from Premier Speedway
Warrnambool Australia | Oct. 28, 2013 - Despite the fact that the calendar hasn’t even turned over into November yet, the Classic nomination list continues to grow, with 30 drivers and teams having already nominated to contest the three night 2014 Lucas Oil Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
The latest round of nominations have filtered through and the big names continue to roll in with a couple of genuine American Stars set to ply their trade at Sungold Stadium, Premier Speedway, Warrnambool come January 24, 25 & 26.
Returning to the Classic having been forced to witness it from afar over recent years is Brad Sweet, who will team up with Ruhs’ Racing from Broken Hill in what will be a genuine tilt at Classic glory.
Sweet has been running regularly, or at least when his NASCAR Nationwide Series commitments permit, for Kasey Kahne Racing in the Ollie’s Bargain Outlets 49 car. His 2013 season has been highlighted by a victory in the famed Kings Royal at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway in Ohio, while he also qualified directly into the Knoxville Nationals A-Main, being credited with a 13th place finish.
When contacted recently Sweet was upbeat and somewhat excited to be returning to the Classic in 2014.
“I'm just really excited to get back to the Warrnambool and the Classic, it has been a few years now since I was there. The Ruhs’ Family are giving me a great opportunity and for that I am very thankful”, Sweet said
“It's been cool to watch how big the Classic has become and hopefully we can give the Aussie boys a run for their money!”, Sweet added in an ominous message for entrants planning on collecting the $30,000.00 winners cheque.
Brad Sweet’s assault on Classic glory will be made possible by the tremendous support of Highrace 24 Hour Towing, P & K Ruhs Automotive, Blackbeard Pty Ltd and Factory Kahne.
Joining Sweet in the Classic field will be another fan favorite at the Classic Randy Hannagan.
Hannagan will be driving for Western Australia’s Matt Muir in what will be a more than competitive ride for the highly respected American.
The 1999 Australia – America Challenge Cup winner most recently contested the Classic for Warrnambool based car owner David Hetherington back in 2008, collecting the Skwid Signs Hard Charger award along the way.
Hannagan is another who showed excellent from at stages throughout the year, with the barometer stating he finished a very respectable 14th in the B-Main at the Knoxville Nationals, whilst also qualifying for the 360 Nationals A-Main.
The Hurricane, as he is affectionately known, spent a month with Muir Motorsports in 2013 contesting a number of high profile events in Western Australia, so by the time the team is re-united for the Classic in 2014 the sky’s the limit for the hard charging Hannagan who now calls Pittsboro Indiana home.
The 2014 Muir Motorsports entry will be backed by MMS Civil Pty Ltd WA, South West Conveyancing, Warrnambool, Genesis Shocks and Kenny’s Components.
Joining the two Americans in the latest batch of nominations are Tasmanian Mark House, who contested the entire World Series Sprintcars schedule in 2012-13 and Warrnambool’s Jamie Veal who will embark on that very same journey this coming 2013-14 season.
Whilst opting not to contest the WSS circuit this season, House is sure to be a regular visitor to the main land, thus holding him in good stead ahead of the 2014 Classic.
Once again this year House will enjoy great support from Statewide Turbo’s and Diesel Injection and Tall Timbers.
Veal on the other hand will embark on the WSS Tour as a contracted driver for the first time aboard his familiar V35 entry.
It should also be remembered that Veal finished a very impressive fifth in the 2013 Classic final, albeit aboard the Dave Doherty owned, Tim ‘Moth’ Gleeson wrenched J&J, as opposed to his usual family based ride.
With another Northern summer excursion to the United States under his belt, Veal will most definitely be one of the drivers to enjoy the strong local support that infiltrates Premier Speedway at Classic time.
Veal will be backed by long time supporters Mototech, Heytesbury Stockfeeds, Lucas Oil, PWR, Oval Express Magazine and SWI Engineering.
The second of the lady racers to nominate for Classic duty is Victoria’s Rhiannon Burleigh who joins Kristy Ellis in the field.
Burleigh has slowly but steadily progressed her Sprintcar career and with great support from Dawson’s Australia, Leahy Art Design, Colortech, Brotec, Elly Lukas Mancine Professionals, BTP Communications and Ability Press, this will again be an exciting weekend of racing for the former Junior Sedan racer.
Rounding out the most recent of nominations is a pair of hard charging Victorian’s, Darren Hickman and James Hennessy.
Hickman’s rise amidst the ultra tough Victorian domestic racing scene, whether it be in 410 or 360 competition has been dramatic as he is now regarded very highly by his peers.
Hailing from Kangaroo Flat, near Bendigo, Hickman brings to the table a wealth of Speedway experience and a fierce desire to succeed.
Again with support from Tasco Petroleum, Mobil, Beeps Auto Parts, Victory Lane Race Gear and Hickman’s Tree Maintenance of Bendigo, the V40 machine as piloted by Hickman will be a tough commodity come Classic weekend.
Hennessy whilst not having the experience of Darren Hickman, is another constantly elevating his standing in the sport of Sprintcar Racing.
The young Victorian who hails from Langwarrin will again enjoy strong support from Hennessy Transport, Parr Motorsports, Lower Norton Transport, Interlease and ADTrans.
So with qualifying spots in the World Challenge to be held at Knoxville next August up for grabs and with the revamped Knoxville Nationals qualifying format, the Classic is continuing to attract some of not only Australia’s but also the World’s best to Warrnambool.
The 42nd Lucas Oil Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic and supported by Oval Express Magazine, GJ Gardner Homes, KRE Race Engines and the Lady Bay Resort, Warrnambool will be held at Premier Speedway on January 24, 25 & 26, 2014.
0 comments:
Post a Comment