Borderline Speedway to host action-packed night of racing

19n Liam Camilleri  TBW Newsgroup

Steph Munnweb TBW Newsgroup
FLYING THE FLAG: Steph Munn will fly the flag for the Limestone Coast tonight at the Borderline Speedway when she lines up in the Formula 500 class in a full night of racing.

THE Borderline Speedway is set to erupt tonight with four classes of racing, including the South Australian Limited Sportsman championships.

Also on the card are the Formula 500s, the Super Sedans and for a special treat the Legend Cars are sure to put on an exciting spectacle.

The Sportsman’s are sure to provide plenty of action, with the SA title on the line and the first time back at the Borderline Speedway for around three years.

For the Limestone Coast there will be plenty to cheer for, with five drivers looking to defend their home turf.

Matt McCallum, Josh Aston, Kahn Aston, Josh Stevens and Damon Stevens will all hope to impress in their own backyard, but will face plenty of opposition in what appears to be a tough field.

Australia 1 Nathan Baker will be joined by Vic 1 Dillon Siely, to ensure the “local” racers do not have it all their own way.

Borderline Speedway president Cary Jennings said he expected an action-packed race after such a long absence from the venue.

“We have not had them here for about three years, so we put our hand up to help support our local drivers,” he said.

“Matt McCallum got SA 2 in Bordertown last year and ran well in the Vic titles, so he will be fast.

“The following night they will race for the Vic title in Hamilton, so it will be two big nights of racing for them.”

The only class without “local” representation will the Legend Cars, but Jennings is confident the category will put on a good show.

The bodywork of the cars is loosely based around 5/8th replicas of 1930s and 1940 road cars, with the same engine specifications to ensure the racing is fast and furious.

Unlike classic speedway sedans, these cars are not just there to put on a demonstration, but will be in full race mode.

Similar to the Aussie Race Cars seen regularly on tarmac events supporting Supercars, the older body styles add a touch of nostalgia, but under the bonnet it is all action.

They run a motorcyle engine and have been popular in the USA, making big inroads into speedway racing here in Australia, especially in Queensland and NSW.

With the controls in place the racing is always close.

Jennings said he watched the Legends last year while in NSW and was impressed with the speed and the quality of racing.

“They are fast and competitive,” he said.

“There might be one or two cars stand out and provide very close racing.

“That’s what you look for in speedway.”

The Super Sedans are also set for a big night of racing, with Penola’s Dave Gartner flying the flag for the Limestone Coast, after finishing second to Ryan Alexander in the SA title on the weekend.

Last time the two faced off at the Borderline Speedway there was no shortage of action and Gartner will want to replicate his efforts on his home track where he claimed the re-run of the previous year’s state title.

Also in the mix will be Australia 1 Callum Harvey, along with the four Nicola boys, who are always on the pace.

“The Supers always put on a good show,” Jennings said.

“Young Ash Burgmeier is always in the top 10 in Australia when he goes to the titles.

“It is the same with Ryan Alexander and Dave Gartner.

“The Nicola boys have been around for a long time so I expect some great racing from them.”

To cap off what is a huge night of racing will be the Formula 500s, with Steph Munn in form and ready to tackle the “boys” on her home track.

She recently recorded her first win in the class at Avalon Raceway and will want to replicate that performance.

Munn’s pace has continued to improve and she is more than capable of taking the challenge up to the “boys” and provide some entertaining racing.

Likewise Jordan Mansell will want to make a splash at home, while Mitch Broome is expected to make an appearance in the Matt Wyers entry.

“We will have a good full night of racing,” Jennings said.

“We will have two heats each class then go into the finals.

“We will have four finals and I think they will all be action packed.

“These four classes can put on some really good racing and if they do, the crowd will go home pleased with the night.”

Racing is set to kick off with heats at 6pm.

LIMITED SPORTSMAN: SA1 Nathan Baker; V1 Dillon Siely; L4 Lindsay Trotter; 14 Jason Hurley; V15 David Dennison; MG21 Joshua Aston; MG22 Mark Stevens; HA23 Christopher Ansell; HA26 Craig Ansell; Ho40 Dean Baker; Ho44 Mark Shane McDonald; MG74 Damon Andrew Stevens; HA81 Kahn Aston; HA91 Shaun Hutchins; SA97 Matt McCallum.

LEGEND CARS: 2A Troy Bolton; 13A Ashley Hodak; 17N Keanu Da Palma; 18N Clinton McKenzie; 19N Liam Camilleri; 29N Nathan Moreau; 31N Cameron Jewell; 41N Glenn Mitchell; 47A John Egan; 53W Mike Gould; 55N David Browne; 59N Michael Parker; 62N Darren Fenner; 69N Nathan Camilleri; 74N Dalton Rowell; 75N Graham Keats; 97A Sean Rooney; 99A Luke King.

SUPER SEDANS: Aust 1 Callum Harper; SA1 Ryan Alexander; SA8/Vic1 Dave Gartner; SA22 Paul Blenkiron; SA93 Kym Jury; M47 Tyson Moon; NSW47 Darryl Moon; V2 Peter Nicola; V3 Mick Nicola Snr; V11 Anthony Nicola; V14 Brent Coleman; V16 Ash Bergmeier; V23 Mick Nicola Jnr ; S52 Michael Brown; V 22 Jason Picone.

FORMULA 500: S6 Joe Mercorella; S21 Richard Schmidt; S44 Steph Munn; S73 Brendan Zadow; S93 Mathew Weyers; V8 Michael Van Ginneken; V19 Leigh Van Ginneken; V29 Darcy Giblin; V47 Tim Rankin; V93 Will Carroll; S12 Jordan Mansell; S39 Dean Cottrell; S72 Corey Jones; S85 Austin McDonald; V2 Angus Hollis; V16 Michael Pearson; V23 Jason Loft; V32 Mathew Turner; V60 Alex Ross.