Wanless Chasing Fifty Lap Victory
Author : Archerfield Speedway
He reeled off a record ten consecutive Midget A-Main victories at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway to set a new standard in the Qld history books, eclipsing the mark of seven straight wins first set by Steve Howman way back in 1954/55 and matched by Bill Goode in 1966/67 in the process. Yet history will also show the last of those wins for Todd Wanless came in the opening Round of the Polar Ice Series this season, a dozen or so races ago.
Saturday night's Auto Upgrade Midget Fifty Lapper will be a perfect stage for Wanless to turn his fortunes around and post his second win of the season, for this time it would be against two of the very best in the country in Mark Brown and Nathan Smee as well as against two very formidable New Zealand opponents in Michael Pickens and Michael Kendall.
All five of these drivers have won Midget Features at Archerfield this season but only have the one victory each which is short of this season's Polar Ice Series winner Brendan Palmer who has recorded three wins in Brisbane and heads into this weekend's event as the newly crowned Victorian Champion.
On two occasions this season, Wanless has also chased the tail of a blue Jack Berry Racing (JBR) Midget across the line in Polar Ice events at Archerfield, firstly behind Palmer in December and then Pickens during March. Jack and Todd may be mates but Todd won't be looking to do that for a third time tomorrow night. And while his ten wins came with Hawk power up front, Wanless is leaving no stone unturned in his bid for victory this weekend and has reportedly switched to an Esslinger motor to match those of Brown, Smee, Pickens and Kendall.
Fifty laps can be a long way. Concentration and race fitness will be one of the keys to victory and given the number of laps he does at Archerfield each season in Sprintcar, Midget and Wingless Sprint racing, Wanless ticks both boxes. A potential $7000 pay day for any driver who can lead every lap and win the Auto Upgrade event is also a welcome and obvious incentive.
It's a good field with Pickens, Brown, Smee, Kendall, Palmer, Adam Wallis, Brock Dean, Jeremy Hassell and Michael Harders amongst the starters. It's also a field that may just see Wanless lead them across the line at the end of fifty.
Saturday night's programme is also the final time fans will get to see the V8 Dirt Modifieds in action this season plus there's Wingless Sprint racing plus a host of support classes on the programme as well. Gates open from 4:00PM, early racing from 4:45PM with the main programme scheduled for a 6:00PM start.
Auto Upgrade Midget Fifty Lapper - Nominations:
Adam Wallis (NSW), Anthony Chaffey, Brendan Palmer, Brock Dean, Chris Singleton, Darren Vine, Jason Bell (NSW), Jeremy Hassell, Mark Brown (NSW), Mark George, Michael Harders, Michael Kendall (NZ), Michael Pickens (NZ), Nathan Smee (NSW), Robert Mackay, Rodney Harders, Sid Whitaker, Steve Swingler, Todd Wanless.
Event Information:
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Venue: Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway
Location: 63 Colebard Street West, Archerfield Qld
Adults: $25.00
Pensioners & Students (with Photo ID): $20.00
Teens: 13 - 15 yrs: $13.00, Children: 5 - 12 yrs: $6.00
Family Passes: $50.00 (2 adults + 2 children 12 yrs or under)
General admission gates open 4:00pm, early racing from 4:45pm, main programme from 6:00pm.
Parking is available at the track for $3.00. Racing finishes by 10.30pm.
Programmed events include: Auto Upgrade Midget Fifty Lapper, V8 Dirt Modifieds, Wingless Sprints, Stockcars, Sigmas and BIS Sedans.
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