McFadden Fires First Shots In Australian Open
Author : Archerfield Speedway
Reigning World Series Sprintcars Champion and current Series point leader James McFadden fired the first shots in what is shaping to be an epic battle for the Australian Sprintcar Open - presented by Performance Wholesale - at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway in Brisbane this weekend, the talented youngster outpacing a high quality field to win the Friday night Preliminary Feature ahead of Donny Schatz and Andrew Scheuerle.
McFadden threw out the challenge early by setting quick time with a very respectable 11.536s lap of the 1/4 mile raceway to edge out American Jack Dover (11.623s), Luke Dillon (11.631s), Brooke Tatnell (11.644s), Dave Murcott (11.675s) and Schatz who turned an 11.679s lap for the sixth quickest time of the thirty-three car field.
Qualifying Heat race wins went to David Muir (2), Shane Stewart (3), Andrew Scheuerle, Darren Jensen (2) and Daniel Pestka with Ricky Maiolo and Todd Wanless the two major retirements from the Heat races after both crashing heavily in sepate incidents.
While McFadden reaped the spoils of the Preliminary Feature win, it is Schatz who leads the overall qualifying points heading into night two of the Open with 113 points, just two ahead of McFadden who in turn holds an eleven point break on David Murcott. Ironically it is Brooke Tatnell and the man who now drives for the Krikke team in his place, Tim Kaeding, who fill fourth and fifth in points (99-97) with Scheuerle the next best on 95 points and still well in contention for a top four spot in the Shootout.
Racing continues at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway tonight January 5 with the fifty lap, $20,000 to win World Series Sprintcars Australian Sprintcar Open and the Australian Modlite Championship Final on the programme.
World Series Australian Sprintcar Open - Preliminary Feature Results:
1. James McFadden, 2. Donny Schatz (USA), 3. Andrew Scheuerle, 4. Brooke Tatnell, 5. Tim Kaeding (USA), 6. Grant Anderson, 7. Luke Dillon, 8. Jason Johnson (USA), 9. David Murcott, 10. Robbie Farr, 11. Cameron Gessner, 12. Peter Lack, 13. Shaun Dobson, 14. Shaun Bradford. DNF: Jack Dover (USA), Kyle Hirst (USA), Danny Reidy, Steven Lines.
Complete event results - http://www.brisbanespeedway.com.au/results.asp In-depth World Series Sprintcars race reports - www.worldseriessprintcars.com.au
Australian Modlite Championship - Preliminary Feature Results (Top Ten):
1. Michael Kendall, 2. Anthony Chaffey, 3. Luke Whitehill, 4. James Cowling, 5. Merv Tennant, 6. Ben Grice, 7. Leroy Martin, 8. Clayton Woodford, 9. Phil Finney, 10. Brian Gardner
Next Event:
Date: Saturday, January 5, 2013 Venue: Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway Location: 63 Colebard Street West, Archerfield Qld
Adults: $35.00 Pensioners & Students (with Photo ID): $28.00 Teens: 13 - 15 yrs: $15.00, Children: 3 - 12 yrs: $10.00 Family Passes: $80.00 (2 adults + 2 children 12 yrs or under)
General admission gates open 4:00pm, early racing from 4:30pm, main programme from 6:00pm. Parking is available at the track for $3.00. Racing finishes by 10.30pm.
Programmed events include: World Series Sprintcars Australian Sprintcar Open (Heats, ShootOut, Last Chance Qualifiers, Fifty lap, $20,000 to win Final), Australian Modlite Championship (Heats, ShootOut, B-Main, Final).
