Is it Speedway or Sprintcar City?

By Phil Michell

 South Australian Sprintcar fans are set for a real treat next summer with Wendy Turner programming 13 nights of competition for the winged warriors at Speedway City. The schedule includes two rounds of the 20^th Anniversary World Series Sprintcars tour, the third running of the Australian Sprintcar Nationals and of course the prestigious Australian Sprintcar Masters in early November.

In addition to the major events the calendar also includes the return of several club meetings that will provide the opportunity for the local stars to gain valuable track time and points in an attempt to capture the 2006/07 Speedway City Track Championship.

 The action packed season will kick off on October 28 with an all section program that will include the ever popular V8 Super Sedans, AMCA Nationals, Street Stocks and Junior Sedans. The Sprintcars will also be present although they will only be performing hot laps in preparation for the Australian Sprintcar Masters on November 4.

 As it has done since 1985 the Masters will signify the start of the official Sprintcar season in South Australia and with the World Series beginning in Western Australia less than a week later a top class field can be expected. The Masters will also double as round 1 of the Track Championship and the open cars will be supported by the 360ci Sprintcars, making this a night not to miss.

 Two weeks later another big crowd will be in the house with the running of round 3 of the World Series Sprintcars tournament on November 18. Once again the 360ci Sprintcars will support their open cousins so if you are a Sprintcar fan make sure you get your seat on the grassy mounds early.

December 2 will see the running of the second round of the Sprintcar Track Championship along with a Ramp Jump Race and Super Sedans. Later in the month the World Series Sprintcars will return for the opening round of “Speedweek” on December 26 with the awesome Formula 500’s also contesting the opening round of their “Oval Express Series”.   

A fun filled evening is planned for New Years Day with a “Kids Night” including a monster Fireworks display, a Caravan, Boat and Dunny Derby and Clarry the Clown to entertain the crowd. The on track action will include a club event for the Sprintcars along with a support program that will be finalized shortly. As the World Series will be running at Warrnambool on that night the Sprintcar events will not count towards the Track Championship. The month of January (the 13^th) will also include Round 3 of the Sprintcar Track Championship.

 February will be a hectic month for the local drivers with four nights of racing in three weeks beginning with the Australian Sprintcar Nationals on February 2 and 3. Last season the Sprintcar Nationals was one of the best meetings of the year and there is no doubt that Max Dumesny will return to defend his crown in 2007. Another club event has been scheduled for February 17 before the South Australian Championships for both 372ci and 360ci cars will be decided on February 24. This is great news for the class as the State 372ci Title hasn’t been held at the State’s premier venue since Max Dumesny captured his sixth title in 2002. The State Championships will double as Round 4 of the Track Championships.

 The month of March will see the final three nights of racing held with March 10 set to host an Expression Session for the Sprintcars along with Super Sedans, Juniors and Street Stocks. This event promises to be an exciting one for the race fans with the unpredictable Phil March an early favorite to take out the cash.

 A week later Australia’s best drivers will be back at the 430 metre venue to contest the Annual Sprintcar Stampede (Track Championship Round 5) with the Grand Final of the Track Championship taking centre stage at the venue’s final event on March 31.

 At this stage the full support program hasn’t been finalized but despite this the calendar looks as good as it has for many years. So if you are a fan of Sprintcar racing Speedway City is the place to be next summer for top class heart stopping action.