Speedway Rising Star

VEAL BACK IN VICTORY LANE AT LATROBE

Monday, 5 February 2018 3:55:40 p.m.

Krikke Motorsport’s Jamie Veal has claimed his first QSS World Series Sprintcars win of the season at for round 9 at Latrobe, slightly closing the points gap on series leader James McFadden who drove from the B Main to salvage 10th.

Fellow Warrnamboolian Darren Mollenoyux backed up his win last night with an impressive runner-up result, while Adelaide’s Brad Keller claimed third for his first WSS podium of the season.

Veal’s return to victory lane began by qualifying 7th while West Australia’s Jason Pryde collected his first ever Revolution Racegear Quicktime as the only driver to circulate under fourteen seconds on a racetrack that was already taking rubber.

Veal showed his form in the first heat of the night when he passed four cars in one move to win emphatically, backing it up with a 4th in the second round, and advancing to pole in the gold shootout.

The Transport Equipment Hire #W2 led from start to finish in the 30 lap feature race, while the remaining positions were shuffled between Mollenoyux, Keller and Steve Lines who traded blows for the first half of the race.

Jye O’Keeffe claimed the Hoosier Hard Charger award advancing from 13th to 7th.

The series remains in the Apple Isle for round 10 at Solo Hobart Speedway next Saturday before heading across the Nullarbor for the Western Swing the following weekend.

Photo: Angryman Photography

“MOLLY” CLAIMS BREAKTHROUGH WSS WIN AT LATROBE

Monday, 5 February 2018 3:47:10 p.m.

Warrnambool’s Darren Mollenoyux has claimed his first ever QSS World Series Sprintcars A-Main win in emphatic style at Latrobe’s Gulf Western and Independent Oils Raceway, Tasmania.

“Molly” started the night qualifying in second behind 16-year-old Jock Goodyer who became the first ever Tasmanian to claim WSS Revolution Racegear Quicktime at the venue, with an impressive 11.457 lap on a very tricky and moist race surface.

Despite only placing ninth and fifth in his heats, Mollenoyux still qualified on pole for the 30 lap A-Main alongside crowd favourite in Tasmanian-native Shaun Dobson.

Sadly Dobson did not complete a full circulation after what seemed like a minor contact with James McFadden in the back straight damaged the left side of the car, sending the VA21 into a mid-corner spin and into the path of West Australian James Inglis that retired both cars instantly.

Mollenoyux was aggressive on the restart and was never headed, however a brutal cushion formed below mid track at both ends, catching out a lot of racers including Californian Dom Scelzi who took a major tumble after skipping the berm and crunching the front straight wall in lap five.

Mount Gambian Glen Sutherland held onto second until lap 19 when a failed attempt for the lead unsettled the car and opened a gap for McFadden to inherit the spot through to the end, albeit with major damage to the front wing that would eventually completely fold over on the W17.

Lachlan McHugh also enjoyed a breakthrough podium result after originally starting from sixth, ahead of Steve Lines in fourth and Hoosier Hard Charger winner, Jamie Bricknall who advanced nine spaces to finish fifth.

Mollenoyux’s win bagged an impressive 326 points from the round, elevating him to seventh in the overall championship, while James McFadden banked 299 points to give him a substantial lead in the campaign to defend his crown.

The series remains at Latrobe for round nine tonight before heading to Hobart next Saturday to close out the series’ first visit to Tasmania since December 2010.

Livestreaming of the racing will begin at approximately 5pm EDST on worldseriessprintcarslive.com.au

SCHATZ DOMINATES AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Tuesday, 9 January 2018 11:58:36 a.m.

Nine-time World of Outlaws Sprintcars Series Champion Donny Schatz has once again regained his authority on the Australian Sprintcar Open with a dominant flag to flag win at Brisbane's Archerfield Speedway.

Schatz started on the front row outside of Kerry Madsen who was aiming for hat-trick after winning the two previous years but Schatz led the 50 lap contest from start to finish with only one caution brought on by a spin from Bryan Mann on lap nine.

Despite his best efforts, Madsen couldn't reel-in the North Dakota native who was able to maintain a six second lead for the majority of the race, claiming his 25th World Series Sprintcars A-Main win since his first victory in the series in Kalgoorlie in 1999.

"This is a great way to finish off our trip to Australia. The track was way more slick then I expected so it turned out to be vital to get a good start over Kerry.”

