Knight, 2; M Hart, 3. Heat two: J Knight, 1; S Devine, 2; M Hart, 3. Final (10 laps): C Smith, 1; J Knight, 2; S Devine, 3.

Speedkarts - Heat one: Joe Breitkopf, 1; C Abel, 2; G Lawrence, 3. Heat two: Jory Breitkopf, 1; M Bryan, 2; Ben Boun, 3. Heat three: H McBain, 1; Joe Breitkopf, 2; C Harper, 3. Heat four: Ben Boun, 1; M Bryan, 2; Jory Breitkopf,. 3. Heat five: L Davidson, 1; J Collins, 2; J McLeod, 3. Heat six: L Davidson, 1; C Harper, 2; H McBain, 3. Heat seven: Jory Breitkopf, 1; J Bryan, 2; Bianca Boun, 3. Heat eight: H McBain, 1; J McLeod, 2; L Davidson, 3. Second division final (8 laps): Jory Breitkopf, 1; M Bryan, 2; Bianca Boun, 3. Final (10 laps): Joe Breitkopf, 1; L Davidson, 2; H McBain, 3.

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
10 Feb 2010
^{Photography by: Damon Kingshott}

Kane is the V8 Grand National master

Former Hobart driver and reigning Australian V8 super sedan champion Darren Kane, of Queensland, showed a clean pair of heels to the best drivers in the country on Sunday night, winning the Mountain Dew Ice Tasmanian Grand National for a third time.
The event is Tasmania's longest running speedway feature event and Kane now joins an elite group of drivers, becoming only the fourth one to win it three or more times.On his former home track, Kane was in control from the outset of Sunday night's final, despite being the second top qualifier after two nights of racing and 10 heats in the lead-up.

Top qualifier was fellow Queenslander Matt Pascoe, who was bumped to the outside of the front row for the 50-lap final after Kane defeated him in the pre-final pole shuffle to start from the coveted number one grid spot.
At the green light, Kane jumped away to an instant lead and was never headed for the entire 50 laps as he pulled away from the field to alp all but the top five cars in one of the most stunning drives ever seen at the Hobart track. Kane was in complete control and was able to slot his car at will into gaps in the lapped traffic, leaving former Australian and state champions in his wake.
Top qualifier Pascoe slipped back in the early stages and struggled to eventually finish fifth.
Second home, but almost half a lap behind Kane was NSW veteran Tony Barklimore, who started from grid eight in the final and had a titanic struggle for most of the race with fellow NSW driver Lachlan Onley and former two-times Australian champion Jamie McHugh, of Queensland, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.
McHugh finished just ahead of Kane on the track as the last driver on the lead lap, with Kane lapping everyone else, including former three-times Australian champion Mick Nicola, of Victoria.

 

On the same two-day programme, Hobart teenager Andrew Ryder successfully defended his State Tassie sixes title on Saturday night. Ryder qualified on outside pole position for the 30-lap final and jumped top qualifier Sam Gunn, also a Hobart teenager, at the start. Ryder, Gunn and Kodie Madden all battled for position early, with title contender Dwayne Sonners, who had two drama-packed heats, starting from grid 16 to storm through the field and tack onto the leading trio after 16 laps.
However, Sonners' charge was short-lived when he punctured and retired from the race four laps later.
A few laps later Gunn tangled with Ryder whilst challenging for the lead, causing a stoppage, with officials sending him to the rear of the grid for the re-start.
Ryder continued to battle with Madden, but held out his more experienced rival for a good win, with Gunn charging back through the field again to finish third in a torrid final.

Sunday night's programme also included racing for the Tassie sixes in non-championship mode, with Sam Gunn gaining some consolation for the previous night by winning the final ahead of Noel Russell and Luke Dillon, with Andrew Ryder unable to start in the final after damaging the rear end of his car in a heat.
Sunday night's street stock sedan final was a case of survival of the fittest with Andrew Pare winning from Michael Zietzen and Andrew Lane, while it was a similar story in the bombers final, where reigning State champion Josh Knight led home Chris Devine and Rob Shaw.

Hobart youngster Brad Herbert broke through for his first victory in a final in the junior sedan division final, beating home reigning State champion Brock Webster, of Sassafras, with Launceston's Jacob Taurian third.
The sidecar final was won by reigning State champions Brett Wyllie and Andrew Blackaby, of Devonport, beating fellow Coastal teams Nick Broomhall and Darryl Bakes, and Richard Barker and Andrew Beattie.

 

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Press Release by: Martin Agatyn
Tas-Link Media Service
4 Feb 2010
^{Photography by: Damon Kingshott}

Speedway V8s head to Hobart for grand prestige

V8 drivers from all over Australia will converge on the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway in Hobart this weekend to contest Tasmania's longest running speedway race, the Mountain Dew Ice Tasmanian Grand National on Saturday and Sunday night.
A field worthy of an Australian championship will include the current national champion, three previous national champions and seven different drivers who have won one or more State championships in various parts of the country.
Since the first Tasmanian Grand National in 1971, the calibre of drivers who have won t