Sport
24 January, 2024
Ready to rumble
THE stage is set for three nights of heart-racing action at Premier Speedway for the running of the 51st Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
Thousands of diehard race fans will make their annual pilgrimage to the race track today to claim their spot trackside in readiness for on-track action from 5.30pm.
Anticipation and excitement have been building this week among fans and drivers, with talk centred around who will be standing on the podium come the end of Sunday night’s A-Main.
With just over 100 cars entered for the event, the field features a stacked line-up of talented drivers vying for the chance to win the $40,000 prize money and the highly-sought after title of ‘Classic’ winner.
Night one (tonight) will see defending ‘Classic’ champion Brock Hallett in action in his quest to secure back-to-back victory.
Hallett will face formidable competition from Americans Chase Randall, Rico Abreu and Aaron Reutzel.
Warrnambool local Jamie Veal, a track specialist at Premier Speedway, will also be among the drivers on track tonight, hoping to add to his 2016 Classic title.
Veal has been a consistent force in Victoria over the last decade while securing a national championship.
Tonight’s line-up features a mix of seasoned champions and emerging stars.
Rico Abreu returns to Australian soil, bringing an impressive resume as a two-time Chili Bowl Champion and will no doubt have a strong crowd following.
Support will also run deep for the likes of Corey McCullagh, Kerry Madsen, Domain Ramsay, Jack Lee, Grant Anderson and Peter Doukas.
Night two is also jam-packed with talent and includes Americans Justin Peck, Sheldon Haudenschild and Brock Zearfoss who will all be out to claim their spot on the final night line-up.
Jock Goodyer, Lockie McHugh, Jy Corbett, Ricky Maiola, James Inglis, Chad Ely, Carson Macedo and Marcus Dumesny are among 53 drivers who will see night two action.
Off-track there will also be plenty to see and do in and around Warrnambool, including at the Warrnambool Showgrounds where thousands of race fans of all ages are expected to enjoy Saturday’s free Fan Appreciation Day.
The day will begin at 10am and will give supporters the chance to meet some of the stars, have autographs signed and purchase merchandise.
Gates at Premier Speedway open at 2pm each day, with pit admission from 10am.
On-track action will get underway at 5.30pm for nights one and two, while night three (Sunday) will see engine starts from 5.15pm.