The remaining podium positions were decided somewhat controversially however, after Madsen was deemed to have made an illegal infield pass on Pennsylvanian Lucas Wolfe with a post-race ruling awarding Wolfe second place and Madsen relegated to 3rd.

"The chief steward made the right call there," Madsen said to the surprise of the huge crowd, "because on a track like that I had to try whatever I could to make a pass on Lucas and unfortunately I found myself across the bottom line. But this has been a massive few weeks for our team and they have worked extremely hard and I am so grateful to be on the podium and still having fun."

Wolfe was surprised about the ruling but thankful regardless. "Making the ruling after the race is a little bit different to what I am used to back in the States, but I am just pleased for everyone at Ayers Racing who gave me a great package for my whole Australian visit and I am really pleased to repay them with the podium on our last night in Brisbane."

Jamie Veal was the first World Series contracted driver home in fourth ahead of Californian Carson Macedo and defending series champion James McFadden. Lockie McHugh finished an impressive seventh ahead of David Murcott, Logan Schuchart and Darren Mollenoyux.

The QSS backed series resumes on Friday February 3 at Tasmania’s Gulf Western Independent Oils Speedway Latrobe for a double header weekend with two separate rounds at the same venue on Friday and Saturday.

Pic: Matthew Paul Photography

SCHATZ LEADS AMERICAN INVASION AT ARCHERFIELD

Thursday, 4 January 2018 12:54:13 p.m.

Reigning World of Outlaws Champion, Donny Schatz has led home fellow American Lucas Wolfe to claim round six of QSS World Series Sprintcars at Ausdeck Archerfield Speedway, Brisbane.

Schatz started the night timing second quickest behind Revolution Racegear Quicktime recipient Luke Oldfield, and moved forward in his heats to bank enough points to start from pole after winning the Gold Shootout.

Wolfe however started from the inside of the third row for the 30 lap final and had to work much harder for his podium finish, patiently displacing Jamie Veal, Luke Oldfield and finally Hobart’s Shaun Dobson to grab the runner up spot in the Ayres Racing #USA5W.

Dobson was the class of the Australians, graduating from the bronze shootout right through to second quickest in the Gold, rewarding him with a front row start beside Schatz.

Dobson held his own for three laps before a pass from Luke Oldfield, but then regained his spot until half race distance where Wolfe took over the second position.

Falling back into the clutches of Oldfield, the two traded blows for the remainder of the race swapping between third and fourth six times before Dobson cemented his claim on the final podium position with two laps remaining.

Schatz was never headed for the entire 30 lap journey, claiming America’s 20th World Series win at Archerfield, but was just as happy to talk of his Australian holiday in the post-race celebrations.

“This is great, being able to race at night while getting plenty of time at the beach during the day, so we’re having a ball and the win tonight just caps it off.”

Pennsylvanian Wolfe was quick to congratulate his team, but was philosophical about the runner up result.

“I thought we may have had something for Donny but to come away with second is a good result.”

Dobson however was suitably pleased with third, especially after a tough campaign in the latter part of Speedweek.

“Dad and Shane Finch have done a great job with the car and I haven’t been in the seat for quite a while, so to be on the podium in this calibre of drivers is great for our confidence and a really great result for our team.”

Luke Oldfield held on to fourth despite a final five lap charge from Kerry Madsen who’d advanced from ninth on the grid to fifth, with Logan Schuchart finishing where he started in sixth.

James McFadden got as high as fifth and as low as ninth after a quick pirouette on turn two just after midway in the race, but recovered to finish seventh ahead of Jamie Veal who had dropped from fifth to eighth after multiple battles.

Dave Murcott claimed ninth while Hoosier Hard Charger Carson Macedo moved from sixteenth to round out the top ten.

Kerry Madsen still leads the Championship ahead of McFadden by 85 points, while Jamie Veal has stepped up into the third position a further 305 points behind.

The series now remains in Brisbane and looks ahead to this weekend’s 22nd running of the Australian Sprintcar Open where Kerry Madsen will aim to defend his title starting on Friday night for the two night event.

MADSEN CONQUERS SPEEDWEEK WITH WARRNAMBOOL WIN

Wednesday, 3 January 2018 3:39:00 a.m.

Kerry Madsen has pocketed a $40,000 paypacket for KRE Speedweek with a dominant win in round 5 at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway.

