THE much-anticipated Kings Challenge will roar into life at the Borderline Speedway on Australia Day next week, with close to 70 cars nominated for the 29th running of the event.
Not only has it attracted a strong group of Australian drivers, but a group of Americans keen to take the title back home.
Of those Americans, there are two of the top five from last year’s World of Outlaws series to add to the excitement of the night.
Sheldon Haudenschild will make his long-awaited debut at Mount Gambier aboard the Jack Lee Racing V25 while Carson Macedo returns in the Dyson Motorsports #99.
Cory Eliason, who has been in white-hot form over in Western Australia, also returns in the Diamond Bay Motorsport #26, while Monte Motorsports make a welcome return to the Borderline Speedway with Tyler Courtney aboard the #17.
Courtney has claimed several victories over in WA.
Carson Macedo’s brother Cole is also in the field aboard the Mark House owned T14, fresh from a podium finish at the Australian Sprintcar Open at Archerfield.
Chase Randall has impressed on his Australian tour so far and will look for a solid result.
He will be better off from the run at Borderline Speedway back in December, where he showed plenty of pace.
Brock Zearfoss will make his Borderline Speedway debut aboard the #95 out of WA, as will Justin Sanders, who has shown impressive speed up north at Archerfield and was on the podium at Lismore last week.
He will be one to watch in the immaculate Motorguard machine out of Queensland.
The Australian contingent is almost as strong as an Australian Title, with the heavy hitters in Sprintcar racing all looking for the $10,000 first prize.
Current Australian champion Marcus Dumesny will look to add to his silverware, while James McFadden returns aboard the Napa Auto Parts #5 for Hodges Motorsport.
Kerry Madsen also makes a welcome return with Krikke Motorsport, along with Speedweek and Australian Open champion Jock Goodyer, Jamie Veal, Ian Madsen, Brock Hallett, Lachie McHugh, Matt Egel, Rusty Hickman, Callum Williamson, Matt Dumesny, Grant Anderson, Cody Maroske. Brock Hallett, Luke Dillon and Tate Frost.
Brooke Tatnell will also make his return to Mount Gambier for Dobson Motorsport out of Tasmania.
Local drivers Steven Lines, Glen Sutherland, Scott Enderl as well as Daniel Pestka for SP Racing will all be keen to impress on the biggest night of the season at the Borderline Speedway.
South Australia and Victoria are well represented, with the likes of Ben Morris, Lisa Walker, Hayden Pitt, Ryan Jones, Joel Heinrich, Brendan Guerin and Max Vidau, going head-to-head with Jye O’Keeffe, Peter Doukas, Bobby Daly, young gun Jett Bell, Supercars star Cameron Waters plus many stars from NSW also making the trek south for the night before the Warrnambool Classic.
There are several Queensland young guns in the field also who will be keen to stamp their authority in the form of Randy Morgan, Nicholas Whell, Taylor Prosser and Jy Corbet.
The night will be well supported by State Of Origin Wingless Sprints SA v Vic, with 20 cars set to take to the track for bragging rights.
Gates open for pre-purchased online tickets at 2:30pm, while walk-up ticket sales open from 3:30pm.
Engine starts and qualifying kick off from 5pm.
