Another huge field of Sprintcars has readied themselves for Saturday night’s Fireball Derby at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway when the 44th edition of the storied event will be conducted in memory of Victorian speedway icon Bill Evans. Over 50 nominations have already been received for the Fireball Derby with a number of the sports finest signaling their intentions to compete this Saturday night which also carries points toward the Essendon Ford Sprintcar track championship.
October’s Sprintcar Jackpot Invitational winner David Murcott plus November’s Routley’s Stampede winner Steven Lines both figure amongst the entries while 2011 World Series Sprintcars champ Robbie Farr has retribution on his mind when he returns to Avalon this weekend. This event also carries Eureka Garages and Sheds Series points with the event doubling as round 5 of the domestic Victorian Sprintcar series.
During the Jackpot Invitational, Farr propelled himself to the lead of the $10,000 to win final only to get caught up in traffic allowing Murcott to shoot past and onto the eventual win. Farr’s success recently in Queensland ensures the popular ace will be among the contenders once again this weekend. The pair waged a titanic battle when the pair went head to head in the 2010 / 2011 World Series championship that would eventually fall to Farr.
Last season Farr enjoyed considerable success at Avalon when he won the President’s Cup pocketing 10k in the process before becoming joint Victorian champion when he dead heated with Stephen Bell during March’s Great Southern Showdown.
Avalon Raceway management are thrilled with the entry list and are keen to continue what has been an uninterrupted season thus far.
“We have been having a great run with the weather so far this season,” beamed Avalon announcer Brian Alexander.
“With the quality of drivers coming this weekend, Victorian Sprintcar fans are in for a treat while this time last year we were just getting 30 cars and for this Saturday night there’s 53 already nominated.”
Stephen Lines has continued his excellent form this summer with two wins and a runner up finish from his last three starts while the young Mount Gambier star currently leads the race in the Essendon Ford Sprintcar track championship. With a brand new Ford Fiesta up for grabs the track championship plus the increased prizemoney in the Eureka Garages and Sheds Sprintcar Series is just a couple of reasons the entries have swelled over the 50 car mark.
“There is extra prizemoney on the win for Saturday night while valuable points are on the line for the track championship and the Eureka Series, it’s a big night for so many reasons and with Santa making a special appearance it’s going to be a great family event,” said Alexander.
Eureka Sprintcar Series regular Brett Milburn has vaulted to the top of the series standings following the first four rounds while Darren Mollenoyux, Matthew Reed, Lines and Domain Ramsay round out the top 5. All have had their share of bad luck while they all know too well that consistency is the key to championship success and they will all be hoping for further strong results Saturday night.
Former track champion and current joint state champ Stephen Bell is also in the mix as is former Fireball derby winner Mike Van Bremen while John Vogels, Dennis Jones, Tim Van Ginneken and rookie Brad Warren are other draw cards.
With Super Rods also on the program the fans will have plenty to cheer about while public gates will open from 3:30pm with Sprintcars beginning their engine starts from 6pm, racing is set to commence at 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