Starting outside Speedweek points leader James McFadden on the front row, Madsen only took one lap to take control of the race before Ryan Jones’ engine failed and left him stranded in turn four in the path of the leading pair.

Madsen arrived first on the scene trying to avoid the #S63 as McFadden braked to avoid the melee only to stall and make enough contact with Madsen to push him into the rear of Jones.

Madsen was able to keep his American Racing/Keneric Healthcare entry alive despite the shunt, however McFadden was sent to the rear of the field for coming to a complete stop, effectively foiling his chances of claiming the $10k Speedweek bonus.

Dave Murcott retired on the next restart after front end contact with the turn 4 wall, while Carson Macedo also spun around with 29 laps to go, triggering another two stoppages where the same car lost a wheel cover and wore the consequences of bringing on the yellow lights and was sent to the rear of field for the stoppage.

Cory Eliason made his first impact of the week with a swift move on Jamie Veal on the restart, before a front-end collapse on the NQ3 sent Steve Lines into a violent roll down the back straight.

The major game changer however was for Jamie Veal when he made his way past Madsen before Jye O’Keeffe brought on the caution lights again in turn 3, sending the field back to the previous lap’s driver order, and Veal back behind Madsen for the restart

With just 6 laps remaining, Madsen was able to hold off the constant advances of Veal while Eliason defended his place from Darren Mollenoyux to claim third.

McFadden clawed his way back to eighth, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the points haul of Madsen, who later admitted that James had the car to beat on the night.

“That was such a shame for James to lose out like that because I think they had the car to beat, and he really deserves the win after a great week, but we’re happy to be up here and I’m very thankful to my crew who consistently give me a great car, because you need it at this level.”

Jamie Veal was surprisingly unenthused by his first podium result of the week, disappointed that reverting to a chassis that he’d driven to five-straight feature wins at the tail of last season still wasn’t able to do everything he wanted to do to track Kerry down.

“It’s disappointing but we’re heading in the right direction at least, so that’s something,” he said.

Cory Eliason was a picture of relief claiming third, which justified the complaints he’d made earlier in the week that something wasn’t right with the car.

“We spent a lot of time in the shop at Cool Chassis yesterday, replacing bars and finding a few issues that we hadn’t noticed, so this is a big relief to score a podium straight after making the changes.”

The 16 contracted teams now head north to Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway for round six of the QSS World Series on Wednesday night before taking on the two-night “Australian Sprintcar Open” on Friday and Saturday.

EGEL HOLDS OFF MADSEN FOR AVALON WIN

Wednesday, 3 January 2018 3:36:30 a.m.

South Australian Matt Egel has claimed his second career QSS World Series Sprintcars win with an impressive victory over Kerry Madsen and James McFadden at Avalon Raceway, Victoria.

Egel clawed his way back from time trialling 7th in his flight, but moved forward 5 positions in his heats to make the seventh spot in the Top 8 Shootout, and then timed quickest in all three stages to claim pole position for the A-Main.

Despite a great start however, Egel was constantly under threat, with McFadden passing Madsen on the first turn of lap 11 and then Egel in the following straight, before the caution lights illuminated for a spin from Brock Hallett in turn three, allowing Egel to return to the front for the restart.

The stoppage would become a curse for McFadden who would never get within striking distance again of the lead pair, as the track rubbered down into a single lane contest.

A front straight collision between Shaun Dobson and Brayden Parr with only three laps remaining was the only other incident in the race, and provided some hope to Madsen of a chance to outplay Egel on the restart. The reigning Australian Champion came close on the second last rotation, however Egel never faltered and held on for a landmark win.

“This is huge for me and the Downing Brothers. They work so hard and I just had to make sure I didn’t make a mistake because I knew that Kerry and James would jump on it straight away,” Egel said, elated with the win.

Kerry Madsen praised Egel’s efforts, revealing that all he could do was wait for him to make a mistake to have any chance of getting past.

“He’s a great driver and if he even slipped up once I was going to the stick it in there, but he was too smooth tonight and I’m really rapt for the Downing Brothers, because they work so hard and this win is fully deserved.

Egel’s $10,000 win was the first WSS win for the Downing Brothers, and now places him third in the KRE Speedweek points table on 1038 points, with James McFadden leading on 1172 points ahead of Kerry Madsen on 1129.

