Start your engines for extended season
SPEEDWAY: Darling Downs speedway fans have just nine days to count down to the return of racing at Hi-Tech Oils Speedway Toowoomba.
And their patient wait for the new racing season to start will be repaid in spades with a huge program of events set to carry through until June next year.
The extended racing schedule will see 19 meetings run during the next ninth months under the management of new Toowoomba Speedway events co-ordinator John Kelly.
Sprintcar racing will feature heavily during the Toowoomba season.
The action begins on Saturday week with The Carnival of Power — USC Sprintcars round one headlining a card featuring Formula 500s, wingless sprints and modified sedans on the support program.
Speedway Toowoomba media spokesman David Budden said driver and car preparations for the new year began during a track practice session last Saturday.
“We had about 50 cars line up for practice with Peter Lack setting the fastest times in the sprintcars,” Budden said.
“Nathan McDonald was fastest in modified sedans.
“It will be a long Toowoomba racing year and teams and drivers are busy planning their season schedule.”
Feature nights throughout the season include the Ultimate Pink Night on December 15.
The Australian V8 Dirt Modified and AMCA Car titles will be held over two nights on January 18 and 19.
The Queensland Sprintcar Championship will be held on May 4 and 5.
The Australian Micro Sprint Title will be decided the same nights.
“The highlights for me will be the Australian title for V8 dirt modifieds, the sprintcar title and our Ultimate Pink Night,” Budden said.
“I know Peter Lack in particular is aiming for a big season.
“He’s looking at 42 possible races.
“He plans to contest every race until Christmas and reevaluate things after that.
“His priorities will be the Australian title in Brisbane and Queensland title in Toowoomba.”