“We hope that the fans come out to support us this weekend, we need all the support we can get this Saturday night.”
That’s the simple message from Avalon Raceway promoter Jeff Drew as he along with the entire Drew family hope to wash away the recent memory of the worst start to a race season in the venues 35 year history. Almost 40 Sprintcars have nominated for the 42nd Sprintcar Fireball Derby and they are all hoping for favourable conditions this Saturday night, December 11th.
Having completed only one meeting so far this season (Oct 2nd), the past four in succession have all been washed out due to the above average rain in recent weeks. Some of the venues major events have been lost to the weather including the Sprintcar Jackpot Invitational back in October.
“I don’t know what we do if this one doesn’t go ahead,” said Jeff.
“Everyone is keen for a run and it’s been devastating for everyone involved. This Saturday night we have got a great field nominated for the Fireball Derby and this also starts the Essendon Ford Sprintcar premiership.”
Last season Matthew Reed drove away a brand new Ford Fiesta when he won the Avalon Raceway Sprintcar track championship. The prize is on offer again this summer and without a round completed, drivers will be keen to lock away as many valuable points as they can.
“John Vogels is the defending Eureka Series champion and I know he wants to win the car. Grant Anderson has won a number of events here and is always quick while Mike Van Bremen also won multiple features here last summer so the competition will be pretty intense,” explained Jeff.
Eureka Sprintcar Series regulars Brett Milburn, Darren Mollenoyux, Domain Ramsay and Nick Lacey will also face tough opposition from Allansford’s Stephen Bell who finished runner up in the Australian championship last May.
“There really is no form guide since there has been very little racing here but guys like Domain Ramsay won a feature in Adelaide earlier in the year. Grant Anderson has been doing some travelling and Nick Lacey finished on the podium last weekend in Adelaide,” said Jeff.
Interstate racers such as Sydney’s Daryl Campbell and South Australian’s Dylan Jenkin, Andrew Cox and the speedy Daniel Pestka will also join the mix this weekend. New South Welshman and Eddie Lumbar and Mount Gambier’s Glen Sutherland are series regulars and will also make the trip to Avalon Raceway.
Street Stocks and Junior Sedans will also make up what promises to be an action packed program this Saturday night.
Public Gates open at 3pm and the racing action will begin at the usual time of 7pm.
Admission:
Adults $25
Concession $20
Child 12-16 $10
Child 5-11 $5
Child Under 5 Free
Website; www.avalonraceway.com
For more info contact Jeff Drew 0418 160 985 / Gavin White email gwxp@speedway.net.au