The QSS World Series Sprintcars tour moves onto Warrnambool’s Sungold Stadium on January 1st for the Grand Final of KRE Speedweek, before heading north to Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway on Wednesday night for the “Sunshine Swing” that also includes the $20,000 to win Australian Sprintcar Open on the following Friday and Saturday.

FLAG TO FLAG WIN FOR MADSEN AT BORDERLINE

Wednesday, 3 January 2018 3:33:49 a.m.

Kerry Madsen added another $10k pay day to this week’s prizemoney tally with a dominant win at Mount Gambier’s Borderline Speedway.

The reigning Australian Champion timed third quickest in qualifying behind Ryan Jones and Jamie Veal, and was eligible for the Top 8 bronze shootout after finishing both heats.

He advanced from the Bronze with the quickest lap, and carried the form on the Silver and Gold Shootouts to steal pole position from James McFadden, Darren Mollenoyux and Jamie Veal.

The start of the A Main was halted by early spins from Dave Murcott and Brad Keller before Madsen and Mollenoyux came together on the restart, with Madsen’s right rear tyre dislodging Mollenoyux’s front axle, sending him careering across the track and into the path of Jamie Veal.

Veal restarted but Mollenoyux’s night was over, and the passionate #V52pilot certainly made it clear to Madsen of his distaste with the move, however an unfazed Madsen continued his domination through to the chequered flag, with James McFadden held at bay from start to finish to take second, and Lemoore, Californian Carson Macedo in third after starting 20th in his best showing this season.

The race as littered with incidents with Jamie Veal retiring infield with a steering issue and Keller, Harding, Egel and Scelzi all falling victim to an uncharacteristic spin from Jason Johnson that left the surrounding racers with nowhere to go.

Tim Van Ginneken showed good speed early and may have had a challenge for James McFadden, however an unknown breakage sent the #V36 hard in to the turn 2 wall and ending his night.

Post-race, Madsen offered an apology to Mollenoyux in his victory speech, unsure of whether it was his fault or a simple “racing incident,” but then chose to focus on his crew who had worked tirelessly to retrieve the team’s spare car from Warrnambool over night after the Murray Bridge incident that left him hanging off the fence.

McFadden was philosophical about his runner up result, but conceded that was very little he could do but try and stay as close as possible to the back of the #A1.

Macedo however was elated, claiming the Hoosier Hard Charger Award with his 16 car passing haul, proudly displaying the talent that won him the King of the West Series in 2015 in his native California.

The tour receives a well earned break today before embarking on Avalon Raceway In Lara, Victoria for the fourth round of the tournament.

MADSEN LIVID WHILE MCFADDEN TRIUMPHS AT MURRAY BRIDGE

Wednesday, 3 January 2018 3:31:45 a.m.

A controversial incident between reigning Australian Sprintcar Champion Kerry Madsen and Victorian hotshot Tim Van Ginneken has brought a premature end to the A Main at the second round of QSS World Series Sprintcars at Murray Bridge, South Australia.

James McFadden claimed a convincing win over Louisianan Jason Johnson and Matt Egel after the race was declared with just 3 laps remaining, with the clash between Van Ginneken and Madsen leaving the Australia #1 car tangled in the catch fence in turn one.

Madsen had driven from 15th after coming from the B Main all the way to battle for 5th with Van Ginneken who had gradually slipped back after leading the first 12 laps from his front row start alongside McFadden.

At lap 32 however, Madsen drove around the V36 and tucked into turn one to close the door, however Van Ginneken fought to keep the position, making heavy contact and catapulting the A1 high into the catch fence and tangled in the mesh.

Madsen was quick to loosen his belts despite the car hanging off the fence, and wasted no time in exploding his frustrations on Van Ginneken as soon as was released from the wreckage.

“That’s the stupidest move I’ve ever seen at a speedway,” Madsen said, restraining himself from boiling over on the microphone, however TVG seemed unperturbed by his remonstrations.

“It’s not like Kerry’s never done that to anybody is it?” he responded, “so I’m certainly not going to lose any sleep over it.”

The controversy somewhat stole the limelight from a phenomenal race, with a track that became racey just at the right time of the night after being very heavy from an unexpected shower at the start of the evening.

“I wasn’t sure were going to get a racetrack like that after what it was like at the start, but hats off to the track crew because that was great fun,” a jubilant McFadden said after starting the night with Revolution Racegear Quicktime after a last-minute gear change by the crew on the infield to achieve some higher RPM.

