It wasn’t that long ago that reigning Avalon Raceway Sprintcar track champion and current World Series Sprintcars champ James McFadden was touted as the next big thing in Australian Sprintcar racing. The quietly spoken former Alice Springs, now Brisbane based youngster excelled during last season romping away with the WSS, Speedweek and Avalon Raceway track championship plus numerous feature race wins. These results, coupled with some stunning results in America recently ensures the popular ace is one of the hottest properties in Sprintcar racing and he set to return to Avalon Raceway this Saturday night.
McFadden joins a superb list of drivers who have all qualified for the $10,000 to win Sprintcar Jackpot Invitational presented by CAT Rentals, set to be decided this Saturday night, October 13th at the Geelong venue.
Despite the Jackpot Invitational suffering a disastrous recent string of washouts (2010 & 2011) the Drew families continue to promote the event that was first introduced in 2009 with perennial crowd puller Max Dumesny being the popular inaugural winner.
This unique event sees every heat race and feature race winner from last season’s Sprintcar events qualify for the rich season opening Jackpot Invitational. With the field open to 32 drivers, this season 24 drivers that qualified last summer will compete plus the ‘Wildcards’ that will bolster the field.
Dumesny is a starter as are duel Victorian Sprintcar champions Robbie Farr and Stephen Bell while six time Australian Sprintcar champion Garry Brazier will join his Sydney teammate Matt Young as confirmed starters.
Track specialist David Murcott has also qualified and joins 25 year veteran Trevor Green who has been in the mix for every Jackpot Invitational since its inception. Green will also be joined by fellow South Australian’s Glen Sutherland and the ultra-fast Danny Pestka.
Track record holder Steven Lines adds plenty of luster to an already impressive list of entries while local heroes Brett Milburn, John Vogels, Time Rankin, Domain Ramsay, Mike Van Bremen and Nick Lacey are all among Saturday’s entrants.
There is no question the aforementioned drivers rate as some of the sports heavyweights who will all be intent on taking home the $10,000 first prize.
The V8 Dirt Modified’s will be on hand as the support act with the spotlight firmly on some of Australia’s finest Sprintcar racers who will compete in this weekend’s season opening event at Avalon Raceway.
Public gates open at 3:30pm this Saturday afternoon with Sprintcar engine starts and hot laps beginning at 6pm.
Admission:
Adults $30
Concession $25
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
