Australian Super Sedan Championship; Six Straight For Qld?
Author : Archerfield Speedway
For the past five years in succession, the Australian Super Sedan Championship has been dominated by Qld based drivers not only in terms of victories but also podium finishes as well, and when the Supercheap Auto Australian Super Sedan Championship concludes this Sunday night at Archerfield the answer of whether it can be six straight will have been answered.
Darren Kane broke a ten year drought for Qld drivers when he won his first National Title in 2004 to match John McGeorge's efforts of a decade earlier, backing it up with another victory in 2009 to join Michael Gee (2007), Jamie McHugh (2008/10) and last year's winner Steve Jordan in bringing the trophy home to Qld over each of the past five years. But recognition must also go to Wayne Randall who finished third in the Title in 2007 and again in 2010 before the podium was an all Qld affair last year with Jordan, McHugh and Kane sweeping the results at Latrobe.
But it's not only the Australian Title where Qld drivers have held the upper hand over their southern counterparts with the National Super Sedan Series (NSSS) crown also being dominated by them since its inception. It too is an impressive record with Wayne Randall winning in 2006 and 2007, Michael Doblo in 2008, Darren Kane in 2009, Matty Pascoe in 2010 and Kane again in 2011. Put simply, the numbers might be in their favour but a Qld victory this weekend is anything but a foregone conclusion.
This year's NSSS Champion Brad Smith from Tasmania will be chasing his own slice of history as he strives to become the first Tasmanian driver to win the Australian Title/NSSS double. Dave Gartner (SA), Shane Best (SA) and Mick Nicola (Vic) also head into this weekend's Title event at Archerfield after finishing in the top six of the 2010/11 National Super Sedan Series and cannot be overlooked.
The forty-five car field for the Championship is littered with even more prospective winners than those already mentioned, with drivers such as Wayne Brims, Jarrod Harper, Lachlan Onley and Matt Williams all eager to make their mark on the event and walk away with the number one on the door.
Thursday's practise sessions at the track, which are open to the public, will give some good indications as to who is on the pace from the get go and will be extremely valuable to the large contingent of interstate drivers competing in the Championship, some of who will be seeing the tight 1/4 mile raceway up close for the first time.
The Championship festivities continue on Friday night with traditional Dinner and Calcutta with the bulk of the qualifying events to be held on Saturday night ahead of the Championship Final on Sunday evening.
Australian Super Sedan Championship - Nominations:
Ash Bergmeier (Vic), Barry Craft (Qld), Bevan Collins (Qld), Brad Smith (Tas), Callum Harper (Tas), Craig Torr (Qld), Dale Christenson (Qld), Darren Kane (Qld), Darren Saunders (Qld), Dave Gartner (SA), Dempsie Pails (Qld), Desmond Korn (Qld), Digger McCallum (Qld), Dustin Higgs (WA), Gary Higgs (WA), Gary Pagel (Qld), Ian Brims (Qld), Jack Childs (Qld), Jarrod Harper (Tas), Jason Campbell (Qld), Jye O'Brien (Qld), Lachlan Onley (NSW), Lee Wilson (Qld), Lyall Fisher (Qld), Mark Pagel (Qld), Matt Pascoe (Qld), Matthew Williams (Qld), Michael Doblo (Qld), Michael Hally (Qld), Mick Nicola (Vic), Mick Nicola Jr (Vic), Paul Geary (Qld), Peter Nicola (Vic), Robert Bawdon (WA), Scott Galea (Qld), Sean Black (Qld), Shane Best (SA), Steve Jordan (Qld/Aust 1), Steve Pearce (Qld), Steven Latham (Tas), Tony Barklimore (NSW), Trent Wilson (Qld), Wayne Belk (Vic), Wayne Brims (NSW), Wayne Randall (Qld).
Event Information:
The Australian Super Sedan Championship at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway is a multi-day event and includes practise sessions open to the public, qualifying races and the Championship Final. Tickets are also available to the "Calcutta" event to be held on Friday evening, details available through the Super Sedan website at supersedan.com.au
Online ticketing is available for this event through the Speedway's website at brisbanespeedway.com.au (Visa and MasterCard accepted - online ticketing facility available until 2:00PM race day) with pre-purchased ticket holders admitted to the grounds prior to ticket boxes opening on Friday and Saturday. ATM machines will be onsite at this event, note there are no EFTPOS or credit card facilities at the venue.
For fans travelling to Brisbane for the Australian Super Sedan Championship, the Comfort Inn And Suites Robertson Gardens is only minutes from the Speedway, offers exceptional service and facilities and is the venue of choice for many leading teams when staying in Brisbane. For bookings, please call toll free 1800 777 374 or visit robertsongardens.com.au
Thursday May 3, 2012 (Practise):
Pit Admission: $20.00
General Admission: $10.00
Children: 5 - 12 yrs: Free
Gates open 3:00pm, practise from approximately 5:00PM to 8:00PM
Saturday May 5, 2012 (Night 1 - Qualifying):
Adults: $25.00
Pensioners & Students (with Photo ID): $20.00
Teens: 13 - 15 yrs: $13.00, Children: 5 - 12 yrs: $8.00
Family Passes: $60.00 (2 adults + 2 children 12 yrs or under)
General admission gates open 4:00pm, early racing from approximately 4:30pm, main programme from 6:00pm.
Parking is available at the track for $3.00. Racing finishes by 10.30pm.
Programmed events include: Australian Super Sedan Championship (Qualifying), AMCA Nationals, ASCF Junior Sedans and Open Sedans.
Sunday May 6, 2012 (Night 2 - Championship Final):
Adults: $30.00
Pensioners & Students (with Photo ID): $25.00
Teens: 13 - 15 yrs: $13.00, Children: 5 - 12 yrs: $8.00
Family Passes: $70.00 (2 adults + 2 children 12 yrs or under)
General admission gates open 4:00pm, early racing from approximately 4:30pm, main programme from 6:00pm.
Parking is available at the track for $3.00. Racing finishes by 10.30pm.
Programmed events include: Australian Super Sedan Championship (Final), Fireworks, Midgets, Formula 500s, Stockcars and Ford vs. Holden Sedans.
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