Johnson was equally happy with his runner up result, taking him to the KRE Speedweek and WSS Championship points chase lead on 580 points, just four ahead of McFadden and Matt Egel on 557 points in third.

Jamie Veal was unable to take the start in the Krikke Motorsport TEH #2 with electrical issues taking the former champion to the infield before a lap had been turned.

The series heads to Mount Gambier’s Borderline speedway tonight for round three before a day off prior to round four at Avalon on December 30.

PICS: Courtesy of Stephen Pickering

MADSEN WINS A THRILLER AT THE BRIDGE

Wednesday, 3 January 2018 3:28:03 a.m.

Reigning Australian Sprintcar Champion Kerry Madsen has claimed a $10,000 purse in a thriller at Murray Machining and Sheds Speedway, Murray Bridge for the opening round of QSS World Series Sprintcars for 2017-18.

Madsen qualified 8th quick in his flight in the 45-car field, while South Australian stalwart Jamie Cobby claimed Revolution Racegear Quicktime overall but was let down by a collection of incidents in heat races relegating him to a fourth row start in the Main.

Louisiana’s Jason Johnson started from pole sharing the front row with Matt Egel, with impressive local Ryan Jones and Warrnambool young gun Jye O’Keeffe on the second row.

However, O’Keeffe ended his campaign in the first turn, catching the wall and rolling over, before Aidan Hall made a similar mistake in the same spot six laps later with 34 laps remaining.

Jones was relentless in his pursuit of Johnson, while Madsen was needling away from his third row start, dicing with Jamie Veal and Luke Dillon before finding some grip low on the exit of turn four and shooting to the front.

James McFadden was aggressively charging forward from his 11th starting spot, finally boiling over at the half way mark when he and Veal came together in turn one, with both spinning, but only McFadden able to keep his engine alive.

Veal unceremoniously restarted from the rear of field, and as the track began to lightly take rubber, he fell into the clutches of Madsen who ironically met him in lapped traffic with only a handful of laps remaining.

In the meantime, Ryan Jones had outsmarted Jason Johnson to take over second while Johnson held on to third, Matt Egel fourth and James McFadden rounding the top five.

“That was a great racetrack,” Madsen said in Victory Lane, “and it was just a case of trying to find what moisture was out there, and we just struck it at the right times.”

Jones echoed thoughts, but was torn between being disappointed with second and jubilant of a podium finish.

“Without being cocky, we came in confident, so to not quite get there is disappointing, but when you consider the calibre of this field, we’ll take second!”

Johnson labelled the race track as “a dream come true,” claiming that “riding the cushion in three and four was great fun, but we just didn’t have the speed to keep up with those boys, but this a great way to start the week.”

Cory Eliason claimed the Hoosier Hard Charger award, driving from 16th to 9th in the USA00 Devil Race Karts entry, while fellow Americans, Carson Macedo crashed out of the B Main and Dom Scelzi retired earlier in the night with a broken rear end that led to further issues.

The 31st World Series continues tonight at the same venue for night two of KRE Speedweek with another $10k on offer for the winner.

CBHS Corporate Health Partnership Announced

Thursday, 30 November 2017 2:14:05 p.m.

Speedway Australia and CBHS Corporate Health are excited to announce a new partnership to offer Speedway licence holders, their families and supporters a leading private health insurance solution.

CBHS Corporate Health works to improve the lives of its members by providing the best possible health and wellness solutions. It provides the level of service you expect for yourself and those closest to you. In 2017 it was recognised by CHOICE, reflecting the quality of its products.

Dario Molina, CEO and Executive Director of CBHS Corporate Health, said “I am excited about this new partnership with Speedway Australia. As organisations with a shared interest of looking after our stakeholders first, it represents a great synergy. I believe that we offer the best service and cover, and creating this partnership allows us to share this offering with its licence holders.”

Speedway Australia Chairman Guy Thompson was similarly enthused. "This is a fantastic partnership for speedway, and it's great that we can offer a fantastic deal to the sport from a leading health insurer. We also need to particularly thank Board member Damien McKern and the Speedway Australia staff for bringing this partnership to fruition."

As part of this new partnership, CBHS Corporate Health has a special introductory offer. Visit their website to find out more www.cbhscorporatehealth.com.au/speedway